Reading 3-0 Blackburn Rovers: Royals upset early Championship leaders

Substitute Lucas Joao sealed the victory for Reading in the second half

Reading bounced back from a heavy loss at the weekend with a dominant win over early Championship leaders Blackburn Rovers.

Defender Tom McIntyre nodded Tom Ince's corner past Thomas Kaminski to open the scoring early in the first half.

The Royals held the visitors at bay before the break with a fine midfield performance and pressing at every opportunity.

Reading midfielder Tyrese Fornah and defender Tom Holmes both came close to extending the lead before half-time but their efforts were cleared off the line.

Looking for a spark to ignite his side, Blackburn manager Jon Dahl Tomasson made three changes to start the second half and they began brightly.

Rovers best chance of an equaliser saw an Ashley Phillips effort tipped over the bar by Joe Lumley. The Reading goalkeeper had retained his place in the starting line-up despite a couple of howlers in the 4-0 defeat at Rotherham on Saturday.

Reading continued to press and had missed a couple of chances to double their lead before midfielder Junior Hoilett smashed an unstoppable shot from a tight angle off the underside of the bar to make it 2-0.

Rovers' star striker Ben Brereton Diaz was quiet and unable to break through Reading's back four.

Substitute striker Lucas Joao put the game to bed with a well-worked goal from inside the box to give Reading a deserved three points and their second league win of the campaign.

Blackburn remain top despite the end of their winning start to the season.

Reading manager Paul Ince told BBC Radio Berkshire

"I loved the performance from the players after Saturday's disappointing loss.

"I said to the lads I need a response from you and you have to give it 110% tonight. Every player was 9 out of 10 and we showed that we are a very good side.

"The fans have been great especially with Joe Lumley after his performance at the weekend. He was devastated Saturday night and I told him to 'put the game to bed and have a glass of wine and move on' - he had a terrific match.

"It's our best performance since I've been manager."

Blackburn Rovers manager Jon Dahl Tomasson told BBC Radio Lancashire

"I hate losing, players hate losing, our fans hate losing.

"We need a reaction on Saturday.

"We have made a lot of good steps forward so far this season. But this was a step backwards."