Match ends, Derby County 0, Reading 3.
DerbyDerby County0ReadingReading3
Derby County missed out on a play-off place as their end-of-season slump ended with defeat against Reading.
A superior goal difference meant Derby needed just a draw to stay in the top six but they set the tone for a disjointed and nervy display by gifting Kwesi Appiah a second-minute opener.
Darren Bent wasted a chance to level when his penalty was saved by keeper Adam Federici just before the break.
And Michael Hector's shot and Garath McCleary's spot-kick sealed victory.
The Rams started the day in sixth place in the Championship table, but ended in eighth as Brentford's win over already-relegated Wigan earned them fifth spot, while Ipswich clung on to the final play-off place despite losing to Blackburn.
Wolves beat Millwall and also finished above the Rams, but missed out on goal difference.
Reading's impressive victory ruined Derby's day but, having won just two out of their last 12 games before hosting the Royals, the result was maybe not as shocking as it first seemed.
There was an enthusiastic minute's applause before kick off to celebrate the life of former BBC Radio Derby presenter Colin Bloomfield, a familiar voice and face to Rams fans, who last month died aged 33 following a battle with cancer.
The warm tribute helped create a wonderful pre-match atmosphere at the iPro but the mood swiftly changed to one of disbelief and silence.
Will Hughes played a sloppy pass which allowed Appiah to run towards goal, and after Richard Keogh committed himself, the Crystal Palace loanee cleverly cut inside and slid the ball home.
| End-of-season slump |
|---|
| Derby County conceded 23 goals in their final 13 Championship matches, in which their only wins came against relegated sides Wigan Athletic and Blackpool. The Rams earned just 12 points out of a possible 39 since beating Charlton Athletic in February. |
The lively Tom Ince and Bent did both have decent shots saved by keeper Adam Federici, while Keogh went close and Reading's Nathaniel Chalobah almost put through his own net under pressure from Ryan Shotton.
But the Rams were sloppy in possession in the final third, prompting head coach Steve McClaren to switch formation and bring on Jesse Lingard, play him in behind Bent and go with four at the back.
Reading, beaten FA Cup semi-finalists, had little to play but were disciplined in defence and looked dangerous when they ventured forward, but the hosts should have levelled just before the break.
Johnny Russell was bundled over in the box by Jordan Obita but Bent's strike towards the bottom left corner was brilliantly kept out by Federici.
Derby brought on influential striker Chris Martin at the break but it made little difference.
The Royals had by far the better chances, Tarique Fosu seeing a fierce shot saved by Grant, dragging a strike wide and then going close on a third occasion.
The pressure told when Hector fired home after a poor attempted clearance by Shotton, and McCleary's low penalty strike wrapped up victory after Jem Karacan was felled by Grant.
Derby head coach Steve McClaren: "I'm really annoyed, angry, and frustrated about the last two months and am really determined to do something about it.
"I'm not making a pledge, this is how I feel at the present moment. I'm under contract at Derby and I've said that all along. I've been questioned about all the speculation which has been going on for about six months.
"My intention is to sort this out. No one has told me otherwise and until somebody does, that's my determination.
"I'm angry, frustrated, I want to do something about it. I want to sit down with everybody next week, I think it's too raw, too early to make any kind of statement but what I say is what I mean."
Reading manager Steve Clarke: "A lot of performances have been really good but the key moments in the game went against us.
"But today, the key moments in the game went for us and that's the difference.
"The players were stuck in a little bit of a rut and had forgotten how to win a game and today they managed to remember so I've told them when they go away for the summer, don't forget what it's like to win a game. So this is a good way for us to finish."
Line-ups
Derby
Formation 4-3-3
- 1GrantBooked at 85mins
- 32ShottonBooked at 66mins
- 6Keogh
- 36AlbentosaSubstituted forWardat 73'minutes
- 3Forsyth
- 8Hendrick
- 37WarnockSubstituted forLingardat 33'minutesBooked at 58mins
- 19Hughes
- 23Ince
- 39Bent
- 11RussellSubstituted forMartinat 45'minutes
Substitutes
- 2Christie
- 9Martin
- 10Ward
- 16Lingard
- 18Sammon
- 21Roos
- 28Rawson
Reading
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Federici
- 2Gunter
- 15Hector
- 5Pearce
- 11Obita
- 6NorwoodBooked at 27minsSubstituted forCooperat 90'minutes
- 14Chalobah
- 12McCleary
- 21KaracanSubstituted forWilliamsat 86'minutesBooked at 90mins
- 37StaceySubstituted forFosu-Henryat 30'minutes
- 44Appiah
Substitutes
- 3Kelly
- 10Cox
- 22Blackman
- 23Williams
- 31Andersen
- 35Cooper
- 39Fosu-Henry
- Referee:
- James Linington
- Attendance:
- 30,806
Match Stats
Home TeamDerbyAway TeamReading
- Possession
- Home63%
- Away37%
- Shots
- Home10
- Away16
- Shots on Target
- Home3
- Away7
- Corners
- Home7
- Away5
- Fouls
- Home9
- Away19
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Derby County 0, Reading 3.
Post update
Attempt saved. Tarique Fosu-Henry (Reading) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Nathaniel Chalobah.
Booking
Daniel Williams (Reading) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Tom Ince (Derby County) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Daniel Williams (Reading).
Post update
Attempt blocked. Tarique Fosu-Henry (Reading) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Nathaniel Chalobah.
Post update
Darren Bent (Derby County) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Jake Cooper (Reading).
Post update
Will Hughes (Derby County) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Foul by Daniel Williams (Reading).
Substitution
Substitution, Reading. Jake Cooper replaces Oliver Norwood.
Post update
Jeff Hendrick (Derby County) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by Daniel Williams (Reading).
Post update
Attempt missed. Chris Martin (Derby County) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high.
Substitution
Substitution, Reading. Daniel Williams replaces Jem Karacan.
Goal!
Goal! Derby County 0, Reading 3. Garath McCleary (Reading) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner.
Booking
Lee Grant (Derby County) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Penalty conceded by Lee Grant (Derby County) after a foul in the penalty area.
Post update
Penalty Reading. Jem Karacan draws a foul in the penalty area.
