Reading 3-4 Chelsea: Mason Mount scores twice in exciting friendly

Last updated on .From the section Chelseacomments70

Mason Mount celebrates scoring for Chelsea
Mason Mount has yet to make a competitive senior appearance for Chelsea

Mason Mount continued to press his claim for a starting role for Chelsea this season as he scored twice in a 4-3 friendly win at Reading.

The Blues trailed early on to Josh Barrett's delicious lob.

Ross Barkley equalised with a 20-yard free-kick before Kenedy put Chelsea in front with a long-range strike.

Mount's two goals in three minutes - in between Michael Morrison's equaliser and a Sam Baldock consolation - made sure of the win.

It was the latest impressive display by Mount, who did not look out of place during a 2-1 victory over Barcelona on Tuesday.

With Chelsea restricted by a transfer embargo this season, the 20-year-old looks set to continue the influential role he enjoyed under manager Frank Lampard when the pair were together at Derby last season.

He scored 14 goals during that loan spell as the Rams reached the Championship play-off final and, in Lampard's first match in charge of the Blues on home soil, again proved himself to be an attacking force.

His first goal was a gift - tapping in on the line after being teed up by Michy Batshuayi soon after coming on as a half-time substitute.

He had more work to do for his second, collecting the ball inside the box and driving a powerful effort beyond Reading goalkeeper Sam Walker.

Lampard will have been less impressed by his side's defending, with two weeks to go until they begin their Premier League campaign against Manchester United at Old Trafford on 11 August.

"I wouldn't say I've made decisions yet in terms of selection for those early games or what the squad looks like because that's a line and I don't want to draw that line just yet," he said.

"There's not a player who hasn't pushed themselves and shown me everything but these are decisions I have to make. They're not absolutely clear decisions but I'll make them in due course."

Chelsea have two friendlies remaining as Lampard searches for his best starting line-up. They travel to Austria to play Red Bull Salzburg on Wednesday before completing their pre-season preparations in Germany against Borussia Monchengladbach on Saturday.

Reading first-half team: Virginia, Yiadom, Blackett (Richards 31), Moore, McIntyre, Rinomhota, Swift, Barrow, Meite, Barrett, Loader.

Reading second-half team: Walker, Howe (Watson 69), Richards, Miazga, Morrison, Adam, Holsgrove, Olise, East, Novakovich, Baldock.

Chelsea first-half team: Caballero, Zappacosta, Christensen, Tomori, Alonso, Drinkwater, Bakayoko, Kenedy, Barkley, Pulisic, Giroud.

Chelsea second-half team: Caballero (Cumming 63), Azpilicueta, Zouma, David Luiz, Emerson, Pedro, Jorginho, Kovacic, Mount, Abraham, Batshuayi.

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70 comments

  • Comment posted by markyboy89, at 23:35 28 Jul 2019

    Pretty unimpressed that the BBC can publish two Chelsea lineups but no Reading lineups. They are a British team too, right?

  • Comment posted by Davezk, at 23:45 28 Jul 2019

    Wow so we played the losing role in this great match and barely get a mention.

    Didn't even bother listing our line up or the quality of our goals.

    BBC are a joke.

  • Comment posted by We Are The Popside, at 23:20 28 Jul 2019

    Derby Fan

    Will watch Chelsea results next season and wish Frank all the best. Tries to play the game the right way, tries to connect with the fans. Good luck Chelsea

  • Comment posted by CFC Spud, at 22:27 28 Jul 2019

    @8 Absolutely Spot on. Hazard done a great job for us, moved on. Transfer ban could do us a favour. A real chance for the youngsters to show what they have. Reading are a quality footballing team, played some really good stuff today so good luck to them. Going to be a Rollercoaster but we are use to that.

  • Comment posted by Moleman48, at 22:16 28 Jul 2019

    Makes me laugh people moaning about Kante not playing today when he still coming back from injury. Looking forward to the season everyone thinks we be rubbish cos of no hazard I must be only person glad to see him go gives others a chance to shine.

  • Comment posted by G D, at 06:34 29 Jul 2019

    As a neutral It is obvious Mason Mount must be in the starting eleven this season .... I would also start Tammy Abraham and Ross Barkley.... with Giroud on the bench .... English players are usually prepared to put in a full shift every game , ..... so a few more homegrown players would not go amiss .....

  • Comment posted by Jalxsu, at 08:33 29 Jul 2019

    I guess I'll do your work for you.

