Ruben Selles praised Reading’s character after they moved nine points clear of the League One relegation zone thanks to a comfortable 2-0 win over Bristol Rovers at the Memorial Stadium.
Selles was all smiles after striker Sam Smith put the visitors in command after eight minutes with a close-range header before Lewis Wing doubled the lead just before half-time with a stunning 25-yard free-kick.
“It takes a lot of character to win in the circumstances where we are fighting against relegation,” Selles said.
“We did a really good job to get the three points and we hope that with this result and the coming performances we will have done enough to stay in the league.
“But I think this season for Reading is never done until the final whistle – and maybe after that – but we can only control what happens on the pitch until then.
“We are just thinking about getting as many points as possible because we never know what might happen, but hopefully nothing else will happen with processes.”
Selles added: “We have been talking about how the team has been growing and maturing and today we did the job in the first half and then you could not expect us to dominate for the 100 minutes.
“They had good players to send on at half-time and they made it difficult for us over a period of 15-20 minutes but after that we regained control and we finished strongly.
“We enjoyed the victory and we enjoyed celebrating with our fans because we go all in and they enjoy that.
“Sometimes we don’t get what we want and sometimes we do but there is no doubt we go all in every single time we play.
“The way we do things is exciting for the fans and the way we play is good for the fans and the way we have connected is great.”
While Reading fans celebrated victory, Rovers fans booed their side at the final whistle following a record-extending seventh game without a goal
Manager Matt Taylor said he understood their frustration but asked for the poor run to be seen in context.
“It is understandable because they don’t like what they see at the moment but they are not alone in that,” Taylor said.
“As the manager I have to find a way to make the team function better than we did tonight.
“Moments in the game just dictate everything and certainly the weakness within us to concede that first goal in the manner we did is so frustrating.
“And then they were on top of us because they understand the situation and they don’t like what they see.
“But there is a deeper story. We all know the elephant in the room as regards where players are going to be towards next season.
“But there are still four games left this season so there is enough to play for to show their pride because the supporters want to see fight and endeavour.
“They probably saw that at the start of the second half, which is close to what I want to see out on the pitch, but they didn’t like the way it derailed towards the end.”
Jamie Vardy struck twice as promoted Leicester crushed Preston to clinch the Sky Bet Championship title in style with a 3-0 win at Deepdale.The former England striker, veteran of the Foxes’ memorable Premier League success eight years ago, rolled back the years with goals either side of the break to get another party started.Kasey McAteer also got on the scoresheet as Enzo Maresca’s si...
Shannon Cooke’s late equaliser earned West Ham a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa before their Women’s Super League survival was confirmed.The Hammers had the better of the chances in the first half, with Jess Ziu and Riko Ueki causing problems in particular, but Villa grew into the game after the break and took the lead when substitute Alisha Lehmann struck against her former club.But Cooke ...
Pep Guardiola believes “incredibly fortunate” Manchester City were aided by the dry state of the City Ground pitch in their 2-0 win over wasteful Nottingham Forest.City reeled in Premier League leaders Arsenal as goals from Josko Gvardiol and Erling Haaland at Forest reduced the gap to one point at the top with a game in hand, making themselves favourites for a fourth successive title....
Manchester City reeled Premier League leaders Arsenal back in with a 2-0 win at Nottingham Forest as the title race heads towards a thrilling finale.The Gunners moved four points clear when they beat Tottenham in a frantic north London derby earlier on Sunday, but City immediately responded thanks to goals from Josko Gvardiol and Erling Haaland at the City Ground.Victory leaves them a point behind...
Brendan Rodgers hailed one of the “fathers” of Celtic’s recent success after James Forrest reproduced his vintage form with a match-winning double at Dens Park.The winger capitalised on a first start in five months to score both of Celtic’s goals in a 2-1 victory over Dundee, which kept them three points and five goals ahead of Rangers at the top of the cinch Premiership ta...
Bromley will take on Solihull Moors at Wembley next weekend for a place in the Football League after coming from behind to defeat Altrincham 3-1 in their National League play-off semi-final.Alty scored the only goal of the first half in the 31st minute when Regan Linney tucked away a close-range effort.But the game turned on its head in nine minutes shortly after half-time, with Myles Weston headi...
Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal’s frantic 3-2 derby win at Tottenham shows they are better equipped to win the Premier League this season – but warned his players not to get carried away.The Gunners had raced into a three-goal first-half lead at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s own goal was added to by a Bukayo Saka strike and Kai Havertz header.The hosts ha...
James Forrest hit a double on his first start for five months as Celtic maintained their lead at the top of the cinch Premiership with a 2-1 victory at Dundee.Forrest was drafted in for only his fourth start of the season after coming off the bench to net in last weekend’s Scottish Cup semi-final win over Aberdeen.Such was Forrest’s influence at Hampden that manager Brendan Rodgers adm...
Andoni Iraola challenged his Bournemouth players to finish the season in style after they wrote themselves into Cherries history with a 3-0 win over Brighton.Iraola’s in-form side won the battle for south-coast supremacy thanks to goals from Marcos Senesi, Enes Unal and Justin Kluivert.Victory lifted Bournemouth into the top 10 and saw them break their record points haul in the top flight, s...
Let's start our 7M Daily Laugh today. PSG ARE LIGUE 1 CHAMPIONS AGAIN Tottenham 2-3 Arsenal BARCELONA WILL PLAY IN FOURTH CONSECUTIVE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL! The difference is clear It's just INSANE how this team never gives up, This is the True spirit of a champion. Florian Wirtz's reaction after yesterday's equaliser says it all, even the players don't believe what they are doing toget...
- 1 Stuart Attwell at the heart of the action again in Bournemouth’s win at Wolves
- 2 Pep Guardiola urges Manchester City to remain focused for title run-in
- 3 Everton move closer to safety after ruining Liverpool’s title pursuit
- 4 Odegaard's stunning Wag dances in stands while Arsenal batter Chelsea
- 5 Inside Jack Grealish and Sasha Attwood's sponsorships
- 6 Phil Foden brace helps Man City thump Brighton and close gap on leaders Arsenal
- 7 PSG consider €200m bid for Barca star Yamal
- 8 Barca join Arsenal in Isak transfer race
- 9 Pete Wild proud but frustrated as Barrow edged out of play-offs
- 10 Manchester City keep heat up on leaders Arsenal with win over wasteful Forest