Championship
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Reading 0-1 Leeds United: Jack Harrison's winner sends Leeds top of the Championship

Jack Harrison scores
Jack Harrison's third goal in four games was the highlight of an uneventful game

Jack Harrison's late goal sent Leeds top of the Championship as they beat Reading in an uninspiring encounter.

Leeds broke from a Reading free-kick and Ezgjan Alioski found Helder Costa, whose deflected cross evaded the Royals' defence and allowed Harrison to head home at the far post.

The visitors dominated possession but created few clear-cut chances, although Patrick Bamford chested over from a teasing cross and Stuart Dallas struck the crossbar on 63 minutes.

Michael Morrison almost put Reading ahead midway through the second half, but his effort from six yards flew over after John Swift's ball caused confusion in the Leeds defence.

Leeds moved a point clear of West Bromwich Albion, who have a game in hand and face Bristol City on Wednesday.

Reading, who had taken 10 points from new manager Mark Bowen's first four games in charge, stay 18th, having lost for a second successive game.

The Royals could have gone ahead with the only chance of a poor first half when Yakou Meite's header from a corner was saved by Kiko Casilla.

But, while both sides only hit the opposition's target twice, Leeds did create more half-chances as they tried to break down a stubborn home defence.

Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa told BBC Radio Leeds:

"It was a tight match. They have good players and they are able to create danger even if they don't command the match.

"It's a signal of the maturity and experience of my team. In the second half we kept our intensity and we achieved the difference in this sense.

"Three dynamic players were involved in the goal; Alioski, Costa and Harrison. They have the ability to surprise the opponent and they did it with the last chance.

"When you are the top of the league, of course it is better than other positions. But it's also true that today it doesn't mean a lot."

Line-ups

Reading

Formation 5-3-2

  • 33Cabral Barbosa
  • 2Gunter
  • 5Miazga
  • 4Morrison
  • 6Moore
  • 27RichardsBooked at 44mins
  • 10Swift
  • 8RinomhotaSubstituted forMcClearyat 90+3'minutes
  • 14Ejaria
  • 19MeiteSubstituted forLoaderat 86'minutes
  • 47PuscasSubstituted forBoyéat 70'minutes

Substitutes

  • 1Walker
  • 12McCleary
  • 15Loader
  • 18Boyé
  • 22Howe
  • 24Blackett
  • 29Tuncará Gomes

Leeds

Formation 3-3-3-1

  • 13Casilla
  • 5White
  • 2AylingBooked at 40mins
  • 6Cooper
  • 11RobertsSubstituted forHélder Costaat 35'minutes
  • 43KlichSubstituted forAlioskiat 66'minutes
  • 23Phillips
  • 15Dallas
  • 19Hernández
  • 22HarrisonSubstituted forShackletonat 90+3'minutes
  • 9Bamford

Substitutes

  • 1Meslier
  • 3Douglas
  • 10Alioski
  • 17Hélder Costa
  • 28Berardi
  • 46Shackleton
  • 47Clarke
Referee:
Darren Bond
Attendance:
16,918

Match Stats

Home TeamReadingAway TeamLeeds
Possession
Home33%
Away67%
Shots
Home8
Away16
Shots on Target
Home2
Away2
Corners
Home7
Away11
Fouls
Home12
Away12

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Reading 0, Leeds United 1.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Reading 0, Leeds United 1.

  3. Post update

    Luke Ayling (Leeds United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  4. Post update

    Foul by Danny Loader (Reading).

  5. Substitution

    Substitution, Reading. Garath McCleary replaces Andy Rinomhota.

  6. Substitution

    Substitution, Leeds United. Jamie Shackleton replaces Jack Harrison.

  7. Post update

    Attempt blocked. Pablo Hernández (Leeds United) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Hélder Costa.

  8. Post update

    Stuart Dallas (Leeds United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  9. Post update

    Foul by Lucas Boyé (Reading).

  10. Goal!

    Goal! Reading 0, Leeds United 1. Jack Harrison (Leeds United) header from very close range to the bottom left corner following a fast break.

  11. Post update

    Attempt saved. John Swift (Reading) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner.

  12. Substitution

    Substitution, Reading. Danny Loader replaces Yakou Meite.

  13. Post update

    Foul by Kalvin Phillips (Leeds United).

  14. Post update

    Ovie Ejaria (Reading) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  15. Post update

    Corner, Leeds United. Conceded by Lucas Boyé.

  16. Post update

    Attempt missed. Pablo Hernández (Leeds United) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Kalvin Phillips with a cross following a corner.

  17. Post update

    Corner, Leeds United. Conceded by Chris Gunter.

  18. Post update

    Luke Ayling (Leeds United) wins a free kick on the right wing.

  19. Post update

    Foul by Lucas Boyé (Reading).

  20. Post update

    Attempt blocked. Lucas Boyé (Reading) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by John Swift.

As It Stood

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Leeds18114324101437
2West Brom17106131181336
3Fulham1895429181132
4Preston1794431181331
5Swansea188642318530
6Nottm Forest168532013729
7Bristol City177822521429
8Brentford178362213927
9Sheff Wed177462216625
10Cardiff186752625125
11Millwall186752224-225
12QPR177372732-524
13Derby186661924-524
14Charlton186572523223
15Hull176562523223
16Birmingham177281722-523
17Blackburn176382326-321
18Reading175391922-318
19Huddersfield184682026-618
20Luton1852112533-817
21Wigan1844101628-1216
22Middlesbrough172871523-814
23Stoke1842121931-1214
24Barnsley1716101836-189
View full Championship table