Match Reports

Albion v Reading match report

Kenneth Zohore bagged an 88th-minute penalty to secure a deserved 1-1 draw against Reading and preserve Albion's unbeaten start to the Sky Bet Championship season.

The Baggies No.9 coolly slotted home late on to register his first goal for the club and seal a share of the spoils from a lively encounter at The Hawthorns. 

Ovie Ejaria had earlier opened the scoring for the Royals when he drilled home from the edge of the penalty area in the 71st minute.

Slaven Bilić's side were full value for at least a point from their fourth league encounter of the campaign, preserving their unbeaten record heading into Saturday's lunchtime trip to Derby County.  

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Albion showed three changes from Saturday's 2-1 win at Luton Town, handing maiden league starts to Darnell Furlong, Charlie Austin and Grady Diangana, who stepped off the bench to bag a brace at Kenilworth Road.

And it was Furlong who saw big penalty appeals waved away inside the opening minutes amid a blistering start from the hosts.

After the visitors had weathered the early storm, Sam Johnstone had to be alert to parry John Swift's free-kick to safety after 10 minutes, while Matt Phillips pulled an effort off target at the other end midway through an entertaining first half.

Johnstone produced another fine stop to deny Ejaria while the Baggies, causing plenty of problems in the final third, could not capitalise on another spell of pressure which forced three successive corners as the first period ended goalless.

That almost changed in the 54th minute as Austin saw his close-range shot saved by Cabral after good work by the impressive Furlong down the right.

The Baggies saw another penalty appeal dismissed by referee Peter Bankes as Krovinović went down in the area.

But it was Reading who made the breakthrough as Ejaria found space on the edge of the box and duly dispatched a strike into the top corner.

Krovinović sent a teasing ball across the face of goal, Royals skipper Liam Moore deflected Zohore's strike over the crossbar before the Baggies substitute drilled low at Cabral as the home side looked to force a leveller.

And, with the clock ticking down, it duly came in the 88th minute as Krovinović was tripped by Ejaria and Zohore stepped up to ensure it finished all square.

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ALBION: Johnstone, Furlong, Ajayi, Bartley, Gibbs, Livermore (c) (Edwards 82), Sawyers, Phillips, Krovinović, Diangana (Pereira 69), Austin (Zohore 76).

Subs: Bond, Townsend, O'Shea, Brunt.

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