Oxford United player ratings in landmark Reading derby win

Reading-born duo Gatlin O’Donkor and Mo Missanga scored the goals to secure Oxford’s first win over the Royals in 27 years.

The win sees Aaron Ramsey’s men remain third in the league, three points off top spot with a game in hand.

Here is how we rated the Yellows players at the Kassam…

Simon Eastwood – 7.5

Called back into action after Jamie Cumming’s suspension and secured his third clean sheet of the season.

A notable save to stop Jack Marriott and two others kept Reading at bay.

Peter Kioso – 6

Saw less of his lung-busting runs forward as he was tasked with shuffling into a back three on the ball.

Was a bit hit and miss in his duels and was booked.

Michal Helik – 7

Performed well whilst playing through a knock picked up at Barnsley.

Michal Helik heads at goal for Oxford (Image: Darrell Fisher)

Won his aerial duels and even made it all the way to the opposition by-line at one point.

Ciaron Brown – 6.5

A couple of really incisive passes and was strong in the early stages.

A brief scare when he lofted the ball onto his own crossbar.

Jack Currie – 5.5

Struggled to contain the dangerous Kyreece Lisbie at times.

Inverted his position from the left but did not offer too much going forward.

Cameron Brannagan – 9

Absolutely everything needed from the captain in a derby.

Measured aggression, dangerous from set pieces – assisting directly for O’Donkor before whipping in the corner for the second – and brilliant passing whilst covering lots of ground.

Kai Andrews – 7

Some good footwork, neat passing and clever enough fouls to not get booked yet kill Reading’s momentum.

Aidomo Emakhu – 5

His first few touches let him down which set the tone for his performance.

Completed one successful dribble but squandered a big chance to score in the first half.

Aidomo Emakhu battles for the ball (Image: Darrell Fisher)

Tyler Goodrham – 7

Created one big chance and pulled off some nice flicks and neat turns.

Good delivery from set pieces as well.

Siriki Dembele – 7

A slow first half but won fouls in good areas in the second with some driving runs.

Mark Harris – 6

A quiet afternoon but won the free kick which resulted in the opener.

Substitutes:

Mo Missanga (64′) – 7.5

An impressive, instinctive finish for his second professional goal.

Sam Long (67′) – 6

Gatlin O’Donkor takes aim against Reading (Image: Darrell Fisher)

Gatlin O’Donkor (68′) – 8.5

Goal. Assist. Against the team he was released from as a kid.

What more could you want?

Louie Sibley (79′) – N/A

Brodie Spencer (80′) – N/A

As good an impact off the bench as you can get with the crucial first goal and an assist for the second.