    Reading first-half:
    Virgínia
    Yiadom
    Blackett (Richards 31)
    Moore (c)
    McIntyre
    Rinomhota
    Swift
    Barrow
    Méïté
    Barrett
    Loader.

    Reading second-half:
    Walker
    Howe (Watson 69)
    Richards
    Miazga
    Morrison
    Adam
    Holsgrove
    Olise
    East
    Novakovich
    Baldock

    Goals: Barrett 13, Morrison 49, Baldock 70

    Football does exist outside the PL. Come on URZ!

  • Comment posted by Terry, at 09:27 29 Jul 2019

    Lots of comedians trying out their new material on here this morning! Chelsea, like every other team in pre-season are trying out new ideas and getting a good look at who's adaptable and ready for the start of meaningful games. Reading were good value & deserve more BBC respect; Chelsea took the game seriously, gave players match time and implemented FL's ideas. What is there to criticize? KTBFFH

  • Comment posted by Tom Doherty, at 23:33 28 Jul 2019

    It is good to see Tomori and Mount in contention for a starting place; both were held in high esteem by Derby supporters; I wish Chelsea well in the coming season and hope to maybe get the Pensioners in the League or FA Cup down the track

  • Comment posted by rugby_rules8, at 08:23 29 Jul 2019

    It’s been a decent pre season, looking forward to seeing what we can do in the PL now we have Lampard at the helm, even with a transfer ban, don’t be surprised if we win it. The squad has a great blend of youth and experience, haters will hate but we know how to win trophies and that’s what success is judged by, might want to pass that message into Liverpool and Spurs, masters of 2nd place.

  • Comment posted by U17763658, at 23:31 28 Jul 2019

    I don't see any comments from Reading supporters giving it:

    "We lost by a single goal to the EL title winners who were 3rd in the PL last season"

    Why?

    Because it was a Pre-Season warm up and means absolutely nothing.

  • Comment posted by The Grate Gonzo, at 09:20 29 Jul 2019

    @saddletramp.

    Do you actually know what a cockney is?

    Come on URZZZZZ

    Reading fan for over 50 years, with many memories of 3rd and 4th division games against the likes of Barrow and Doncaster.

    Championship football is success!

  • Comment posted by nd_man, at 06:34 29 Jul 2019

    As a neutral, I usually notice Reading as a championship playoffs team generally year in year out.

    But the past few years I've been surprised to see them in the bog and murk of 16/20th place.

    I can probably see why....their old squad is being completely replaced mostly by youth.

    They couldn't score much last year, so 3 goals now might be a good sign for this season.

  • Comment posted by Pan17, at 23:10 28 Jul 2019

    Not many will agree but I would take 4-3 over 1-0 any time. Football is entertainment after all.

  • Comment posted by CFC_Zola, at 21:56 28 Jul 2019

    Frank’s tried a number of formations in the 5 preseason games so far but hasn’t looked at 3 at the back. With the fullbacks we have and the greater quality at CB it could serve us well again.
    Presents a bit more of a problem getting our best preseason performers, Mount & Barkley, in the team but we need more security defensively. Maybe a 4-1-4-1 with Kante providing the defensive cover?

  • Comment posted by Leftside, at 10:32 29 Jul 2019

    @48
    Was the year 2012 erased from your history book?

  • Comment posted by disgustedofwells, at 08:57 29 Jul 2019

    Can't get overexcited about beating Reading, but this season could be a blessing in disguise
    FL digging deep into the squad, & returning loan players is great
    The CFC youngsters have the opportunity of a lifetime, no excuses, to show us what they've got
    Some may even establish themselves as Internationals too
    What's not to like?
    A young English manager, picking eager young talent
    Bring it on

  • Comment posted by U17703938, at 07:58 29 Jul 2019

    Chelsea are contenders for the league title, with an English manger and a core of homegrown English talent. Bravo.

  • Comment posted by U17763658, at 22:51 28 Jul 2019

    It was a good game and both teams went for it.

    An entertaining match and a decent Pre-Season limber up for both teams.

  • Comment posted by tatlock, at 09:57 29 Jul 2019

    Chelsea looking to finish top 4, nick a cup & get as far as they can in the CL. In other words FL’s brief is the same as Arsenal, United, Spurs. It is very early, but I would be bitterly disappointed if they couldn’t get the top 4 finish. Cups & CL runs are often down to timing & luck. FL will know that the transfer bank from sales alone is building (currently £130m+). In decent shape if u ask me

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