sportinglife.com
Blackburn 3 Reading 3
By Ken Gaunt, PA Sport
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/li ... kburn.html
Blackburn secured a place in the Intertoto Cup next season while Reading, who finished above them in the table,
saw their dreams of Europe dashed.
Reading decided not to put their names forward for the competition in this their first campaign in the top flight.
But such has been their good form this season they were in with a chance of a UEFA Cup spot going into this game.
However, Reading failed to get the victory they craved, although they played some good football and displayed a
never-say-die attitude.
Blackburn took the lead in the 21st minute with Benni McCarthy's 18th league goal of the season.
He took full advantage after goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann collided with Shabani Nonda and spilled a cross from
Morten Gamst Pedersen.
The American was in some distress and came off to be replaced by Adam Federici.
It was a double blow for Reading, who almost took the lead after four minutes when James Harper swung in a corner.
It was headed clear by Blackburn midfielder Tugay but only as far as Nicky Shorey.
The full-back, who has been included in the England B squad, rifled in a volley that curled around the post at the last minute.
Then Shorey came within inches of making the breakthrough after 16 minutes with another powerful drive.
This time his effort beat goalkeeper Brad Friedel but came back off the inside of the post.
McCarthy put Blackburn ahead and almost added a second after 26 minutes, only to head wide of the post following a
cross from Pedersen.
Reading, however, drew level in the 36th minute from a set piece.
Harper delivered a long corner kick from the right and Seol Ki-Hyeon powered in a header at the back post.
Blackburn should have regained the lead after 40 minutes when Christopher Samba peeled away from his marker
following a free-kick from Pedersen.
But the big defender was left frustrated as he saw his header go marginally wide of the target.
Blackburn were caught out in the 48th minute and almost paid the price.
Seol released Stephen Hunt with a long diagonal ball and he raced in on goal but snatched at his effort and dragged the
ball wide of the post.
The home side hit back immediately and David Bentley stung Federici's fingers with his shot inside the area.
Bentley then advanced into the penalty area in the 53rd minute and got on the end of a ball from Nonda only to clip his
effort wide of the post.
Bentley got his reward a minute later by putting Blackburn ahead.
He will hardly score an easier goal as well, tapping it in after Pedersen's effort had come back off the post following good
work by Stephen Warnock.
Reading roared back again, however, and Kevin Doyle pulled them level in the 59th minute.
He headed in his 13th goal of the season following a cross from Ulises De La Cruz.
McCarthy then squandered a chance of putting Blackburn back in front after 64 minutes.
He failed to take advantage of Pedersen's cross and scuffed a shot wide of the post.
Blackburn went in front for the third time when Matt Derbyshire powered in a header in the 67th minute - 60 seconds after
coming on - following a cross from Brett Emerton.
Reading refused to give up and substitute Leroy Lita directed a header from a good position wide of the post in the 73rd minute.
Four minutes later they were again level through Brynjar Gunnarsson, who delivered a low raking drive beyond Friedel to
make it 3-3.
Ivar Ingimarsson then found the net for Reading in the 86th minute only for his effort to be ruled out for an infringement.
STAT ATTACK
Blackburn....Reading
6 Shots On Target 7
9 Shots Off Target 5
16 Fouls (Conceded) 7
5 Corners 10
2 Yellow Cards 0
0 Red Cards 0
What the papers say: Blackburn
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sportinglife.com Reading...saw their dreams of Europe dashed.
Huh? We didn't want Europe, did we?
the sun
Blackburn 3 Reading 3
By DAVID FACEY
May 14, 2007
http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2002 ... 04,00.html
IF this is what Reading play like when they do not want to be in Europe, heaven help the Premiership next season if they decide
to give it a real go.
Steve Coppell has repeatedly claimed he does not want his team to have the added burden of UEFA Cup football.
But their exploits on the pitch keep telling a different story.
They came from behind three times in this rip-roaring encounter and, as the news filtered through that both Bolton and
Portsmouth were being held, Reading poured forward in search of the winner that would have taken them into Europe.
They thought they had made it when Ivar Ingimarrson deflected John Oster’s 86th-minute corner into the net, only for
the ‘goal’ to be disallowed because he had climbed all over Morten Gamst Pedersen.
But even though the Royals did not quite make it, this was further confirmation that Coppell’s side have been a credit
to the Premiership.
Rovers also played their part in a terrific clash, setting the tone when Benni McCarthy stabbed home his 24th goal of
the season after 21 minutes of frantic action.
Boss Mark Hughes insists the South African will still be at Ewood Park next season.
