Reading lost 1-3 to Cardiff City, with player ratings reflecting individual performances. Joel Pereira received a rating of 6 for his efforts in goal despite conceding three goals.
Key points
Reading lost 1-3 to Cardiff City
Joel Pereira received a rating of 6
Pereira made key saves despite conceding three goals
Cardiff's goals included a header and a one-on-one
Gathered up some early easier saves without fuss as Reading enjoyed a good opening period. Took a knock when making a save midway through the first half â Pereira made a strong save from the powerful close-range effort but could only parry it into the middle and was hurt in the ensuing melee.
Showed no signs of any injury moments later with a fantastic save from a curling effort, throwing himself across his goal to palm it behind. Could do nothing about either of Cardiffâs first two goals, with the first being a header across his goal and the second being a one on one with acres of space.
Allowed a bit more freedom to attack today, playing as a wing-back, and enjoyed spending time far wide with chalk on his boots. Set Daniel Kyerewaa on the run towards the box early in the game with a clever low ball down the right channel. Found Kyerewaa again on the edge of the box in the 15th minute for a shot.
Not his day, and had issues with several of the Cardiff attackers, giving away a few fouls. Played on the right side of a back three for most of the day, with almost all of his touches on the right side of the pitch.
Struggled to connect with a lot of his passes today, especially when looking forward. Mucked up the offside trap for the second goal but did try to hustle back.
Paudie OâConnor: 5
Didnât have his best afternoon, but it must be said thatâs become a rarity from OâConnor in 2026. Rarer still was that OâConnor was below 50% for aerial duels today: usually his strong suit. One of those responsible for the blown offside trap for the second goal when he stepped forward at the wrong moment.
Q&A
What were the player ratings for Reading vs Cardiff City?
The player ratings for Reading included Joel Pereira and Ryan Nyambe, both receiving a rating of 6.
How did Joel Pereira perform in the match against Cardiff City?
Joel Pereira made several key saves but conceded three goals, ultimately earning a rating of 6.
What were the key moments in the Reading vs Cardiff City match?
Key moments included Pereira's strong saves and the goals scored by Cardiff, particularly a header and a one-on-one opportunity.
What was the final score of Reading vs Cardiff City?
The final score was Reading 1, Cardiff City 3.
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Took an arm across the face in the Cardiff box and stayed down, with the fallout causing a fracas around the referee. Received no treatment on the field but then was asked to leave the field of play â was then booked for protesting.
Saw a lot of attacks into the space in between himself and Haydon Roberts, with Cardiff looking to cross the ball early and often.
Got back well to slide in and block a cutback into the box midway through the first half. Made himself space to shoot with an incredibly suave turn in the box, but looped the ball just over. Probably the best of his defensive colleagues today, and the left side of a back three does suit Dorsett well.
Haydon Roberts: 5
Played as a left-wing-back for most of the game, and struggled with that position a bit more than usual. Allowed a man in behind who was able to get a powerful shot off, causing a panic in the box.
Generally solid in the air but asked to do a lot of running. He was caught out a few times in the space between himself and Dorsett.
Relatively quiet in the first half, with Reading not having much possession, and Rinomhota being an active partner alongside him. A step behind Cardiff for much of the opening hour, especially in the early stages of the second half.
Created the rebound for Kyerewaa to smash home with a powerful free-kick to the keeperâs left. That would prove to be one of just two shots Wing could find today. Alongside a fresher Rino, it was relatively clear to see the captain did look like a player with over 3,800 minutes played this season.
Andy Rinomhota: 7
Made his first start for Reading since his return in November and settled into the game against his old Cardiff teammates well. Was arguably Readingâs brightest spark throughout the game.
Saved a goal for Reading with a last-second tackle to clear a rebound from a great Pereira save. Ended the half well, winning the ball in the centre circle and driving it to the edge of the Cardiff box.
Came out for a tackle just after half-time and went to the ground painfully. Rino got up but limped painfully through the next few minutes. Recovered well and was able to keep running deep into the game, withdrawn with only minutes to go.
Daniel Kyerewaa: 6
Busy early on. Sprung onto an early loose touch in the Cardiff back line but couldnât corral the ball enough to be dangerous with it.
Picked up the ball from a defensive mistake in the 21st minute and drove deep into the Cardiff half, eventually shooting a daisy cutter just wide.
Continued to work hard in the second half, looking to take men on. Was the most alert to the rebound from Wingâs free-kick, running towards the net as the ball was struck. Kyerewaa then put enough power on his half volley to drive it past the âkeeper.
Spent the late stages attacking on the left side but didnât get as much joy.
Played as a left-sided 10 through the first half, assisting relatively centrally when Reading pressed.
Went searching down the left flank with a nice run in the early stages, eventually helping Reading earn a corner. Picked up a ball from Rinonhota in first-half injury time and drove in a powerful low shot, forcing a fantastic save out of Trott.
Offered a threat pretty consistently throughout the first half but faded out of it as the game went on. Attempted a bicycle kick in the box but couldnât make good contact shortly before Cardiffâs second goal.
Won the ball well on the press twice in the early stages. Held off Gabriel Osho when his first touch on the spin became a 50/50 ball and earned a free-kick.
Got close to a corner on the hour mark, with his shot into a gaping net blocked out for another set piece.
Couldnât get himself in front of Perry Ng on the edge of the box for the third goal, with it being smashed in just in front of him. Found himself space for a shot late in injury time but couldnât find enough power for his effort to trouble the âkeeper.
Almost found the back of the net with his first touch back, breathing down the neck of Osho to force a turnover, and forcing a save out of Trott. Marriottâs first touch would end up being his most consequential in the game, with the striker still playing himself back to fitness.
