READING will be glad to see the back of Patrick Roberts this season!

After the playmaker’s brace in Sunderland’s 3-0 win at the Select Car Leasing Stadium in September, Roberts was again the matchwinner as the Black Cats left it late to secure a big win and move to within a point and a place of the Championship’s top six.

After a scrappy first half, Roberts and Sunderland came to life after the break but looked set to be left frustrated as Reading and keeper Joe Lumley stood firm. But the hosts stuck at it and Roberts, the best player on the pitch, got the goal he and Sunderland deserved late on to secure a 1-0 win.

Sunderland’s dismantling of Reading in the reverse fixture in September was an early glimpse of what Tony Mowbray’s young team were capable of, in what was just his third game in charge.

While the Royals – who were fourth in the table at that stage – have fallen away, the Black Cats have stuck around in the top six mix and established themselves as one of the most exciting sides in the league, but there was nothing at all exhilarating about a scruffy opening 45 minutes at the Stadium of Light.

While midweek visitors Fulham came to play, Reading were instead intent on preventing Sunderland from getting into their stride – and for 45 minutes they succeeded.

The first half was a non-event, a wayward Amad Diallo pass after 15 minutes rather epitomising the sloppy nature of the home side’s play in a frustrating opening period.

Other than a Tom Ince effort that flashed wide with less than 20 seconds on the clock, nothing happened for 25 minutes, when a Patrick Roberts free-kick was headed over by Ballard, Sunderland’s first effort. Their only effort of note in the first half came again from a Roberts free-kick, Alese heading over.

Reading didn’t offer much themselves, though Andy Carroll made a nuisance of himself just before the break, Sunderland only half-clearing after the striker flicked on a long-throw, with Ince eventually  blazing over from the edge of the box.

After not getting a sniff in the first half, Gelhardt had his first sight of goal just after the break. Played in by Michut, the Leeds United loanee was running away from goal but looked to catch Joe Lumley off guard with a first time shot that rolled just wide of the far post.

It was better from Sunderland. Ten minutes into the second half, Roberts picked out the advanced Alese with a sublime through-ball, the left-back getting it under control before lifting his effort over the bar. Roberts was seeing more of the ball and finding the pockets of space where he can cause problems. He created another chance when he found Trai Hume inside the box, Lumley saving well at his front post.

Alex Pritchard replaced Amad Diallo 20 minutes into the second half and almost had an instant impact, teeing up Roberts on the edge of the area, Lumley again coming to Reading’s rescue. Michut was the next to try his luck but blazed over after Lumley’s attempted punch clearance landed at his feet in the box.

Isaac Lihadji was introduced for his debut but Roberts remained Sunderland’s most likely route to goal and again went close on 80 minutes, firing just over. It looked like it was going to be one of those days but Roberts wasn’t to be denied, and after pouncing on some uncertainty in the home defence, hammered home the late winner.