Reading 1-0 Blackburn Rovers

Danny Williams (centre) scored the only goal as Reading defeated Blackburn

Brian McDermott made a winning return as Reading manager as his side ended Blackburn's eight-game unbeaten run.

Danny Williams struck a stunning half-volley from the edge of the penalty area for the only goal of the game.

Jason Steele was given no chance in the Blackburn goal as the United States international found the top left corner with his angled right-footed shot.

Fode Koita was denied a stoppage-time equaliser for the visitors as Jonathan Bond saved from close range.

• Sunday's Championship action as it happened

The win lifted Reading back into the top half of the Championship and halted a run of four successive defeats.

McDermott, who was named Royals manager on Thursday following the sacking of Steve Clarke, could have seen his side win more comfortably had Steele not produced a number of fine saves.

Williams' eye-catching strike from Hal Robson-Kanu's flick-on came moments after Koita missed a great chance to put Blackburn ahead from eight yards out.

The Rovers striker headed over the crossbar unmarked after Craig Conway had picked him out with a dangerous free-kick.

Victory over the bogey team
Sunday's result was the first time Reading have beaten Blackburn since October 1986 (12 meetings).

Former Reading midfielder Hope Akpan did find the target before the interval for the visitors when his left-footed effort was palmed away by Bond.

Williams was at it again after the break, testing Steele with an effort of his own from outside the box before playing in Garath McCleary for a shot that the goalkeeper also diverted away from danger.

Blackburn's Jordan Rhodes fired over the crossbar after Conway's surging run into the area and then the winger was unable to get the ball under control as he nipped in at the back post.

Ola John came off the Reading bench and immediately forced Steele into two more low saves cutting inside from the left wing.

Rhodes was unable to find the target once more with a speculative shot over his shoulder before Bond was sharp to deny Koita in added time with his feet.

Reading manager Brian McDermott:

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McDermott on Reading v Blackburn

"It was a lovely welcome. I had a really nice welcome in the car park beforehand, someone gave me some chocolate, that was lovely.

"It felt like a home-coming but I just wanted to concentrate on the most important thing, which was to get a result. We've done that and I'm pretty happy.

"The goal that's won it is straight out of the top drawer. I can't wait to see it again, it's a fantastic goal."

Blackburn manager Paul Lambert:

"I couldn't have asked for any more. I thought we should have been a couple of goals up in the first half, the way we dominated the game.

"But, sometimes you have games like that and you don't get anything from it.

"We've been beaten by a wonder goal, a terrific strike. Not many goalkeepers would've got anywhere near that.

"It's a first defeat for me since coming here, but whether you win, draw or lose a game, it's important you treat it the same as before you know it, the next game's on you."

• Line-ups
• Match Stats
• Live Text

Line-ups

Reading

• 1Bond
• 2Gunter
• 5McShane
• 8Hector
• 21Quinn
• 6Norwood
• 23Williams
• 22Blackman
• 7VydraSubstituted forPiazonat 45'minutes
• 12McClearySubstituted forJohnat 69'minutes
• 9Robson-KanuBooked at 86mins

Substitutes

• 10Sá
• 17Piazon
• 19Fernández Iglesias
• 20John
• 26Al Habsi
• 34Keown
• 35Cooper

Blackburn

• 30Steele
• 2HenleyBooked at 82mins
• 22DuffyBooked at 16mins
• 5HanleyBooked at 88mins
• 14Olsson
• 32ConwaySubstituted forBrownat 85'minutes
• 21AkpanBooked at 15mins
• 23GuthrieSubstituted forWilliamsonat 70'minutes
• 10MarshallSubstituted forLawrenceat 69'minutes
• 8Koita
• 11Rhodes

Substitutes

• 3Spurr
• 4Kilgallon
• 9Brown
• 13Eastwood
• 16Lawrence
• 17Williamson
• 19Taylor

Referee:

Peter Bankes

Attendance:

16,529

Match Stats

Home TeamReadingAway TeamBlackburn

Possession

Home49%

Away51%

Shots

Home13

Away7

Shots on Target

Home7

Away3

Corners

Home6

Away1

Fouls

Home8

Away12

Live Text

Posted at

Match ends, Reading 1, Blackburn Rovers 0.

