Belated but here goes:
We started OK, but gradually got worse during the first half. The running theme was poor decision-making when we got near the Reading penalty box, of which pretty much everyone was guilty. At the back we became increasingly wobbly and Johnson in particular seemed to be struggling. The period between Reading's goal and half time was the toughest to watch but we managed not to concede another.
The second half was a completely different story. Buyens and Cousins had both had indifferent first halves but began to dominate the midfield as we put sustained pressure on the Reading defence. What Hector was thinking with the handball I have no idea, and it meant that we a tangible reward for our improved performance. Eagles was perhaps the least effective of the front 6 and missed a golden opportunity when Gudmundsson's cross found him all alone at the back post; he had all the time in the world to place his header but could only land it on the roof of the net.
Gomez and Gudmundsson were posing much more of a threat in the second half than they had in the first and it was from the right hand side that our second goal came. The ball was fizzed in to the box and the onrushing Buyens knocked it in, with which part of his body I wasn't entirely sure. Today was definitely one of his better games and he deserved to get on the scoresheet from open play.
Church replaced Eagles and instantly had a glorious chance to put one over his former employers as a cut-back from the byline found him all alone in the box. His attempt to stroke it home was thwarted, however, by an impressive stop from Adam Federici. With 10 minutes left he did manage to score, although most of the credit should go to Tony Watt for taking on his man, beating him and playing the ball across the box so that all Church had to do was get some kind of contact on it.
We remained calm after that, possible too much so. Johnson and Diarra had both put in improved second half displays but were found wanting as a low cross from the right eluded everyone bar Pogrebnyak, who slid it home. There was still a minute or so of stoppage time left and our hearts were in our mouths as Reading won a free-kick not far outside the penalty area, but Henderson came and claimed confidently, and that was that.
It was a tough task for Gomez to deputise for the injured Solly at right back, even though he has played there before, and I thought he played well. Fox, too, showed his worth by making some good interceptions. In front of him Bulot ferreted his way around the pitch, making a nuisance of himself even if his play didn't yield much in the way of chances. Watt was Watt and richly deserved the standing ovation he got as he was substituted with a few minutes to go. He really is a special player to watch.
A good day's work all round. Luzon has shown that, even if the first half performance isn't up to scratch, he has what it takes to inspire a better one in the second half. He and the players have made it worth going to The Valley again.