Match ends, Brentford 1, Reading 0.
BrentfordBrentford1ReadingReading0
Ollie Watkins headed his 11th goal of the season as Brentford secured a narrow win over Reading.
The Bees striker rose highest from a Mathias Jensen cross in the 62nd minute.
He almost grabbed a second just five minutes later, but the Royals' Brazilian goalkeeper Rafael Cabral reacted well to block.
Reading's George Puscas spurned a good chance when he couldn't finish when in on Bees goalkeeper David Raya.
There were early yellow cards for Reading's Andy Yiadom and Brentford's Pontus Jansson in an even opening at Griffin Park.
Watkins was soon into the goalmouth action but was crowded out by defenders, before Kamohelo Mokotjo saw an effort blocked.
Puscas had the clearest chance of the first half after timing his run in behind the Bees defence, but Raya smothered the ball as he attempted to go around him.
The goal came just after the hour mark when Watkins planted a header into the bottom corner.
Reading struggled to create a clear chance for an equaliser but went close in an injury-time goalmouth scramble.
The victory saw Brentford move up to eighth in the Championship and put an end to Reading's four-match unbeaten run.
Brentford boss Thomas Frank:
"Ollie's was a fantastic header. He's a constant threat. His link-up play and his work ethic is crucial.
"We are so pleased he has stepped up and was the main man, the one who decided the game today.
"He's definitely a number nine now, because he's so flexible. Cristiano Ronaldo did quite well in the beginning as a winger. Hopefully Ollie can do something similar.
"This was one of those games where we performed quite well against another opponent in form, with some top players."
Reading manager Mark Bowen on Puscas' chance:
"I was willing him to have a shot and that's his game, usually he likes to get his shot away, but he changed his mind and the ball just ran away from him.
"Maybe a lack of concentration cost us for the goal we conceded. But overall we had a lot of huff and puff, a lot of hard work, but that little bit of quality in the final third was lacking.
"Numerous times we went forward and you are thinking something is going to happen, but the ball wasn't as good as it can be.
"They took their chance. It's small margins in this league."
Line-ups
Brentford
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Raya
- 22Dalsgaard
- 18JanssonBooked at 9mins
- 5Pinnock
- 3Henry
- 8JensenBooked at 82mins
- 12Mokotjo
- 14DasilvaBooked at 78minsSubstituted forOksanenat 90+1'minutes
- 19Mbeumo
- 11Watkins
- 10BenrahmaSubstituted forZamburekat 81'minutes
Substitutes
- 2Thompson
- 28Daniels
- 29Bech Sørensen
- 31Zamburek
- 32Racic
- 34Oksanen
- 35Rasmussen
Reading
Formation 3-5-2
- 33Cabral Barbosa
- 5Miazga
- 4Morrison
- 6Moore
- 17YiadomBooked at 4mins
- 10SwiftBooked at 29mins
- 8RinomhotaSubstituted forBoyéat 71'minutes
- 14Ejaria
- 27Richards
- 47PuscasSubstituted forMcClearyat 60'minutes
- 9BaldockSubstituted forMeiteat 50'minutesBooked at 79mins
Substitutes
- 1Walker
- 2Gunter
- 12McCleary
- 18Boyé
- 19Meite
- 24Blackett
- 29Tuncará Gomes
- Referee:
- David Coote
- Attendance:
- 11,892
Match Stats
Home TeamBrentfordAway TeamReading
- Possession
- Home58%
- Away42%
- Shots
- Home11
- Away6
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away1
- Corners
- Home8
- Away7
- Fouls
- Home13
- Away15
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Brentford 1, Reading 0.
Post update
Foul by Kamohelo Mokotjo (Brentford).
Post update
John Swift (Reading) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Offside, Reading. John Swift tries a through ball, but Garath McCleary is caught offside.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Lucas Boyé (Reading) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by John Swift.
Substitution
Substitution, Brentford. Jaakko Oksanen replaces Josh Dasilva.
Post update
Corner, Brentford. Conceded by Michael Morrison.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Jan Zamburek (Brentford) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Mathias Jensen.
Post update
Attempt saved. Pontus Jansson (Brentford) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Josh Dasilva with a cross.
Post update
Corner, Brentford. Conceded by Omar Richards.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Ollie Watkins (Brentford) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Bryan Mbeumo.
Post update
Attempt missed. Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford) left footed shot from the right side of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Henrik Dalsgaard.
Booking
Mathias Jensen (Brentford) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Foul by Mathias Jensen (Brentford).
Post update
Ovie Ejaria (Reading) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Brentford. Jan Zamburek replaces Saïd Benrahma.
Booking
Yakou Meite (Reading) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Ethan Pinnock (Brentford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Yakou Meite (Reading).
