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Reading 3-4 Chelsea: Report, Ratings & Reaction as Mason Mount Double Earns Blues Error-Strewn Win

​Chelsea's first game under Frank Lampard played on English soil ended in victory as the Blues overcame Championship side Reading 3-4 at the Madejski Stadium despite a string of defensive errors from his side.

A bright start from the hosts was capitalised upon by Josh Barrett who, at the second attempt, lifted a fine lobbed volley over Willy Caballero in the 13th minute after his initial effort was deflected back into his path.

Kenedy

The Royals' lead didn't last long, however, as Ross Barkley bent a wonderful free-kick into the top corner nine minutes later to silence the home crowd. ​​Chelsea grew into the game and took the lead shortly before half-time as forgotten man Kenedy netted from outside the box, his strike taking a deflection on its route to wrong-footing João Virginia in the Reading net.


A whole new outfield XI came out for Chelsea in the second period but it was a case of deja vu for Lampard as his side started sluggishly, as Reading hit back five minutes after the restart. Charlie Adam's inswinging corner was swept home by Michael Morrison after some dreadful Chelsea defending left the defender completely unmarked.


The crossbar was struck by both sides shortly after, with the game opening up and making for an engrossing encounter. Goals continued to rain in as Mason Mount latched onto a mistake in the Reading backline to fire home seven minutes later. And just three minutes after that, Mount got his second after Royals keeper Virginia's dreadful backpass was pounced on for the 20-year-old to grab a fourth.

More mistakes in the Chelsea backline handed Reading a route back in as Michael Olise's through ball cut the Blues defence right open, allowing Sam Baldock to slot home.


Despite some near efforts from both sides, neither outfit could find another goal and the result leaves Lampard with plenty to ponder over, particularly from a defensive point of view.

Reading


Player Ratings


Starting XI: Virginia (4); Yiadom (6), Moore (6), McIntrye (6), Blackett (6); Swift (6), Rinomhota (5), Meite (7), Barrett (6), Barrow (7); Loader (6)


Substitutes: Richards (7*), Walker (5), Morrison (7), Miazga (6), Baldock (7), Olise (7), Howe (6), Novakovich (5), Adam (6), Holsgrove (6), Watson (5), East (5)

Chelsea


Key Talking Point


Lampard may be understanding more and more about his squad following Sunday's clash with Reading, as there were positives and negatives to be taken from his side's showing against the Royals.

Frank Lampard

Going forward, there were good showings from midfield duo Mount and Barkley, but his side's inability to start strongly in either half will provide concerns for the new Chelsea boss. With a different outfield XI taking to the field for both sets of 45 minutes, it appears Lampard has some idea of which side will start their opening ​Premier League encounter with ​Manchester United.

Opting for a midfield diamond in the second period, it made it clear he fancies Emerson and Cesar Azpilicueta as his full backs, while Olivier Giroud's largely anonymous display up front would indicate a preference for Tammy Abraham.

Olivier Giroud

Nevertheless, the home side created plenty of chances of their own, and with no opportunity to make defensive reinforcements, its a matter of ironing out the plethora of mistakes his side make at the back before the face tougher opposition than the Championship outfit.

Player Ratings


Starting XI: Caballero (5); Alonso (5), Tomori (6), Christensen (6), Zappacosta (5); Bakayoko (5), Drinkwater (7), Kenedy (6), Barkley (8*), Pulisic (7); Giroud (5)


Substitutes: Emerson (6), Zouma (5), Luiz (5), Jorginho (6), Kovacic (6), Mount (8), Pedro (6), Abraham (7), Batshuayi (6), Cumming (6)

Star Man

No player in all-blue was unaccountable for their poor opening, as Reading started well, however, Chelsea grew into the game much due to the performance of Ross Barkley.

In a more advanced position as he would have been familiar with under former boss Maurizio Sarri, Barkley dictated the tempo and oozed confidence against the Championship outfit. His performance merited a goal, and it came in fine style in the first half, as he bent a sumptuous free-kick beyond Viriginia from 22 yards. A mention is deserving of Mason Mount too, who performed a very similar role to Barkley during the goal-laden second half.


​​

Looking Ahead

Chelsea jet off to Austria for their next pre-season fixture, as they take on Red Bull Salzburg at the Red Bull Arena on Wednesday.

For Reading, this was the club's final pre-season clash ahead of kicking their Championship season off at home to Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.


Source : 90min