Mixed feelings for John Mousinho after win over Reading
The Portsmouth boss was disappointed with his side’s first-half display but pleased with their improvement despite conceding a late consolation.
Portsmouth boss John Mousinho had mixed emotions after his side beat Reading 4-1 at Fratton Park.
Colby Bishop scored his 16th goal of the season to help Pompey maintain their six-point lead at the top of League One.
Mousinho said: “I am very pleased with the win, but obviously disappointed to concede as well.
“I thought Reading were excellent in the early stages and were causing us problems, and we were fortunate not to have conceded during that spell. They showed a lot of energy and a lot of purpose.
“We changed a couple of things after the first half-hour, which seemed to make them more open and direct. That helped us obviously as we have hit the back of the net four times.
“We weren’t organised behind the ball enough and lost too many challenges and second balls in the first half, but I thought we were excellent in the second half.”
The Royals dominated the first 25 minutes and had several chances of opening the scoring with efforts from Andy Yiadom on 11 minutes and Lewis Wing a minute later.
Paul Mukairu put the simplest chance over the bar from inside the six-yard box and the league leaders instead took the lead on 36 minutes as Abu Kamara broke down the middle and passed to Paddy Lane, who rifled the ball home off David Button’s body.
Marlon Pack and Callum Lang drove home and Pompey made it four thanks to Bishop’s strike, but the Royals got a consolation late on from Charlie Savage.
Reading manager Ruben Selles said: “I think we dominated the first half, and I think they were lucky not to be 2-0 down.
“We came here to defend higher up the pitch and to play well, and I think we did that very well.
“I think we continued to do well even after going a goal down, but the second knocked us back a bit and we lost our composure.
“There are areas we could do better but overall, I was very pleased with the performance, and showed we can compete with the top teams.
“It is hard to take that we have played that well but conceded four goals.
“There is nothing major in terms of injuries. Sam Smith was able to travel and got some valuable minutes under his belt.
“We have two home games now on Tuesday and Saturday and we need to build on how we’ve performed today.”