Down to the wire

Reading’s Premier League survival will be decided on the final day of the season but not necessarily by the Royals themselves. Reading suffered a 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur and results elsewhere saw Reading slip into the relegation zone as the last weekend of the season looms.

The crucial moment in the game for Reading was a Robbie Keane goal that came after 16 minutes. Keane broke into the Reading penalty area and slotted home with ease to put the visitors into the lead. It was the 16th goal that had been scored between the two clubs this season. However, both sides never seriously looked like they were going to repeat the ten-goal thriller that took place at White Hart Lane in late December. Both sides did produce fluent football in patches though. Tottenham created the more purposeful openings in the first half. In addition to the Keane goal, the Londoners produced another goal when Steed Malbranque broke into the Reading penalty box and neatly scored but was incorrectly called offside by the linesman.

The second half brought out a Reading side that showed more vigour and desire than they had done before the break. Andre Bikey drove a shot towards the Tottenham goal but was denied by Didier Zokora’s clearing header that deflected the thunderous shot over the Tottenham cross-bar. Marek Matejovsky also had a long-range effort that would have brought Reading level, but the Czech’s shot fell agonisingly wide of the post.

Reading’s attacking did create gaps, which Tottenham nearly exploited. Following a Tottenham break, Darren Bent hit a low shot that struck the foot of Marcus Hahnemann’s right hand post, but the ball somehow cannoned off of the post and along the goal-line and away to safety. Reading looked as though the gods had given them a reprieve.

As news got through to the Reading players that Fulham was beating Birmingham, Reading suddenly stepped up a gear. However, Radek Cerny in the Tottenham goal was in inspired form. First of all Cerny pulled off a wonderful save from Dave Kitson that was definitely going into the net. Moments later Cerny produced an equally impressive save, this time from Liam Rosenior’s long range shot.

Reading were unable to produce the vital equaliser and now must travel to already-relegated Derby County on Sunday May 11th needing to win the game but also hope that they can get a little help from elsewhere. Fulham have to travel to Portsmouth where a win would seal Reading’s fate no matter what the result is at Pride Park. With Portsmouth’s players eager to impress Harry Redknapp for a starting place in the FA Cup Final, Reading’s hopes are not lost. What is more a team with nothing to play for, which may be how Portsmouth are viewed in some quarters, can be just as dangerous as one that has unfinished business. After all Tottenham had nothing to play for today, but still gained a worthy victory.

By Stuart Croucher

Read More......

Reading regains spirit

Reading’s trip to the Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal may have yielded no points, but the nature of the defeat was not in the same bracket as last week’s home defeat against Fulham. Arsenal grabbed the victory thanks to goals from Emmanuel Adebayor and Gilberto Silva. The Gunners also struck the woodwork on two occasions and Michael Duberry cleared a goal bound shot off the line that had been struck by Cesc Fabregas.

Despite Arsenal’s victory, Steve Coppell can take some positives from Reading’s performance. Coppell had made six changes to the side that lost at home to Fulham. The revamped Reading side started with poise and purpose. David Kitson and Andre Bikey were showing real desire as Kitson spearheaded a formation that was playing on the break. The early exchanges favoured Reading but they were unable to fully capitalise on their possession. Jimmy Kebe and Bobby Convey were finding space, but Arsenal was coping with Reading’s attempts to score.

The home side were being patient in the face of Reading’s positive approach. The patience of the Gunners was rewarded in the 30th minute. Kolo Toure’s cross-found Emmanuel Adebayor who calmly controlled the ball with one touch before placing it past Marcus Hahnemann. Arsenal doubled their lead on 38 minutes when Gilberto Silva struck a long-range shot that beat Marcus Hahnemann with a little help from the head of Reading’s Andre Bikey.

The two goals appeared to give Arsenal the points, but Reading did not give up. David Kitson was battling valiantly for Reading, but was unable to find the killer touch. As Reading tried to carve out openings, Arsenal once again appeared relaxed and content to bide their time. Indeed Marcus Hahnemann had the most to do in the second half. Twice the woodwork rescued the Reading goalkeeper as Robin Van Persie struck a free kick against the angle of the goal and then Theo Walcott hit a shot against the crossbar.

