Latics collapse to home defeat as George Puscas scores five-minute hat-trick for the Royals.

Match Report | Wigan Athletic 1 – 3 Reading
George Puscas hat-trick in the second-half ensures victory for the visitors
Latics had led through Joe Garner’s first-half strike

WIGAN ATHLETIC 1

Garner 35

READING 3

Puscas (pen) 79, 80, 84

Attendance: 8,965 (573 away)

A hat-trick from Reading’s George Puscas inside five second-half minutes saw Latics fall to a disappointing home defeat on Saturday afternoon.

Latics had led thanks to Joe Garner’s first-half goal but a controversial penalty award set the Royals on their way, with a quickfire double following from Puscas after he converted the spot-kick.

Paul Cook made two changes for the clash with the Royals, with Michael Jacobs and Josh Windass coming into the starting XI in place of Jamal Lowe and Kieffer Moore. Joe Williams, Lee Evans and Danny Fox remain sidelined through injury.

Latics started well with a brilliant strike from Anthony Pilkington being tipped over the bar by Rafael in the Reading goal.

They then got ahead on 35 minutes when Chey Dunkley got first contact on a corner and Garner fired in the loose ball at close range.

Just before half-time, Latics almost got a second when Windass volleyed wide at the back post from a Garner cross.

The visitors had a chance to level just before half-time but Puscas headed wide from a Omar Richards free-kick.

Garath McCleary was then put through on goal early in the second-half for Reading but he fired wide before Latics had a great chance to double their lead a minute later as Windass and Pilkington linked up to create a chance for Samy Morsy, who saw his shot deflected wide.

Latics looked comfortable in the game, with neither side creating many openings as the game headed towards the final 15 minutes.

However, referee Jeremy Simpson gave the visitors a controversial penalty which stunned the DW Stadium before Puscas converted from the spot.

A minute later, Reading won possession in midfield and got Puscas in on the right of the area, where he finished clinically.

A further four minutes later, he wrapped up his hat-trick by finishing in the centre of the area. Huge disappointment for Latics.

Joe Gelhardt tested Rafael with a late effort after he came off the bench but it wasn’t to be for the young striker.

Latics: Marshall, Sterling, Dunkley, Mulgrew, Robinson, Macleod, Morsy (Capt), Pilkington (Lowe 65), Jacobs (Naismith 65), Windass (Gelhardt 85), Garner

Subs: Jones, Massey, Moore, Kipre.

Reading: Rafael, Morrison (Joao 61), Miazga, Moore (Capt), Rinomhota, McCleary, Yiadom, Meite (Boye 66), Richards, Pele (Adam 77), Puscas

Subs: Walker, Gunter, Loader, Blackett.

Report | Wigan Athletic 1 Reading 3