Birmingham City 1-2 Reading: Jahmari Clarke double snaps Royals losing streak in comeback win
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Jahmari Clarke scored twice in 12 minutes on his 10th league appearance, all as a substitute
Jahmari Clarke's second-half double helped Reading fight back to beat Birmingham at St Andrew's and snap a four-game Championship losing streak.
After a delayed kick-off due to electrical issues at the ground, Blues quickly hit the front when Scott Hogan pounced on Liam Moore's loose backpass to round Royals goalkeeper Luke Southwood and slot into an empty net.
Reading improved and second-half substitute Clarke levelled with a powerful header from John Swift's cross to claim his first senior goal.
The 18-year-old striker then completed the turnaround, beating Blues keeper Matija Sarkic at the second attempt after Swift's initial shot was saved.
The match kicked off half an hour late at 15:30 GMT but Blues quickly made up for lost time as Hogan scored for a third match running, put on a plate by Moore's mistake.
Reading were without manager Veljko Paunovic, self-isolating after a positive coronavirus test, but recovered from their early setback, dominating possession and forcing the hosts into some heavy challenges as Harlee Dean, Marcel Oakley and Jeremie Bela all picked up bookings before the break.
The Royals had registered just one shot on target in their previous two matches, but stepped up the pressure on Sarkic's goal in the second half, with Swift blasting a shot straight at the keeper before laying on his seventh assist of the season for Clarke's landmark goal.
City almost restored their lead when Troy Deeney's glancing header from Bela's cross struck the far post.
But two minutes later Clarke capped a dream day with the winner after Andy Yiadom sparked a quick counter-attack.
Birmingham drop to 15th after their first defeat in five matches, while Reading climb to 16th thanks to a third away win of the season.
Birmingham City boss Lee Bowyer told BBC WM 95.6:
"We didn't look as sharp today, but we are down to our bare bones and the players tried. I can't fault them, they gave everything like they always do.
"We just lacked a bit of quality at times, but Troy (Deeney) has hit the post before they score. If that goes in I think we win the game so it's fine margins.
"We switched off from a cross which hasn't been like us at all. I can't even tell you the last time that's happened to us.
"So there were some positives, two young players made their debuts, but to lose from a winning position, at home, it hurts a lot."
Reading manager Veljko Paunovic, managing remotely, told BBC Radio Berkshire:
"I'm feeling very well. I had minor symptoms in the first couple of days and the last two days I've tested negative, but still I'm in quarantine at home and working with the team and staff from distance.
"At half-time I knew what we had to do. I believed we needed a boost of energy. I spoke to the group and told them what the expectations were for the second half.
"The first half I wasn't happy even though we played well. It looked we were keeping it to 1-0 down and we were happy with that because we didn't attack with conviction.
"Bold decisions paid off in this case and I'm very pleased with the reaction. The guys did a fantastic job."