Cardiff City climbed back to the top of League One following a spirited 2-1 comeback victory over Reading at Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Second-half goals from Omari Kellyman and Yousef Salech overturned Lewis Wing’s first-half opener for the visitors, sending the Bluebirds back to the summit with 26 points from 12 matches.
The victory marked Cardiff’s third win in the last five league games and represented another demonstration of resilience from Brian Barry-Murphy’s side, who have now secured successive home comeback wins. Reading, meanwhile, suffered their first defeat in five matches and dropped into the relegation zone at 22nd position with 11 points.
First Half: Reading Dominate as Wing Strikes
Reading entered the match in improved form, having remained unbeaten in their previous four league outings, and they immediately set about justifying that momentum with an assertive first-half display. The Royals arguably showcased superior play during the opening 45 minutes, putting the hosts under considerable pressure from the outset.
Kelvin Abrefa misfired an attempt just over 20 seconds into the contest, signalling Reading’s attacking intent. Around ten minutes later, Wing’s free-kick deflected off Joel Colwill in the defensive wall and struck the crossbar, providing an early warning of the danger the visitors possessed.
Cardiff began to establish some rhythm through Yousef Salech, who narrowly missed the target after excellent build-up play from Ronan Kpakio. However, the Bluebirds nearly fell behind before the half-hour mark when Nathan Trott produced a crucial save to thwart Paddy Lane, who had capitalized on a poor back pass from Gabriel Osho. The defender’s challenging performance proved difficult enough that Barry-Murphy opted to substitute him at halftime.
The breakthrough finally arrived seven minutes before the interval when Reading captain Lewis Wing found space in the Cardiff half and unleashed a powerful, swerving shot from approximately 35 yards. The strike beat goalkeeper Trott, who might have expected to keep the effort out, and gave the visitors a deserved lead heading into the break.
Reading had controlled much of the first half through their higher pressing intensity and quality in possession. Matt Ritchie and Lane had created additional chances for the Royals, who appeared well-positioned to secure their first win in five matches.
Second Half: Kellyman and Salech Complete Turnaround
Barry-Murphy’s decision to replace the struggling Osho with Will Fish at half time proved pivotal in steadying Cardiff’s defensive structure. The tactical adjustment, combined with renewed energy from the hosts, transformed the direction of the match.
Reading came close to extending their advantage early in the second half, with Jack Marriott and Kamari Doyle both creating opportunities. However, the momentum shifted dramatically in the 49th minute when Kellyman equalised. The Chelsea loanee, cut inside from his wide position and fired home a low strike that deflected through two sets of defenders’ legs and squeezed under Reading goalkeeper Jack Stevens. The goal marked Kellyman’s first in senior football and provided Cardiff with the boost they desperately needed.
The equaliser sparked the Bluebirds into life, and they began to assert control over proceedings. With Cardiff creating increasing pressure down the flanks, particularly through the impressive Kpakio on the right side, Reading found themselves pinned back more frequently.
The winning goal arrived in the 65th minute through Salech, who is an important figure in Cardiff’s promotion push. Kpakio delivered an excellent cross from the right wing, and Salech applied the finishing touch with a composed one-touch strike. The goal represented Salech’s fifth goal of the season, with Salech's form picking up after a slow start to the season.
The perfect start to this second half for Cardiff! 👏
— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) October 18, 2025
A first senior goal for Omari Kellyman means it's GAME ON at the Cardiff City Stadium ✅
📻📲 Listen & follow on @BBCRadioWales & @BBCSport online #BBCFootball #CCFC pic.twitter.com/hEFySQAPO7
Osho’s Struggles Continue
Osho’s performance against Reading represented another difficult outing for the Nigerian international, who joined Cardiff from Auxerre in August. His poor back pass that nearly gifted Reading an early goal set the tone for an error-ridden display that prompted Barry-Murphy to remove him at halftime.
The manager addressed Osho’s form publicly, acknowledging that the 26-year-old has yet to find his rhythm in League One despite his experience at higher levels. Barry-Murphy emphasised the need for the team to support Osho through his challenging period while also simplifying his game to minimise unnecessary risks.
The centre-back had previously struggled in the 4-3 victory over Leyton Orient, where one of his errors directly resulted in a goal for the opposition. Barry-Murphy’s willingness to make the difficult decision to substitute Osho at halftime demonstrated his commitment to securing results over protecting individual feelings.
Brian Barry-Murphy says Cardiff must support Gabriel Osho to get the struggling centre-back through his "difficult" run of form 🤝#BBCFootball #CCFC pic.twitter.com/ojoIMHjfIV
— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) October 18, 2025
Cardiff’s Midfield Vulnerability
While Cardiff City celebrated their return to the top of League One, the match exposed a concerning trend in the engine room. The Bluebirds were outplayed in the middle of the park, particularly during the first half, with Reading dictating the tempo and disrupting a lot of Cardiff's rhythm.
David Turnbull and Joel Colwill, Cardiff’s midfield pairing, struggled to establish any rhythm against Reading’s 3 man midfield. The issues were evident from the outset, with Cardiff’s midfield pairing lacking athleticism, allowing Reading’s central midfielders to receive possession in the half-spaces between the lines. This created a disconnect between Cardiff’s defensive and attacking units, with neither midfielder stepping forward to engage Reading’s playmakers or press their passing options.
Lewis Wing exemplified Reading’s midfield superiority, finding far too much space to operate before unleashing his spectacular 35-yard strike. The fact that Wing had time and space to attempt such an effort highlighted Cardiff’s failure to effectively screen their defensive third or apply sufficient pressure to opposition ball carriers. Reading registered 26 total attempts compared to Cardiff’s 11, stemming directly from their ability to win second balls and establish sustained possession in central areas.
Barry-Murphy’s philosophy requires midfielders who are press-resistant and disciplined in their role, yet Cardiff’s midfield demonstrated a lack of this. Colwill appeared uncertain about his positioning responsibilities, often caught between pressing and tracking runners, while Turnbull lacked the defensive awareness to anticipate dangerous passing lanes. This is more of a personnel issue in my eyes, but it is still concerning when looking at the system, as it has occurred on a few occasions with a different midfield pairing as well.
Looking Forward: Bolton Test Awaits
Cardiff face a trip to Bolton Wanderers next Saturday in another crucial fixture at the Toughsheet Community Stadium. The Bluebirds will be determined to maintain their position at the summit, but simply must produce a more convincing performance than the one that saw them struggle at times this Saturday.
Brian Barry-Murphy faces a few key selection decisions, particularly in central areas where David Turnbull and Joel Colwill struggled to establish any control against a Reading team who have typically been very poor this season.
Osho's continued struggles suggest he may remain on the bench, with Will Fish likely to reclaim his spot alongside Calum Chambers or Dylan Lawlor, after his impressive half-time introduction brought a sense of calm to Cardiff's backline.
Bolton will most likely provide a bigger test than the Royals, particularly at home. However, Cardiff possess the quality to grab 3 points if they can create a more cohesive performance at both ends of the pitch. Another win would be a big boost to Cardiff's promotion hopes and demonstrate their ability to bounce back from an unconvincing display with a more controlled away performance, which they showcased at Wigan after a poor display against Bradford.
