Instant Shane ensures a Long journey home for Geordies

Shane Long popped up to give Reading all the points with the winner at the Madejski Stadium. Long, who has a habit of getting quick goals did it again with an instant strike that should make his agent consider a sponsorship deal with Nescafe. Long was on the pitch for a matter of seconds, but his composure and total lack of nerves made it look as though he had been playing all day.

The visit of Newcastle United to the Madejski Stadium had come on the back of Reading’s away defeat at the hands of Blackburn Rovers. Reading’s record against Newcastle United last season was decent. A 1-0 victory at the Madejski and a narrow 3-2 defeat at St James’ Park which saw Reading hold a 2-1 lead at half time. Last season Newcastle looked shaky under Glenn Roeder, but this time round the Magpies lie eighth in the table following a steady start that has seen them chalk up five wins and just two defeats in their opening nine matches.

A purposeful Reading side had started the game with enthusiasm and desire, but the first half brought no goals. However, it was not due to lack of effort. Two open goals characterised the first quarter of an hour. Leroy Lita scuffed a shot with Newcastle’s goalkeeper in no man’s land. Michael Owen had the other open goal with a shot being cleared off the line by Reading captain Graeme Murty. Reading had plenty more chances to score with Leroy Lita failing to convert a Stephen Hunt cross and Kevin Doyle heading a Murty cross wide before the half hour mark.

Newcastle had few opportunities in the opening period, the only clear chance coming from Abdoulaye Faye who struck a free kick wide in the 40th minute. Faye nearly got a goal at the other end with a miss timed back pass almost catching out Shay Given who was able to back track and clear the danger. Reading carved out two more efforts late in the first period firstly with Lita blasting over a pass from Hunt following good work down the left side by Kevin Doyle; and then a Nicky Shorey free kick that was fired over the Newcastle cross bar.

Reading’s purpose and initiative was finally rewarded in the 53rd minute thanks to Dave Kitson. A stunning screamer of a pile driver evaded Given but nearly ripped the net from the goal. Kitson’s strike was a record equalling 35 at Madejski Stadium, making him the joint top scorer at Madekski Stadium with Nicky Forster. Reading should have added to Kitson’s glorious goal. Kevin Doyle’s 59th minute cross was headed over by the head of Stephen Hunt and Doyle himself tried to emulate Kitson by attempting a long range shot that cleared the Newcastle goal.

However, the next goal would be as unfortunate as Kitson’s was superb. Emre's free kick from the Newcastle right side was diverted into the goal by Michael Duberry, with Marcus Hahnemann stranded. It was harsh on Duberry , who along with the returning Ibrahima Sonko had kept the dangerous Newcastle front two of Michael Owen and Obafemi Martins quiet all game.

Newcastle looked revived by the equaliser, but an away win for the Magpies would have been hard on Reading. It didn’t arrive though. With six minutes remaining, Steve Coppell made an inspired last throw of the dice replacing Leroy Lita with Shane Long. Long’s first touch was to control and shoot the ball past his Republic of Ireland colleague and high into the net to give Reading a thoroughly deserved victory.

By Stuart Croucher