Birmingham City 1:1 Reading FC: Almost a perfect start

It was almost done, it was almost so sweet.

Reading were close to making a perfect start to their 2024/25 season today, but were denied that chance just before the end. Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan had given the Royals a deserved first-half lead, which the visitors defended doggedly after the break, but the referee (who awarded a lenient penalty for handball) and Alfie May (who converted the penalty) had other plans.

Reading (4-3-3): Pereira; Craig, Mbengue, Bindon, Dorsett; Elliott, Wing, Knibbs; Camara, Smith, Ehibhatiomhan

Submarines: Boyce-Clarke, Kanu, Abrefa, Garcia, Osho, Savage, Wareham

Nevertheless, I am not depressed. Before the game, I would certainly have been happy with a point – it is our toughest game of the season. On paper – and our good game gives me great courage.

We saw both sides of this Reading team today. Aggressive, attacking and dangerous in the first half, robust and mature in the second. For all the talk about how Ruben Selles has built a well-coordinated pressing team, which was demonstrated in the first 45 minutes, the second 45 minutes showed how effectively they can withstand pressure in their own third.

What was particularly impressive was that Reading managed to do the latter with this group of players. Consider this: The Royals have a young back line, no captain, several players are still adjusting to their new roles (not least Michael Craig at right-back) and there isn’t much experience to help off the bench.

Nevertheless, Selles has built a defensive unit that can get results. This time it was not sharp enough to get a clean game, but it was crucial today that it was only breached by a penalty (and a questionable one at that) in such a high-pressure environment.

Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images

The first half, however, deserves more praise. It was really entertaining.

Reading came out quickly and kept the tempo high, and their pressing system – operating high up the pitch and centrally oriented to force Birmingham City to play to the full-backs – worked brilliantly.

The Royals frequently attacked the hosts in their third period, disrupting their attempts to build attacks and control the flow of the game. A number of over-hit passes into touch and a restless crowd showed that Reading knew what they were doing.

They also knew how to hurt the hosts. Reading had the better chances in the first half and came close to scoring a goal on several occasions through dangerous counterattacks that they could have exploited. Harvey Knibbs made one mistake, Mamadi Camara headed straight at the goalkeeper from close range and Michael Craig almost set up the first goal with a dangerous low cross that Sam Smith couldn’t quite capitalise on.

However, Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan made no mistake a few minutes before half-time. He was found by Lewis Wing after a through ball and scored in front of the delighted visitors.

It was a deserved lead, matching an impressive, brave first half that showed exactly what this Reading side should be this season, coming here not just to sit deep and defend, but to impose their own style on the game, confident and entertaining.

The best example of this and the improvements from last season is probably Ben Elliott. The young player looked a little lost as a winger last season, but has been revived as a central midfielder since the spring – and an even more tenacious one at that.

He is much more involved now and when he is in the centre of the play he knows how to dictate it, either by picking a clever pass or charging forward into open space. Elliott is also tough out of possession and plays more than his role in Reading’s pressing. That often required him to move to the right wing today to cover the space there as winger Camara pressed more into the middle.

It’s a shame, but understandable, that Reading couldn’t maintain their high level after the break. They were more composed in the second half, didn’t have much experience on the bench and were put under increasing pressure by an improving home team.

Birmingham City lacked a lot of penetration and were unable to put Joel Pereira under much pressure, but were clearly the better side after the break. Emil Hansson, who came on as a half-time substitute, provided more of the threat on the flanks that the Blues had previously lacked.

And to be honest, they were punished harshly by the referee. Amadou Mbengue did a great job of getting a long ball back, but under pressure passed it back to Joel Pereira, who foolishly picked it up. It was only because the referee failed to spot the foul that Reading were saved.

Reading were not spared in the 87th minute, however. Hansson’s cross hit Wing’s arm in the box – an arm that seemed to be in a natural position as I watched in real time – and the referee awarded a penalty. May did the rest.

It was a devastating end to a game that had been going so well for Reading, but it didn’t completely spoil a day that ultimately proved just how well this team is shaping up.

Because of this game, Reading will be one of the teams to beat in League One this season, now please get this damn takeover under control.