Leeds United 1-0 Reading: Pablo Hernandez scores winner as Leeds cement top-two spot

Leeds United strengthened their position in the Championship's top two, thanks to Pablo Hernandez's second-half winner against Reading.

Hernandez struck on 57 minutes, stabbing into the top corner after his first shot had been blocked.

Reading had frustrated the hosts until that point and almost snatched an equaliser late on, with Liam Moore denied by Leeds keeper Kiko Casilla.

Victory for Leeds puts them five points ahead of third-placed Fulham, who dropped points in a 1-1 draw at Derby on Friday.

That result gave Leeds a morale boost going into this match, but they were not given an easy ride by the mid-table Royals, who dug in deep in the first half.

Reading keeper Rafael Cabral saved from Ezgjan Alioski and Moore blocked Helder Costa's shot, while at the other end, Casilla turned away George Puscas' effort.

In the second half, Mateusz Klich went close for Leeds before the deadlock was finally broken by Hernandez, who was later denied a second by Cabral.

And that could have proved a crucial save as Moore, acting as an auxiliary forward in injury time, shot on the turn but Casilla made an equally vital intervention.

Defeat sees Reading drop to 16th in the table, but eight points clear of relegation trouble.

Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa said:

"It was a similar match to what we are used to playing. Generally we create more chances than the opponent, we have more possession than the opponent and today was this situation.

"There was a situation in the last minute for them, the number six became a striker and that created confusion that maybe we could have solved from the bench.

"This player had a clear chance and it was a very important save by Kiko Casilla. For some time we were better than the opponent and the save had a big impact."

Reading head coach Mark Bowen said:

"Leeds have lost games by errors here and there, but I didn't see them as a team out of form. They are a well-oiled machine and I am sure they will stay in the top two.

"We came here with a gameplan, it was difficult and we will take it on the chin. I'm disappointed, though. I thought we did enough to come away with something.

"Our gameplan was to keep it tight and counter and we did well to create a few chances. We wanted to press high up and break fast, but we needed more guile with the final ball and we could have done better."