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Luas Jutkiewicz scored his fourth goal of the campaign as he drew Birmingham City level with Reading
Reading fell into the Championship’s bottom three and are deep in relegation trouble after being held to a 1-1 draw by Birmingham City.
Andy Carroll slotted the ball home after just six minutes to give the Royals the perfect start, days after the club was docked six points by the EFL for breaching the terms of a business plan.
But Lukas Jutkiewicz’s header midway through the first half levelled the score for the visitors.
Wins for Cardiff City at Blackpool and Huddersfield Town at Watford saw both clubs climb above Reading, leaving the Royals in the relegation zone and one point from safety behind QPR, who were beaten by Preston.
- Relive Friday’s EFL action live
Paul Ince’s side were plunged into a relegation battle this week after the EFL handed them a deduction for failing to adhere to the terms of a business plan, for a previous profit and sustainability rule breach.
The points penalty dropped Reading down to 20th but after picking up only one point on Good Friday while their rivals won elsewhere, they fall into the bottom three with six games to go.
Carroll’s early goal seemed to be the exact tonic Reading needed and came after the ball was passed down the channel to Lucas Joao, who cut it back for Carroll to simply stroke it into the bottom corner.
Yet Jutkiewicz equalised for the Blues after 29 minutes, heading in a cross from Reda Khadra for his fourth league goal of the campaign.
Birmingham, whose place in the Championship for next season was virtually all-but assured already, remain in 16th place and are unbeaten in their past three games.
Tahith Chong saw a shot from a tight angle saved by Joe Lumley at the end of an excellent counter-attack move, while Femi Azeez dragged a volley wide of the post late on for Reading in what was a quiet second half with limited opportunities for either side.
- Line-upsMatch StatsLive Text
Line-upsReading
Formation 3-5-2
1Lumley27Mbengue3Holmes24Sarr11Meite20Casadei8Hendrick19Fornah17Yiadom2Carroll9Lucas João
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- 1Lumley27MbengueSubstituted forAbrefaat 90+4’minutes3Holmes24Sarr11MeiteSubstituted forGuinness-Walkerat 82’minutes20Casadei8Hendrick19Fornah
Booked at 58mins
- Substituted forAzeezat 70’minutes17Yiadom2Carroll9Lucas João
Substitutes
- 6Dann15Azeez18Guinness-Walker21Bouzanis30Abrefa35Ehibhatiomhan36Craig
Birmingham
Formation 4-2-3-1
21Ruddy2Colin4Roberts26Long5Trusty31Bielik42Chang18Chong35Hall17Khadra10Jutkiewicz
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- 21Ruddy2Colin4Roberts26Long5Trusty31Bielik
Booked at 72mins
- 42Chang18Chong35HallSubstituted forMejbriat 70’minutes17KhadraSubstituted forBellinghamat 69’minutes10JutkiewiczSubstituted forHoganat 70’minutes
Substitutes
- 1Etheridge6Mejbri7Bacuna9Hogan12Dean19James27Bellingham
Referee:Scott OldhamMatch StatsHome TeamReadingAway TeamBirminghamPossessionHome48%Away52%ShotsHome12Away10Shots on TargetHome3Away4CornersHome5Away0FoulsHome11Away7Live Text Post update
Match ends, Reading 1, Birmingham City 1.
90’+7’Full Time
Second Half ends, Reading 1, Birmingham City 1.
90’+4’Post update
Attempt saved. Jeff Hendrick (Reading) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
90’+4’Substitution
Substitution, Reading. Kelvin Abrefa replaces Amadou Salif Mbengue.
90’+3’Post update
Foul by Krystian Bielik (Birmingham City).
90’+3’Post update
Cesare Casadei (Reading) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
90’+2’Post update
Attempt saved. Alfie Chang (Birmingham City) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Jobe Bellingham.
90’+1’Post update
Cesare Casadei (Reading) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90’+1’Post update
Foul by Auston Trusty (Birmingham City).
90’Post update
Foul by Amadou Salif Mbengue (Reading).
90’Post update
Hannibal Mejbri (Birmingham City) wins a free kick on the left wing.
88’Post update
Offside, Reading. Andy Yiadom tries a through ball, but Lucas João is caught offside.
88’Post update
Attempt missed. Femi Azeez (Reading) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left.
85’Post update
Foul by Andy Yiadom (Reading).
85’Post update
Tahith Chong (Birmingham City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
82’Substitution
Substitution, Reading. Nesta Guinness-Walker replaces Yakou Meite.
81’Post update
Attempt missed. Andy Carroll (Reading) left footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right following a corner.
81’Post update
Attempt blocked. Naby Sarr (Reading) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
80’Post update
Corner, Reading. Conceded by Kevin Long.
78’Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
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Source: bbc.com