Reading’s best chance of the game arrived thirteen minutes from the end when Bobby Convey got through the Arsenal defence but was thwarted by Jens Lehmann who tipped his shot over the bar. Reading was unable to create any other significant chances, but Arsenal’s second goal had long since wrapped up the points.

In truth Reading’s failure to gain any points is not as disastrous as it may appear. Arsenal are still smarting from their season being decimated by the combined recent defeats at Anfield in the Champions League and Old Trafford in last weekend’s Premier League crunch game. Perhaps Reading was ripe for picking by a side that’s pride was badly wounded. However, Reading’s pride should also be smarting as the spectre of relegation refuses to go away. With three games to go Reading’s fate remains in their hands. This defeat shouldn’t dishearten Reading. They didn’t give up and must not do so in the remaining three games. With everything to play for, nobody knows what the final outcome will be.

By Stuart Croucher

Read More......

Time is on our side

Reading’s quest to stay in the Premier League for another season was dealt an almighty blow after Fulham recorded their first away win of the season at the Madejski Stadium. A goal in each half saw the Londoners take all the points. Brian McBride struck after 23 minutes to give the visitors the lead and the game was sealed in injury time when Erik Nevland ran through and beat Marcus Hahnemann with ease to get Fulham’s second goal of he game.

The result was extremely disappointing for Reading, however Fulham did hit the Reading bar on three occasions so perhaps the score-line could have been worse for Reading. Brian McBride, Brede Hangeland and Jimmy Bullard all found the Reading cross bar, but on each occasion the ball cannoned off the woodwork. However, Reading could not capitalise on the three lucky escapes that they had been given.

Reading’s best opportunity to score came in the 40th minute when Kevin Doyle planted a header wide of the Fulham goal. Andre Bikey also had a chance to score with a header late in the second half but was unable to direct the ball into the goal. Reading’s nervous play did not help them to gain any composure or consistency and in a scrappy game, Reading was unable to create too many concrete chances.

With four games to go the result makes painful reading for Reading. However as The Klaxons sang "It’s not over" and indeed it most certainly is not - yet. Reading seemed too nervous to gain a win today, perhaps with the expectations to win at home. Against a side with Fulham’s away form the pressure on Reading was enormous, as a home win was viewed by many as a cast iron certainty. The tension in the air was engulfing and at times quite unbearable. With that in mind Reading must take heart.

Although Reading face a tricky trip to the Emirates next week to face Arsenal, they surely won’t experience the same level of tension as they did today. What is more they will start as clear underdogs. But every dog has his day. Roy Hodgson the Fulham manager will be fully aware of that old proverb. Fulham proved as much, so why can’t Reading do the same next Saturday in north London. Arsenal away looks the toughest match left for Reading to play and will therefore have the least expectations from the Reading perspective. Why then can’t a shock be caused? Reading will raise themselves after the defeat today and who knows they may upset an Arsenal team that seem to be somewhat down in the mouth at present and have an outside chance of the Premier League title.

Reading’s fate still remains in their own hands and with four games to go and plenty of points still up for grabs, it is still wide open as to what will happen next. In other words don’t write anyone off just yet. To finish with a song, this time by the Rolling Stones, it is worth remembering that in Reading’s case "Time is on my side." Once more it’s a case of keeping the faith and hopefully Reading will keep something as well – their place in the top flight.

By Stuart Croucher.

Read More......

Newcastle 3-0 Reading

Reading were soundly dispatched by an in-form Newcastle at St. James Park, although the Royals squandered their chances in the first half to make more of an impact.

Obafemi Martins put Newcastle ahead when he controlled Nicky Butt's pass and buried it beyond Marcus Hahnemann.
John Oster had a chance to level as Reading looked to respond but saw his header tipped away before Michael Owen hooked Habib Beye's cross into the net. Beye set up Mark Viduka, who completed a confident win for Kevin Keegan's men with a sure-footed second-half strike.

