Reading go out

Reading and Tottenham faced each other for the third time in just over two weeks as Reading took part in their fourth cup tie of the season. With rain hampering football around the country and causing postponements at Bristol Rovers, Barnet and Sheffield Wednesday, thankfully Reading’s FA Cup Third Round replay was very much on.

However, it was the visitors who made the most headway in the first half. Robbie Keane scored after 15 minutes steering home a close range shot that beat Adam Federici in the Reading goal. Tottenham’s goal was their 9th in the last two and half weeks against Reading. Tottenham were rampant and had chances to double their lead with Federici making a decent save from Jermaine Defoe. The diminutive Tottenham striker could have also scored when he placed a shot onto the roof of the Reading net.

During the first 45 minutes, Leroy Lita was Reading’s most active threat with a number of chances to score for Reading. Firstly he’d blasted over from close range after the Tottenham goalkeeper Radek Cerny had pushed the ball into the Reading number 8’s path. The Reading striker could have scored shortly before half time with two headers firstly heading a Shane Long cross wide and then heading a James Harper cross out of play as well.

With all the recent goals between these two sides, perhaps it was inevitable that this meeting would peter out as a contest. The second half in relative terms was quiet. With a shade of irony the only notable moments concerned crossbars. With seven minutes remaining, Stephen Hunt, who came on late in the second half struck the Tottenham cross bar with a fierce shot from outside the box. Steed Malbranque produced the same trick by striking the underside of the Reading cross bar from inside the penalty area deep in injury time. In terms of concrete chances that was it.

Reading and Tottenham still have to meet each other in the league one more time. However, that game, which is at the Madejski Stadium does not take place until May. Being knocked out of the cup is disappointing, but there are plenty of positives to take from this particular demise. For a start Reading looked relatively solid defensively against a full strength Tottenham side. Alex Pearce, the young centre half was substituted during the half time break, but only because Steve Coppell wanted to change the formation. All in all, the youngster looked solid and didn’t make any mistakes. Kalifa Cisse had a reasonable game in the middle of the back four. Cisse who is predominantly a midfielder ahs plied his trade in central defence before. His experience in that role will be vital as both Bikey and Sonko are currently on African Nations Cup duty.

Of course the cliché about concentration on the league is relevant and not far away. Steve Coppell though is too shrewd to ignore that a cup run can help bolster league performances. What is more the Reading boss seemed genuinely disappointed that Reading would not be facing Manchester United in the fourth round of the FA Cup. However, he need not wait long to face Sir Alex Ferguson’s team, as the Red Devils are the next visitors to the Madejski Stadium.

By Stuart Croucher.