WHAT HAPPENED
We shared the spoils with Reading in a goalless draw in the Premier League International Cup.
The game began slowly, with few chances in the opening exchanges, apart from an effort from Joe Willock which flashed narrowly wide after 10 minutes.
A few minutes later Matt Macey was called into action to deny the Royals down low after Danny Loader broke through on goal.
Shortly before the half-hour mark Eddie Nketiah met Vlad Dragomir’s delivery, but could only send his first-time effort just wide of the far post.
Nketiah tried his luck again soon after, this time ghosting past his marker and drilling a shot on target, which was scooped up gratefully by Reading goalkeeper George Legg.
Moments later, the visitors almost broke the deadlock when Josh Barrett sent a teasing cross across the face of Matt Macey’s goal to the waiting Joel Rollinson, who couldn’t make a connection with the ball.
With the half-time break imminent, Chuba Akpom looked to open the scoring, when he cut inside on his right and curled an effort into the palms of Lagg.
Following the interval Reiss Nelson tested Lagg once more, only for the goalkeeper the block his shot with his sprawling legs.
Ten minutes from time we thought we had sealed a late win, only for the linesman to deny Nketiah, who had prodded in the rebound after Josh Dasilva’s effort was saved.
WHAT IT MEANS
A draw sees us remain unbeaten in the Premier League International Cup, and still in a good position to qualify from our group in our final game against Bayern Munich.
WHAT’S NEXT
Gatting’s side travel to Manchester City, hoping to pick up three points against a team who have been in indifferent form this season. The last time we faced the Citizens we ran out as 4-3 winners, with Nelson and Nketiah both bagging braces.
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