He insisted: “I get fed up of telling people that we are not a selling club. If I was to sell Benni we would undoubtedly be weaker
as a unit and that’s not what I want.
“There is no similarity with the Craig Bellamy situation last year. He left us because he had a clause in his contract that said if
another club met our asking price he could go — and Liverpool met those terms.
“There is no such clause in Benni’s contract so I am as confident as you ever can be in these situations that he will still be with
us next season.â€
Blackburn 3 Reading 3
By DAVID FACEY
May 14, 2007
http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2002 ... 04,00.html
IF this is what Reading play like when they do not want to be in Europe, heaven help the Premiership next season if they decide
to give it a real go.
Steve Coppell has repeatedly claimed he does not want his team to have the added burden of UEFA Cup football.
But their exploits on the pitch keep telling a different story.
They came from behind three times in this rip-roaring encounter and, as the news filtered through that both Bolton and
Portsmouth were being held, Reading poured forward in search of the winner that would have taken them into Europe.
They thought they had made it when Ivar Ingimarrson deflected John Oster’s 86th-minute corner into the net, only for
the ‘goal’ to be disallowed because he had climbed all over Morten Gamst Pedersen.
But even though the Royals did not quite make it, this was further confirmation that Coppell’s side have been a credit
to the Premiership.
Rovers also played their part in a terrific clash, setting the tone when Benni McCarthy stabbed home his 24th goal of
the season after 21 minutes of frantic action.
Boss Mark Hughes insists the South African will still be at Ewood Park next season.
He insisted: “I get fed up of telling people that we are not a selling club. If I was to sell Benni we would undoubtedly be weaker
as a unit and that’s not what I want.
“There is no similarity with the Craig Bellamy situation last year. He left us because he had a clause in his contract that said if
another club met our asking price he could go — and Liverpool met those terms.
“There is no such clause in Benni’s contract so I am as confident as you ever can be in these situations that he will still be with
us next season.â€
http://football.guardian.co.uk/Match_Report/0,,2078909,00.html
Hughes delights at Intertoto spot
Louise Taylor at Ewood Park
Monday May 14, 2007
The Guardian
Draws are rarely this satisfactory. Fans headed home on a high, Reading narrowly missed out on the Uefa Cup place which Steve Coppell feared would overstretch his side and Blackburn achieved the Intertoto Cup slot they craved.
"A terrific game," enthused Coppell, whose team have prospered thanks to an exhilarating brand of football bordering on the gung-ho. "We don't compromise or defer to the opposition," said Reading's manager. "We risk defeat to win."
Like Portsmouth, though, Reading are not prepared to risk the potentially draining effects of Intertoto involvement, thereby allowing Blackburn, who finished beneath both, into the Uefa Cup's feeder competition. "It just means we've got two competitive Intertoto games pre-season rather than friendlies," said Blackburn's manager, Mark Hughes, before stressing he remains "confident" that Benni McCarthy, the Premiership's second top scorer, will still be at Ewood next term.
Blackburn were initially heavy legged and, at first, David Bentley found his style cramped by Nicky Shorey. Sensing impending burn-out, Hughes has asked the Football Association to withdraw Bentley from the England Under-21 squad for next month's European Championship.
Yet Morten Gamst Pedersen was lively and a trademark cross left Shabani Nonda and Marcus Hahnemann to collide as they contested it. With Hahnemann lying injured, the ball span for McCarthy to hook his 24th goal of the season from close range. Though Nonda's attempt to win the header lacked malice it was combative and Reading were dismayed that Alan Wiley allowed the goal to stand. Their sense of injustice was exacerbated when Hahnemann went off with three broken fingers.
Seol Ki-hyeon nipped in front of Nonda to meet Stephen Hunt's corner at the far post and direct an equalising header beyond Friedel but Reading were missing the omitted Steve Sidwell, whose departure on a Bosman free was confirmed by Coppell. "I know exactly where he's gone but I am not allowed to say," the manager said. There is speculation the midfielder will have a medical at Chelsea today.
In Sidwell's absence, Tugay's dominance of central midfield was giving Rovers an edge confirmed by Bentley's tap-in after Stephen Warnock's surge into the area. Yet Reading again levelled when Kevin Doyle headed Ulises de la Cruz's fine cross past Friedel.
Refusing to be outdone, Blackburn restored their lead thanks to Matt Derbyshire's first touch, a header from Brett Emerton's cross. All that remained was for Bryn Gunnarsson to half-volley Reading's final equaliser from 25 yards after Leroy Lita's free-kick was blocked.
