Sky Bet Championship

Leeds United 0 Reading 1 (Barrow 84)

Former Leeds United loan man Modou Barrow came back to haunt the Whites, as his goal gave Reading a 1-0 victory, condemning Thomas Christiansen’s side to their first defeat at Elland Road this season.

Goalkeeper Andy Lonergan was handed his first Leeds start since returning to Elland Road in the summer, whilst Liam Cooper also returned to the starting line-up following suspension.

The first chance for the Whites came inside 13 minutes, after some good play by Kemar Roofe, Pablo Hernandez put a decent cross into the Reading box and Pierre-Michel Lasogga forced Vito Mannone into action.

Ten minutes later, Roy Beerens tried to bend an effort from 25 yards for the visitors, but he was unable to find the target with his attempt.

Gaetano Berardi then did well on the left flank, before laying the ball off to Lasogga to strike from distance, but his effort went wide.

Jon Dadi Bodvarsson then did well to break into the Leeds box and he forced Lonergan into action with a powerful drive.

Bodvarrson then turned provider, when he teed up Sone Aluko to strike on the edge of the box, who forced Lonergan into a fine stop low to his right.

Just before the break, Hernandez put another teasing ball into the Royals penalty area and Lasogga was just inches away from getting on the end of it at the back post.

Half Time: Leeds United 0-0 Reading

After the break Berardi, Hernandez and Eunan O’Kane linked up well, with the latter breaking into the area, before unleashing a curling strike, but he couldn’t find the target.

At the other end Bodvarsson broke into the box before teeing up Edwards, but he could only fire over the bar.

Pontus Jansson then drove forward and tried his luck from 40 yards, but his powerful effort was off target, whilst for the visitors Leandro Bacuna fired wide from distance.

Reading substitute Barrow then threatened in the 68^th minute, after being introduced for Beerens, he fired an effort across goal, but no Royals player could get on the end of it.

O’Kane fired a long range effort over the bar, before Hadi Sacko crossed low for Hernandez, but the Spaniard couldn’t make the desired contact with the ball.

Barrow again threatened when he picked up the ball on the edge of the box, before breaking into the area and firing on goal, forcing Lonergan into another good stop.

Sacko then intercepted a Reading pass to allow Saiz to break, he crossed low looking for Grot, but a last ditch Bacuna tackle saved Reading.

From the resulting corner, the set-piece was taken quickly and low, with Jansson found in the box, but he could only blaze over into the Kop.

Reading took the lead six minutes from time, Barrow was played into the area and found the bottom corner.

Leeds had the chance to level in stoppage time when Saiz was felled in the penalty area.  Hernandez stepped up to take the spot kick, but Mannone saved low to his left, to ensure the three points headed south.

Full Time: Leeds United 0-1 Reading

Leeds: Lonergan, Ayling, Cooper, Jansson, Berardi (Dallas 89), O’Kane, Phillips, Hernandez, Saiz, Roofe (Sacko 68), Lasogga (Grot 77).  Subs not used: Wiedwald, Pennington, Klich, Cibicki.

Reading: Mannone, Gunter, Berg, Moore, Beerens (Barrow 65), McCleary (Clement 90), Aluko (Kelly 72), Edwards, Bacuna, Ilori, Bodvarsson.  Subs not used: Jaakkola, Blackett, Popa, Smith.

Referee:  J. Simpson

Booked: Ayling, Berardi, Hernandez, O’Kane, Saiz,  (Leeds), Barrow, Berg (Reading)

Venue: Elland Road

Attendance: 33,900 (434 Reading)