Peterborough United 1-1 Reading: Player Ratings

Joel Pereira: 7

Called into the action more as the first half went on, and made a fantastic desperation save in the dying minutes of the half, throwing himself to the ground as a cross reached the ground and was directed towards goal.

Made some fantastic plays on crosses in this game, finding important punches and catches when Reading needed to reduce the danger quickly.

Threw himself at a header early in the second half, deflecting what looked like a sure goal away from danger. Made a huge save in the 80th minue after Reading had conceded, throwing himself on the ground at a shot that Wing had allowed with a sloppy pass.

Andy Yiadom: 5

Started for the third game in a row in the right-back spot, and was useful as Reading built out a few times during their best period in the first half. Still a decent ball carrier, and professional when he defends but is starting to lose some pace, and can be sloppy with his passes.

Took his customary booking shortly after being moved over to left-wing-back when Reading switched shapes in search of the win. Withdrawn shortly after for Andre Garcia.

Paudie O’Connor: 6

Pretty solid on the ball today, better than he has been in recent weeks. The ball often made it out of O’Connor’s area in the first half before slowing down further up the pitch. Things got a little tighter in the second half, but overall showed more discipline, only going long twice.

Finley Burns: 7

Immense in the first half, using his body smartly to win back possession and guard Pereira well. The pick of the bunch was a last-second win in which Burns rolled a lurking attacker off his shoulders in a situation from which he surely would have scored.

Slid in to clear away a dangerous cross just before Peterborough’s equaliser, but didn’t get enough help from the left side when the cross came in from the other direction for the goal. Caught out in one of the closing plays of the game when he allowed the striker to get goal side of him and conceded a shot.

Looked absolutely exhausted in the dying stages of the game, going down with cramp.

Jeriel Dorsett: 7

Showed some strong one-on-one defending in the first half, winning the majority of his physical duels and stepping across players well to end periods of possession.

Sprung across the box to win the ball on the blindside from an attacker who was otherwise through on goal midway through the second half. Successfully won Reading seconds by kicking the ball out of Posh players multiple times when up against both the sideline and the goalline.

Made an absolutely vital block in second-half injury time, getting goal side of an attacker just as he was about to shoot into a gaping net.

Lewis Wing: 5

After the Boxing Day brace, December 29 saw a much quieter Lewis Wing performance, with one of his lowest touch totals of his entire Reading career (below 50).

He got the ball forward well a few times, lashing curled early crosses in Kyerewaa’s and Marriott’s directions, but overall was overrun by Peterborough’s three-man midfield and often arrived at the play a second after the ball had left.

Stung the goalie’s fingers with a long-range drive in the 93rd minute

Charlie Savage: 5

Took a nasty knock early in the game, crashing into the advertising hoardings. Swung the ball along the floor and through a seam into Marriott as part of the devised corner routine that led to Kyerewaa’s opener for Reading.

Like Wing, struggled with Peterborough’s midfield parking an eight on his doorstep for much of the game. Outperformed his pivot partner just slightly.

Mamadi Camara: 4

With Randell Williams, Paddy Lane and Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan all out, Camara got his first start under Leam Richardson. It’s tough to say the manager will be racing to return him to the squad.

Unable to get on the ball much at all, with one touch for every four minutes he was on the field. Made just one pass into and one pass within the Peterborough half

Kamari Doyle: 5

After his decent showing on Friday, Doyle looked exhausted in a more traditional 4-4-2 forward role today, often struggling to deal with Peterborough’s central six. Brought off in the second half.

Daniel Kyerewaa: 6

Provides a sense of threat to the opposition at all times, and again often found a lot of attention paid to him. Had the highest number of his passes completed within the Posh half of any Reading player today, and won a free-kick early with a slicing dribble inside.

In the right spot at the right time for Reading’s opening goal: clearly something that had been worked on at Bearwood. Stuck a foot out to redirect Marriott’s backheel across the net.

Occasionally not in the right place at the right time as Reading sought to build out, earning him the ire of O’Connor.

Played high up the field for much of the game, especially after Reading switched to a back five. Lurked right behind the centre-backs in the dying stages and almost broke through when a ball bobbled over the top.

Jack Marriott: 5

Smartly flicked the ball across the goal for Kyerewaa to tap home. Had the ball in the back of the net with a first-time finish at the end of the first half, but had drifted offside during the move.

Took an ill-advised shot in the 64th minute after not getting much service throughout the game and looked exhausted in the second half. Managed just 11 touches today as Reading struggled to find their frontman.

Subs

Liam Fraser: 6

Replaced Kamari Doyle to help Reading build a flatter midfield three. Made a fantastic sliding challenge to stop the Posh from putting it down the wing, swiveling the ball away from the attacker.

When Ritchie came on, Fraser became a big part of Reading fixing some of their midfield issues in the final 10 minutes.

Kelvin Abrefa: 5

Brought on for Mamadi Camara as Reading switched to a back five in the closing 20 minutes. Arrived behind two players for the Posh equaliser.

Won the ball well in injury time on the wing, but immediately lost it, took a man down and got himself booked on the edge of his area. Made a really strong tackle in Peterborough’s final attack of the game, snuffing out the danger.

Andre Garcia: 5

Sent to left-wing-back in place of Yiadom with the game at 1-0. Caught out by the pass that led to the cross for Peterborough’s first goal, not getting tight enough to his defender as the play switched sides.

Surged deep into the Peterborough half in the late stages with a lovely skip over a challenge, but couldn’t pick out a cross.

Mark O’Mahony: 5

Replaced Marriott with 15 minutes to go. Runs gamely out of possession to cover seams but the ball often seems to bounce off his feet if he does win it.

Matt Ritchie: N/A

Brought on in the closing stages for Savage, and played advanced of Wing and Fraser.

Made the most impact of any player in the 10 spot today, and helped Reading step up the field, slowing Peterborough’s momentum for most of the final 10 minutes. Would have got a 6/10 if he’d come on before the cutoff of 80 minutes.

Average: 5.53/10

Who was your MOTM against Peterborough? Vote below or through this link.