Man of the match Stephen Warnock (Blackburn Rovers)
Hughes delights at Intertoto spot
Louise Taylor at Ewood Park
Monday May 14, 2007
The Guardian
Draws are rarely this satisfactory. Fans headed home on a high, Reading narrowly missed out on the Uefa Cup place which Steve Coppell feared would overstretch his side and Blackburn achieved the Intertoto Cup slot they craved.
"A terrific game," enthused Coppell, whose team have prospered thanks to an exhilarating brand of football bordering on the gung-ho. "We don't compromise or defer to the opposition," said Reading's manager. "We risk defeat to win."
Like Portsmouth, though, Reading are not prepared to risk the potentially draining effects of Intertoto involvement, thereby allowing Blackburn, who finished beneath both, into the Uefa Cup's feeder competition. "It just means we've got two competitive Intertoto games pre-season rather than friendlies," said Blackburn's manager, Mark Hughes, before stressing he remains "confident" that Benni McCarthy, the Premiership's second top scorer, will still be at Ewood next term.
Blackburn were initially heavy legged and, at first, David Bentley found his style cramped by Nicky Shorey. Sensing impending burn-out, Hughes has asked the Football Association to withdraw Bentley from the England Under-21 squad for next month's European Championship.
Yet Morten Gamst Pedersen was lively and a trademark cross left Shabani Nonda and Marcus Hahnemann to collide as they contested it. With Hahnemann lying injured, the ball span for McCarthy to hook his 24th goal of the season from close range. Though Nonda's attempt to win the header lacked malice it was combative and Reading were dismayed that Alan Wiley allowed the goal to stand. Their sense of injustice was exacerbated when Hahnemann went off with three broken fingers.
Seol Ki-hyeon nipped in front of Nonda to meet Stephen Hunt's corner at the far post and direct an equalising header beyond Friedel but Reading were missing the omitted Steve Sidwell, whose departure on a Bosman free was confirmed by Coppell. "I know exactly where he's gone but I am not allowed to say," the manager said. There is speculation the midfielder will have a medical at Chelsea today.
In Sidwell's absence, Tugay's dominance of central midfield was giving Rovers an edge confirmed by Bentley's tap-in after Stephen Warnock's surge into the area. Yet Reading again levelled when Kevin Doyle headed Ulises de la Cruz's fine cross past Friedel.
Refusing to be outdone, Blackburn restored their lead thanks to Matt Derbyshire's first touch, a header from Brett Emerton's cross. All that remained was for Bryn Gunnarsson to half-volley Reading's final equaliser from 25 yards after Leroy Lita's free-kick was blocked.
Man of the match Stephen Warnock (Blackburn Rovers)
Mirror Online...
COPPELL BOYS DO IT RIGHT
BARCLAYS PREMIERSHIP
By Alan Nixon 14/05/2007
Blackburn 3
Reading 3
STEVE COPPELL'S Reading players obviously have not been listening to their manager's feelings on Europe.
Because this epic display, coming back three times and finishing one point and one goal from the UEFA Cup, showed they wanted it badly.
The dangerous distraction their manager feared should the Royals qualify for Europe did not put off his men, who ended a marvellous season on a high of courage and attacking flair.
Blackburn made the InterToto Cup - as manager Mark Hughes had demanded.
There is much to admire about the Coppell collective, who have kept going throughout the season while other promoted sides before them have wilted after a bright start.
Reading's fans, some in fancy dress, gave Ewood Park a splash of colour and their team was equally extrovert in their approach.
Nicky Shorey was inches away from giving them an early lead with a spectacular volley, then smashed a shot against the inside of a post and watched as it flew clear.
But it was Blackburn who went in front. Reading keeper Marcus Hahnemann was hurt as Shabani Nonda challenged for Morten Gamst Pedersen's cross, the ball spun loose and Benni McCarthy walked it into the net.
Referee Alan Wiley gave the goal and Hahnemann went off injured with, it later emerged, three broken fingers.
Reading fumed but reacted superbly when Seol Ki-Hyeon nodded in a Stephen Hunt corner.
Europe was still tantalisingly close for the Royals and Hunt should have put them in front when Seol sent him clear but his shot was nervous and wide.
However the passports were being packed away when Blackburn snatched a second goal, from David Bentley, who spared Pedersen's blushes by converting the rebound after the Norwegian somehow hit a post with what should have been a tap-in from a couple of yards out.
But Reading were level immediately when Kevin Doyle found space to steer in a header from Ulises De La Cruz's sweet cross.
