Match ends, Reading 1, Swansea City 4.
ReadingReading1SwanseaSwansea City4
Oli McBurnie struck in each half as Swansea City routed struggling Reading to rise a place to 12th in the Championship.
Swansea took all three of their first-half chances against a fragile defence with McBurnie heading in his opener and converting a penalty after the break.
In between Connor Roberts and Mike van der Hoorn rewarded impressive assists to punish Jose Gomes' side.
Substitute Callum Harriott scored Reading's late consolation.
Having lost 13 home matches in all competitions during 2018 - their most in a single calendar year in their history - it was hardly the start to 2019 that Reading wanted.
Jose Gomes' side remain in the relegation zone, five points below 21st-placed Rotherham.
For Swansea, it was a welcome first away win on a New Year's Day since triumphing at Madjeski Stadium 2011.
Scotland international McBurnie rose between two Reading defenders to meet Kyle Naughton's cross and head in Swansea's second-minute opener.
Reading could not muster a response despite the visitors not threatening before taking the next chance that came their way on the half hour.
Leroy Fer's headed flick off Bersant Celina's pinpoint cross flummoxed the home defence for Wales defender Roberts to add Swansea's second.
Grimes set up Van der Hoorn's power drive to put the Swans 3-0 up at the break - their third goal from just the three chances at their disposal in the opening period.
Two minutes after the restart McBurnie hammered in his second from the penalty spot in front of his side's fans after Andy Yiadom fouled Wayne Routledge.
Harriott provided a rare bright moment for Reading, but defeat left Gomes with much to ponder.
Reading manager Jose Gomes told BBC Radio Berkshire: "That was the same players who did a great thing against QPR (a goalless draw away on Saturday), but today they didn't show any energy, strength or reaction.
"We need to fight with the opponent in front of us. We can't run away, we must go face-to-face with them.
"I'm sure in the future, this sort of performance cannot and will not happen again.
"Already in three games, my players have shown me the good and the bad things they can produce. They can't hide anything from me now."
Swansea City boss Graham Potter said: "I thought we played well. We controlled the first 20 minutes of the game, then they had a spell, which you'd expect in the Championship.
"Then we scored at that point and that's something we haven't managed to do in the previous games so today was a bit easier for us in that we scored when we had the chances and we were effective with our finishing.
"But at the same time I can't remember them having any of their chances and we defended well, pressed well, had good energy, good spirit and the supporters were tremendous."
Line-ups
Reading
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 31Jaakkola
- 3Yiadom
- 20IloriBooked at 67mins
- 4O'Shea
- 27Richards
- 35Rinomhota
- 10Swift
- 12McClearySubstituted forHarriottat 72'minutes
- 14AlukoSubstituted forLoaderat 61'minutes
- 17BarrowBooked at 75mins
- 21MeiteSubstituted forBödvarssonat 61'minutes
Substitutes
- 6Moore
- 15Harriott
- 23Bödvarsson
- 28Walker
- 38Kelly
- 43Loader
- 47Osho
Swansea
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 25Mulder
- 26Naughton
- 5van der Hoorn
- 22Rodon
- 23RobertsBooked at 53mins
- 8Fer
- 21Grimes
- 12DyerSubstituted forFultonat 85'minutes
- 10Celina
- 15RoutledgeSubstituted forCarter-Vickersat 88'minutes
- 9McBurnieSubstituted forBaker-Richardsonat 73'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Nordfeldt
- 7Montero
- 17Carter-Vickers
- 19McKay
- 20James
- 27Fulton
- 46Baker-Richardson
- Referee:
- Tim Robinson
- Attendance:
- 15,644
Match Stats
Home TeamReadingAway TeamSwansea
- Possession
- Home58%
- Away42%
- Shots
- Home16
- Away8
- Shots on Target
- Home5
- Away5
- Corners
- Home7
- Away1
- Fouls
- Home13
- Away12
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Reading 1, Swansea City 4.
Post update
Omar Richards (Reading) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Jay Fulton (Swansea City).
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Delay over. They are ready to continue.
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Delay in match Connor Roberts (Swansea City) because of an injury.
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Attempt blocked. Danny Loader (Reading) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Omar Richards.
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Offside, Swansea City. Connor Roberts tries a through ball, but Bersant Celina is caught offside.
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Andy Rinomhota (Reading) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Jay Fulton (Swansea City).
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Foul by John Swift (Reading).
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Courtney Baker-Richardson (Swansea City) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Attempt blocked. Omar Richards (Reading) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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Andy Rinomhota (Reading) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Leroy Fer (Swansea City).
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Foul by John Swift (Reading).
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Courtney Baker-Richardson (Swansea City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Swansea City. Cameron Carter-Vickers replaces Wayne Routledge.
Post update
Offside, Reading. Callum Harriott tries a through ball, but Andy Yiadom is caught offside.
Substitution
Substitution, Swansea City. Jay Fulton replaces Nathan Dyer.
