Reading 3-0 Wigan Athletic: Player Ratings

Joel Pereira: 6 Literally nothing to do in the first half with no shots from Wigan Athletic. As I’ve said in other player ratings pieces: that’s exactly what you want to be able to say about your goalkeeper. He had a little bit more to do in the second half but, all things considered, the defence in front of him had things covered.

Pereira came alive in extra time with a fantastic save in the 92nd minute from a dangerous shot that looked destined to go into the top corner. In the 94th minute, El Gato followed this up by claiming a deep Wigan cross calmly. Ryan Nyambe: 6 If I could summarise the back line today, two words would cover it: absolutely fine.

However, I need to expand upon this, so expand upon this I will. Nyambe’s only bad moment arrived in the first minute of the game when he was beaten by a ball over the top, but he recovered to make a clearance. His physical strength is something that helped him here and we possibly underestimate the difference it makes during games.

His other notable defensive action in the game also happened in the first half, with a good block from a Wigan cross in the 26th minute to clear it for a corner. Later in the first half, he got forward well to receive a Savage pass but his cross was deflected. He was subbed off for Andy Yiadom in the 87th minute after having a quietly effective game.