Reading FC kicked off 2026 in style at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, clinching a confident 2-0 victory over Burton Albion in their League One clash on January 1. With fans braving the brisk New Year’s Day air, the Royals gave them plenty to cheer about, not least thanks to the red-hot form of Jack Marriott and a breakthrough moment for Daniel Kyerewaa.
It was a day that felt loaded with promise from the outset. Reading, sitting 10th in the table and level on points, goal difference, goals scored, and goals conceded with Mansfield Town, were eager to keep their momentum rolling. Their recent New Year’s Day record certainly gave hope: three wins from their last five fixtures falling on or around the holiday, including memorable victories over Cambridge United and Exeter City. The expectation was palpable as kickoff approached at 3:00 PM, with team news dropping just over an hour before.
Burton Albion, meanwhile, arrived in a precarious position—18th in the league, just two points clear of the drop zone but also tantalizingly close to a mid-table leap. The Brewers’ form had been patchy, and with the league so tightly packed, every point mattered. Their last encounter with Reading had ended in dramatic fashion, with Rumarn Burrell’s last-minute strike sealing a 3-2 win for Burton. The Royals were out for revenge, and this time, they wouldn’t be denied.
The opening stages saw Reading assert themselves, with Lewis Wing orchestrating play from midfield. The home side nearly took the lead early on when Wing’s incisive pass sliced open the Burton defense, finding Daniel Kyerewaa in space. With only the keeper to beat, Kyerewaa fired over—a golden opportunity missed, and the crowd groaned in disbelief. But the Royals didn’t let the miss shake their confidence.
Jack Marriott, who has been nothing short of sensational since joining Reading, soon made his presence felt. The striker entered the match boasting eight goals in just 13 appearances and the best goals-to-minutes ratio in League One. True to form, Marriott broke the deadlock before halftime. Matt Ritchie, always a threat with his delivery, curled a tempting cross into the box, where Marriott met it with a deft flick of his head, sending the ball arcing into the far corner. The stadium erupted. Marriott’s clinical finish showcased why he’s become the division’s most feared marksman.
"Jack’s consistency in front of goal has been a massive boost for us," a club spokesperson was quoted as saying in the buildup to the match. The numbers don’t lie: Marriott now sits atop the league’s efficiency charts, a testament to his sharpness and movement in the final third.
The Royals didn’t rest on their laurels after taking the lead. They pressed forward, looking to put the game to bed. Kyerewaa, eager to make amends for his earlier miss, found redemption in the second half. This time, he made no mistake, slotting home his first home goal for Reading and doubling the advantage. The relief and joy were written all over his face as teammates mobbed him in celebration. For Kyerewaa, it was not just a personal milestone, but a moment that gave Reading breathing room and allowed the home support to finally relax.
Defensively, Reading looked composed and organized, a far cry from the slip-ups that had cost them in the previous meeting with Burton. The backline, marshaled by Joel Pereira in goal and anchored by the likes of Andy Yiadom, Paudie O’Connor, Finley Burns, and Jeriel Dorsett, kept Burton’s attackers at bay. The Brewers struggled to create clear-cut chances, and whenever they did threaten, Reading’s defenders were quick to snuff out the danger.
Burton’s woes continued, with the defeat leaving them in 18th position. Their manager, Gary Bowyer, had hoped for a response after a string of disappointing results, but his side couldn’t find a way through. The league remains wide open, with just a handful of points separating teams from mid-table safety and the relegation battle. For Burton, the margin for error is razor-thin, and they’ll need to regroup quickly to avoid being dragged deeper into trouble.
The head-to-head record between these two sides now swings further in Reading’s favor, with five wins, one draw, and three losses in their recent meetings. The Royals’ supporters will no doubt savor the sweet taste of payback after the heartbreak of their last encounter with Burton. As one fan remarked after the final whistle, "That’s the kind of performance we’ve been waiting for—solid at the back, sharp up front, and everyone pulling together."
Reading’s midfield trio—Lewis Wing, Charlie Savage, and Kamari Doyle—offered a blend of creativity and grit, winning key battles and keeping the tempo high. Up front, Mamadi Camara provided energy and width, while Marriott and Kyerewaa delivered the goals that ultimately sealed the win. The predicted lineup, as discussed in pre-match previews, proved to be spot-on, with Joel Pereira keeping a clean sheet and the defense holding firm throughout.
The Royals’ recent festive form has been impressive. Their last five New Year’s fixtures yielded three wins, a draw, and just one defeat, with notable performances from players like Harvey Knibbs, Sam Smith, Femi Azeez, Junior Hoilett, and Lucas Joao in previous seasons. This tradition of starting the year on the front foot seems alive and well, much to the delight of the Reading faithful.
Looking ahead, Reading’s next challenge comes quickly as they prepare to host Stockport on Sunday, January 4. Stockport have been one of the league’s standout teams so far, sitting fourth with 39 points from 23 games and eyeing promotion to the Championship. It’s set to be a stern test for the Royals, but with confidence surging and key players in top form, there’s genuine belief that they can continue their climb up the table.
As the dust settles on an encouraging start to 2026, Reading fans can allow themselves a moment of optimism. With Marriott firing, Kyerewaa breaking new ground, and the team showing real cohesion, the Royals are well-placed to push on in the weeks ahead. The Select Car Leasing Stadium was alive with hope and celebration—who knows what the rest of the year might bring?
