Long and Kits do the trick

Reading saw off Manchester City at the Madejski Stadium, thanks to a pair of marvellous goals scored by Shane Long and David Kitson. Long’s combination play with Kevin Doyle was impressive all afternoon and it got its just rewards in the 62nd minute when the two linked up to give Reading the lead. Kitson sealed the game in the 88th minute with a brilliant individual goal.

Having finally chalked up their first away of 2007-8 at the Riverside last week, Reading faced a tough task with the visit of Manchester City to the Madejski Stadium. Sven Goran Eriksson’s side took all the points at the City of Manchester Stadium in November; but City’s 2-1 victory came courtesy of a late winner scored by City midfielder Stephen Ireland. Reading felt somewhat unfortunate not to come away from Manchester with at least a point.

Perhaps City have lost their form somewhat in recent weeks, but Reading knew that City would still pose a major threat to Reading’s quest for a first home win in 2008. Sven Goran Eriksson looked disapponted when discussing the loss of Richard Dunne in the first half. The Manchester City captain had to leave the pitch with a badly gashed shin. City would surely miss the presence and play of the influential Dunne, however that did not become apparent straight away.

City always threatened with Benjani and Elano causing problems, however there was a lack of clinical finishing by the visitors. When Michael Johnson was felled inside the penalty box shortly before half time, it looked as though a penalty was about to be given to Manchester City by referee Uriah Rennie. To the astonishment of the crowd and of course, the City bench, Rennie choose to caution Johnson for diving. On closer inspection a penalty could have been awarded with real justification. From the Reading perspective perhaps it was another sign of their changing luck.

The mention of luck in that context is perhaps justifiable. In the context of the entire match and in particular Reading’s second half performance luck doesn’t really come into it. Reading’s purpose and desire to follow up the wonderful victory at the Riverside last week occurred with football that looked fluent and clever. City, who had a makeshift defence, was struggling to contain Reading. Kevin Doyle and Shane Long were cashing in on City’s problems. When Reading took the lead in the 62nd minute it was courtesy of the understanding between the two Irish internationals. Long flicked the ball out wide to Doyle, who returned the compliment with a decisive pass that Long slotted home with a cool calm finish that is becoming his trademark.

Long and Doyle look and sound like a partnership to be reckoned with. David Kitson may have something to say about that though. Kitson came off the bench late in the second half and showed every one inside the Madejski Stadium, and a certain Italian, that he is without question one of the most talented strikers in the Premier League. Kitson cut inside the City defence and hit an unstoppable shot into the bottom corner of the City net. Kitson’s delight was Reading’s delight. The second goal made sure the points were Berkshire bound.

Reading’s second win of the week also featured their second clean sheet of the week. The corner perhaps has been turned. Don’t be fooled into thinking that Steve Coppell will accept this. There are still nine games for Reading to play. The truth of the situation is clear. It’s not over yet. Coppell knows that and he also knows that things can change week to week, such is the condition of the bottom half of the Premier League table. This can be neatly proved by the fact that Reading’s win lifts them from third bottom to 13th. It really isn’t over yet, folks!

By Stuart Croucher