Mark Bowen praised his sides intelligence following Reading's brilliant 3-0 triumph over Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.

Goals from Yakou Meite, George Puscas and Sam Baldock secured Reading's first league win since New Year's Day, further ramping up the pressure on Owls boss Garry Monk.

Speaking after the game, Bowen was full of praise for his side after such an impressive display.

"I said that today was all about showing the right intelligence in the game and making the right decisions, not putting ourselves under pressure in the difficult conditions.

"I thought we started a little slow but as we grew into the game and players like Swift, Ejaria and Olise got on the ball and controlled possession for us, it settled the team down.

"That was the pleasing thing. After going in front, the last three games we've been pegged back. When we got our noses in front it was about showing what we're about."

Bowen gave an interesting insight into the work done by Ejaria and Meite on the training ground, after the two combined to fantastic effect for Reading's first goal.

"We did a little bit of work in the week with Ovie and Yakou, not just playing in straight lines but making sure they came inside and joined in alongside George [Puscas] much like West Brom did to us in the week.

"We talked about it in the week and the boys did it really well, I was really pleased."

Bowen also singled out George Puscas for praise, after the Romanian scored his second goal in two games with the feintest of touches.

"He's claiming it - he was laughing at Andy Yiadom in the changing room, Yids was going out to start celebrating and he saw George coming down and claiming it himself. They had a bit of banter in the changing room!

"Look at Andy Yiadom, coming back in and creating that goal - he struck it beautifully. George is trying - I've said to him he's got to working at his game all the time with big expectancy on not just him, but any striker. 

"Me and my staff have told him brutally that we're going to be hard on you. We're going to keep pushing you to work hard, chase balls and retain the ball better. He can learn and get better. 

"Good players thrive on that expectancy. Two goals in two games, let's see if we can keep that going. He's been better but can be better still."