Match reports
Royals well beaten at Newcastle (Reading FC)
Magpies cruise to Reading win (Sky Spprts)
Newcastle 3-0 Reading (BBC Sport)
Three and easy for Newcastle (Setanta)
Keegan on a roll with treble hit (Daily Mail)
Newcastle keep the recovery going (The Independent)
Newcastle in ruthless mood (The Times)
Newcastle ease to another win (Northern Echo)
Toon dismiss drop fears with three and easy win over Reading (Shields Gazette)
Red Hot Newcastle Hit Royal Three (Goal.com)

Read More......

Home draw not a disaster

On the day when Derby County’s relegation from the Premier League was confirmed, Reading collected another valuable point with a 0-0 home draw with Blackburn Rovers. Reading was reduced to ten men midway through the second half following the dismissal of Marek Matejovsky for a second yellow card. With Bolton Wanderers throwing away a two goal lead to lose 3-2 at home to Arsenal, Reading now sit six points above the drop zone with six games to play.

Blackburn Rovers arrived at the Madejski Stadium as one of six sides that Reading has failed to beat since their entry into the Premier League. The other five being, Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Portsmouth and Watford. Both sides were keen for victory for opposing reasons. Rovers under Mark Hughes were again going for another season in Europe. The Lancashire side would not have relished the trip to Berkshire, but Reading would also not be too enamoured about playing a side that they have failed to record a victory against since 1986.

The first half failed to produce too much in the way of incident. Although Andre Bikey, the hero of last weekend’s victory against Birmingham City tried his luck after just two minutes with a long distance lob that was gathered by Rovers’ goalkeeper Brad Friedel. Bikey had a tremendous game showing timely touches and tackles as Reading’s defence played its way to a third clean sheet in five matches. The chances for Reading were few and far between in the first period, with Friedel making good saves from Dave Kitson and John Oster.

The second half did not offer too much more. Stephen Hunt could have put Reading in front but could only direct a Liam Rosenior cross wide of the Blackburn Rovers goal. In the 72nd minute it appeared the game was about to swing towards the visitors. Marek Matejovsky was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Rovers striker Jason Roberts. Alarm bells were suddenly ringing loud and clear in the collective Reading mind as Matejovsky left the pitch. However a brilliant point blank save by Marcus Hahnemann from Roque Santa Cruz helped Reading hold on. Indeed Hunt could have given the home side all the points had he made a better contact to a Shane Long cross from six yards out.

In view of results elsewhere, a draw might be seen as a bit of a disappointing result. To hold this opinion would be to disregard the nature of Reading’s performance. The composed play of Bikey and Rosenior have given the Reading defence an air of stability that at times earlier in the season appeared to be non-existent. The psychology of the performance will prove just as important as the score-line. Blackburn Rovers pursuit for a European place was always going to make this game a tricky fixture. The point means that Reading close March with 10 points gained. A month ago relegation looked quite likely especially as Reading were desperately trying to recover from eight consecutive defeats. As we head towards April the Premier League table looks much more positive from a Reading perspective. However do not dare forget the old adage – it’s not over yet!

By Stuart Croucher.

Read More......

Reading 0 - 0 Blackburn Rovers

A game of two halves, at least that's how Royals boss Steve Coppell saw Referee Mark Clattenberg's performance this afternoon. After a quiet first half the game finally came to life after the break - bookings left, right and centre and a red card for Marek Matejovsky.

Matejovsky departed after two bookable offences before Reading keeper Marcus Hahnemann denied Zurab Khizanishvili and Morten Gamst Pedersen. Stephen Hunt should have won it late on, but failed to connect with Shane Long's cross and Brad Friedel pulled off a great save from Andre Bikey.

Match Reports
Stalemate against Rovers (Reading FC)
Reading 0-0 Rovers (Blackburn Rovers FC)
Home draw not a disaster (Back the Boys)
Blackburn in Royals stalemate (Sky Sports)
Reading 0-0 Blackburn (BBC Sport)
All square at The Madejski (Setanta)
Reading claim precious point despite Matejovsky dismissal (Daily Mail)
Reading 0-0 Rovers (Lancashire Telegraph)
Goalless at Reading (4thegame)

Read More......