Brentford beaten at home by clinical Reading

Brentford 1 Reading 3

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Brentford paid the price for a sloppy first half as they fell to a second straight league defeat.

A header from former Fulham striker Orlando Sa and Nick Blackman’s free-kick gave Reading a two-goal lead at half-time.

Brentford improved considerably after the break and Lasse Vibe pulled a goal back midway through the second half with a stunning effort from distance.

But despite dominating territory and possession in the final 20 minutes, the Bees couldn’t muster an equaliser and Reading wrapped it up deep into injury time when Blackman netted a penalty.

Reading, without a league win in four games this season, went in front on 17 minutes when Blackman – who had just hit the bar – provided a cross for Sa to head home.

Bees keeper David Button then kept Reading at bay with a string of saves, denying Stephen Quinn, Hal Robson-Kanu, Daniel Williams and Blackman.

But he was beaten by Blackman’s excellent free-kick, after a foul by James Tarkowski, to put the Royals in command.

The second half was a virtual role reversal, with Harlee Dean heading over from a corner and Vibe shooting over from the edge of the box.

The Dane got it right on 67 minutes with an effort from 25 yards which went in via the far post and Brentford then camped themselves in Reading’s half.

The closest they came was in the sixth minute of a lengthy stoppage-time period when Jake Bidwell’s centre came off Vibe and dropped narrowly wide.

Reading hit Brentford on the break and Button brought down Blackman, who made no mistake from the spot to confirm the victory.