Reading vs Bournemouth match report: Cherries close on historic promotion with Callum Wilson winner

Reading 0 Bournemouth 1: Manager Eddie Howe hails 'a different kind of win' for his Premier League hopefuls

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It was rarely flowing or fun but it might well be one of the great nights in Bournemouth’s history. Eddie Howe’s team held onto first place in the Championship – with just three games to go – after grinding their way to a 1-0 win away at Reading.

When Keith Stroud blew his final whistle, just before 10pm, the 4,300 travelling fans erupted in joy and relief, knowing that their team had clambered back up onto their perch. It had been an agonisingly slow crawl for them, almost two hours after Callum Wilson had slotted Bournemouth ahead after Richard Surman’s shot was saved. From that point on it was almost entirely a story of whether or not Reading would score an equaliser and, despite an awful lot of effort, they did not.

This was not the sort of performance that has defined Bournemouth’s miracle season but quite the opposite. It must have frayed the nerves of those used to fluent, high-scoring football. Howe was drained and delighted at the end. “It was a different kind of win,” he said in his post-match press conference. “It was a nervy ending, given what’s at stake and how they chased the game. But performances are less important than results now.”

With Norwich City and Middlesbrough both winning their games – Watford play on Wednesday – Bournemouth had no option but to leave the Madjeski Stadium with their own three points. The fact that they kicked off at 8pm, rather than 7.45, meant they were still hacking the ball out of their box at the end when the other two games were finished.

Ultimately, Reading had more possession than they did chances, and the only real opportunity was a Jamie Mackie volley which Artur Boruc repelled with a brilliant reflex save. Both Howe and Reading assistant manager Kevin Keen described that as a turning point in the game. They continued to throw the ball in the box after that, but, even with Yakubu on, they could not break through and risk ruining Bournemouth’s season.

“We defended for our lives and protected our goal superbly,” said Howe. “We showed incredible mental strength to score so early and see the game out in manner we did.”

So when Stroud blew for full-time, and the fans erupted, most of the Bournemouth players sunk to their knees. They had been given an authentic contest by Reading, despite their hosts’ poor form, despite their FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal on Saturday. Reading threw everything at Bournemouth but, with the Premier League just three games away, the surprise team of the season found enough within themselves to hold them off.

“I’d much rather we were playing total football and doing what we’ve done for the majority of the season,” said Howe, who is very close to a remarkable achievement. “But most teams are trying to knock that and knock our rhythm. But we’re finding a new way to win. I’ll take that at this stage.”

Reading (4-1-4-1): Federici; Gunter, Hector, Pearce, Ake; Chalobah (Appiah, 67); McCleary, Karacan (Williams, 59), Robson-Kanu (Aiyegbeni, 81), Obita; Mackie.

Bournemouth (4-4-1-1): Boruc; Francis, Elphick, Cook, Daniels; Ritchie, Arter, Surman, Pugh (Smith, 69); Kermogant (Pitman, 75); Wilson (Jones, 90).

Referee: K Stroud.