Middlesbrough triumphed for the first time in six Championship games with a 2-0 success over Reading at the Madejski Stadium.
Grant Leadbitter earned them an early lead from the penalty spot after a foul on Britt Assombalonga, who later headed a second following Jonny Howson’s delivery.
After a slow opening the visitors went ahead as Joey van den Berg brought down Assombalonga inside the area and Leadbitter fired the penalty beyond Vito Mannone.
There was then a bad collision involving Royals team-mates Liam Moore and Tiago Ilori, with the latter having to be replaced and the former soldiering on with a bandaged head.
Boro keeper Darren Randolph continued to be well-protected though, and that was maintained after the break with John Swift’s low attempt through a crowded box barely troubling him.
Assombalonga next had a reply charged down, but then headed Howson’s inviting cross past Mannone – who later denied Marvin Johnson after a Stewart Downing effort was already deflected behind.
Visiting defender Daniel Ayala also had a header cleared off the line by Chris Gunter before Sone Aluko’s low drive was diverted away at the other end.
Reading: Mannone, Ilori (Blackett 28), McShane, Moore, Gunter, van den Berg (Barrow 68), Kelly (Kermorgant 77), Aluko, Swift, Beerens, Smith
subs (unused): Edwards, Clement, Popa, Jaakkola
Middlesbrough: Randolph, Christie, Ayala, Gibson, Fabio, Howson, Leadbitter (Forshaw 76), Downing, Tavernier (Johnson 62), Braithwaite (Bamford 89), Assombalonga
subs (unused): Konstantopoulos, Friend, Fry, Traore
Goals: Leadbitter (pen 14), Assombalonga (74)
Ref: O. Langford
Att: 17,928
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