Here's how the Reading FC players rated in Tuesday night's 2-1 victory against Birmingham City...

Karl Hein - 7

May have slightly misjudged the cross that led to Birmingham’s goal but it would be harsh to really blame Hein. Was excellent throughout, making a number of good saves with his feet while relieving the pressure with a flurry of confident catches from Blues’ crosses. Growing into his role as Reading’s starting goalkeeper.

Andy Yiadom - 9

Always dependable even through Reading’s worst moments, Yiadom took his game up a notch on Tuesday night making up for the lack of Baba Rahman on the left by providing attacking impetus of his own. Won the penalty for Reading’s second goal with a surging run into the box and then had an ever bigger impact when he cleared away Lyle Taylor’s goal-bound chip with the score at 2-1.

Michael Morrison - 7

Looked slightly shaky early on but stood up when it mattered most and led his side to victory. In a team often devoid of leaders, Morrison is a constant calming presence. Once again showcased why he’ll be so critical to Reading’s relegation battle in his 100th appearance for the club. Big player for the big moments.

Tom Holmes - 7

After a number of rough performances over the past few months, Holmes has looked reinvigorated over the last week. Showed signs of improvement at Preston and even better against Birmingham. A few miscommunications in the first half gave Taylor too much space but Holmes constantly won the physical battles and made a few crucial last-ditch tackles and headers away.

Tom McIntyre - 7

Doesn’t have the attacking brilliance of Baba Rahman, but showed that he’s a more than capable replacement at left-back. So strong in the tackle and never willing to give up. Almost impossible to blame him for the own goal. Could see what it means to McIntyre as he celebrated with fellow academy graduate Tom Holmes at the full-time whistle. A breath of fresh air to have back.

Andy Rinomhota - 9

The two Andys will compete for Tuesday night’s Man of the Match and truly it’s tough to pick between them. We’ve already covered Yiadom but Rinomhota was brilliant in his own right, somehow appearing everywhere on the pitch at once while carrying his team forward with his driving runs while stopping a steady stream of Birmingham attacks. So crucial to this team.

Danny Drinkwater - 7

The Chelsea loanee’s best performance in a long while. On the ball, Reading seemed to protect him which allowed Drinkwater to spray passes around the pitch and move the ball with much more speed and threat. A number of decent tackles as well. Certainly something to build on.

Tom Ince - 7

Should have scored in the first half when Junior Hoilett picked him out at the back post but worked his socks off and deserved the ovation he got when replaced by Tom Dele-Bashiru late on. Looked a threat going forwards with the ball at his feet but it was his tracking back and attitude that really impressed.

John Swift - 7

Not quite as influential as against Preston but still a very decent performance from the Reading playmaker. Knitted things together in the front four with his neat short-range passing and little flicks. Looks a different player with Lucas Joao alongside him. Took his penalty with typical calmness.

Junior Hoilett - 8

Won’t get credited with a goal or an assist but was constantly Reading’s main outlet. Caused Birmingham huge problems and on another day his crosses for Ince in the first half and Joao in the second would have ended up in the net. Plays with so much joy - a lot of fun to watch Hoilett in full flow.

Lucas Joao - 8

Stating the obvious here but Reading are a MUCH better team with Joao as the focal point. Makes everyone around him better and can turn minor danger into a goal - as seen with his second against Preston and his effort tonight. So much skill, so much talent, so much class. Fought incredibly hard against Birmingham as well.

Substitutes:

Yakou Meite - 6

Didn’t touch the ball much but looked typically effusive.

Tom Dele-Bashiru - N/A

Not on the pitch long enough to judge.