Full Time

Posted at 90'+5'

Second Half ends, Reading 1, Blackburn Rovers 0.

Posted at 90'+3'

Attempt saved. Bangaly-Fodé Koita (Blackburn Rovers) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Grant Hanley with a headed pass.

Posted at 90'+3'

Corner, Blackburn Rovers. Conceded by Oliver Norwood.

Posted at 90'+1'

Foul by Chris Brown (Blackburn Rovers).

Posted at 90'+1'

Hal Robson-Kanu (Reading) wins a free kick on the right wing.

Posted at 90'+1'

Corner, Reading. Conceded by Markus Olsson.

Posted at 89'

Offside, Reading. Chris Gunter tries a through ball, but Nick Blackman is caught offside.

Booking

Posted at 88'

Grant Hanley (Blackburn Rovers) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

Posted at 88'

Foul by Grant Hanley (Blackburn Rovers).

Posted at 88'

Hal Robson-Kanu (Reading) wins a free kick on the right wing.

Posted at 87'

Attempt saved. Grant Hanley (Blackburn Rovers) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Shane Duffy with a headed pass.

Booking

Posted at 86'

Hal Robson-Kanu (Reading) is shown the yellow card.

Posted at 86'

Grant Hanley (Blackburn Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Posted at 86'

Foul by Hal Robson-Kanu (Reading).

Substitution

Posted at 85'

Substitution, Blackburn Rovers. Chris Brown replaces Craig Conway.

Posted at 84'

Offside, Blackburn Rovers. Markus Olsson tries a through ball, but Bangaly-Fodé Koita is caught offside.

Booking

Posted at 82'

Adam Henley (Blackburn Rovers) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

Posted at 82'

Foul by Adam Henley (Blackburn Rovers).

Posted at 82'

Ola John (Reading) wins a free kick on the left wing.

Posted at 81'

Corner, Reading. Conceded by Lee Williamson.

Posted at 81'

Attempt blocked. Oliver Norwood (Reading) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Lucas Piazon.

Posted at 81'

Attempt blocked. Nick Blackman (Reading) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Oliver Norwood.

Posted at 77'

Foul by Adam Henley (Blackburn Rovers).

Posted at 77'

Hal Robson-Kanu (Reading) wins a free kick on the left wing.

Posted at 76'

Delay over. They are ready to continue.

Posted at 74'

Delay in match Adam Henley (Blackburn Rovers) because of an injury.

Posted at 74'

Attempt saved. Nick Blackman (Reading) left footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Hal Robson-Kanu.

Posted at 73'

Foul by Lee Williamson (Blackburn Rovers).

Posted at 73'

Danny Williams (Reading) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Posted at 72'

Foul by Craig Conway (Blackburn Rovers).

Posted at 72'

Danny Williams (Reading) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Posted at 71'

Attempt saved. Ola John (Reading) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Nick Blackman.

Posted at 71'

Attempt saved. Ola John (Reading) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Oliver Norwood.

Substitution

Posted at 70'

Substitution, Blackburn Rovers. Lee Williamson replaces Danny Guthrie.

Substitution

Posted at 69'

Substitution, Blackburn Rovers. Tom Lawrence replaces Ben Marshall.

Substitution

Posted at 69'

Substitution, Reading. Ola John replaces Garath McCleary.

Posted at 69'

Offside, Reading. Chris Gunter tries a through ball, but Nick Blackman is caught offside.

Posted at 68'

Offside, Blackburn Rovers. Craig Conway tries a through ball, but Jordan Rhodes is caught offside.

Posted at 67'

Offside, Blackburn Rovers. Grant Hanley tries a through ball, but Ben Marshall is caught offside.

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