John Swift hailed Reading FC boss Jose Gomes’ tactical masterclass after Royals outplayed Cardiff City in a 3-0 romp at Madejski Stadium on Sunday.

George Puscas silenced Neil Warnock’s price-tag criticism with a stunning first-half brace before Swift completed the rout in the 83rd minute.

Things could have been worse for Warnock’s men had Alex Smithies not denied Yakou Meite from the penalty spot following Andy Yiadom’s lung-busting slalom into the box.

Gomes kept lined his players up in a 3-5-2 formation and the three central defenders, Matt Miazga, Liam Moore and Michael Morrison, dealt with the Bluebirds’ aerial onslaught magnificently.

The tactical switch helped ensure Reading’s first three points of the season and Swift hailed his manager’s stroke of genius.

He said: “The manager watches the opposition to see their strengths and he adapts to it. We played really well in that formation.

“We don’t know yet what he’s going to do for the next game but it was a great performance.”

Swift has endured many highs and lows as a Royal, from finishing third-place in the league to narrowly escaping relegation in back-to-back seasons.

And the playmaker urged his team-mates to take their display against Cardiff City and build some momentum – starting with an away trip to West Bromwich Albion.

He added: “It was a great performance and an all-round good day. “It’s massively important that we build some momentum. Every club in the league wants to go on an early run and get some points on the board.

“We’ve left it later than we would have liked but we got the three goals and the three points so hopefully we can build on that in training and take it to West Brom.

“We’ve got a long run and a lot of travelling to come. It’s going to be tough.”