Matt Derbyshire nudged Blackburn in front again, scoring seconds after coming on as a substitute.
Admirably Brynjar Gunnarsson hauled Reading level for a third time, his 25-yard drive somehow finding a way through a mass of bodies when a freekick was blocked.
55% POSSESSION 45%
6 SHOTS ON TARGET 4
8 SHOTS OFF TARGET 3
5 OFFSIDES 3
5 CORNERS 10
18 FOULS 7
2 YELLOW CARDS 0
0 RED CARDS 0
ATTENDANCE: 22,671
MAN OF THE MATCH: Shorey
TEAMS AND RATINGS
BLACKBURN: Friedel 6, Emerton 6, Samba 7, Nelsen 7, Warnock 7, Bentley 6, Tugay 7 (Dunn 70, 6), Mokoena 6, Pedersen 7, Nonda 6 (Derbyshire 67, 7), McCarthy 6.
READING: Hahnemann 5 (Federeci 23, 5), De La Cruz 7, Duberry 6, Ingimarsson 7, Shorey 8, Seol 7, Harper 6, Gunnarsson 7, Hunt 6 (Oster 71, 5), Doyle 7, Long 5 (Lita 67, 6).
Referee: ALAN WILEY
COPPELL BOYS DO IT RIGHT
BARCLAYS PREMIERSHIP
By Alan Nixon 14/05/2007
Blackburn 3
Reading 3
STEVE COPPELL'S Reading players obviously have not been listening to their manager's feelings on Europe.
Because this epic display, coming back three times and finishing one point and one goal from the UEFA Cup, showed they wanted it badly.
The dangerous distraction their manager feared should the Royals qualify for Europe did not put off his men, who ended a marvellous season on a high of courage and attacking flair.
Blackburn made the InterToto Cup - as manager Mark Hughes had demanded.
There is much to admire about the Coppell collective, who have kept going throughout the season while other promoted sides before them have wilted after a bright start.
Reading's fans, some in fancy dress, gave Ewood Park a splash of colour and their team was equally extrovert in their approach.
Nicky Shorey was inches away from giving them an early lead with a spectacular volley, then smashed a shot against the inside of a post and watched as it flew clear.
But it was Blackburn who went in front. Reading keeper Marcus Hahnemann was hurt as Shabani Nonda challenged for Morten Gamst Pedersen's cross, the ball spun loose and Benni McCarthy walked it into the net.
Referee Alan Wiley gave the goal and Hahnemann went off injured with, it later emerged, three broken fingers.
Reading fumed but reacted superbly when Seol Ki-Hyeon nodded in a Stephen Hunt corner.
Europe was still tantalisingly close for the Royals and Hunt should have put them in front when Seol sent him clear but his shot was nervous and wide.
However the passports were being packed away when Blackburn snatched a second goal, from David Bentley, who spared Pedersen's blushes by converting the rebound after the Norwegian somehow hit a post with what should have been a tap-in from a couple of yards out.
But Reading were level immediately when Kevin Doyle found space to steer in a header from Ulises De La Cruz's sweet cross.
Matt Derbyshire nudged Blackburn in front again, scoring seconds after coming on as a substitute.
Admirably Brynjar Gunnarsson hauled Reading level for a third time, his 25-yard drive somehow finding a way through a mass of bodies when a freekick was blocked.
55% POSSESSION 45%
6 SHOTS ON TARGET 4
8 SHOTS OFF TARGET 3
5 OFFSIDES 3
5 CORNERS 10
18 FOULS 7
2 YELLOW CARDS 0
0 RED CARDS 0
ATTENDANCE: 22,671
MAN OF THE MATCH: Shorey
TEAMS AND RATINGS
BLACKBURN: Friedel 6, Emerton 6, Samba 7, Nelsen 7, Warnock 7, Bentley 6, Tugay 7 (Dunn 70, 6), Mokoena 6, Pedersen 7, Nonda 6 (Derbyshire 67, 7), McCarthy 6.
READING: Hahnemann 5 (Federeci 23, 5), De La Cruz 7, Duberry 6, Ingimarsson 7, Shorey 8, Seol 7, Harper 6, Gunnarsson 7, Hunt 6 (Oster 71, 5), Doyle 7, Long 5 (Lita 67, 6).
Referee: ALAN WILEY
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Telegraph
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.j ... gbla14.xml
Coppell rues missing the 'Holy Grail'
By Phil Shaw
Last Updated: 12:17pm BST 14/05/2007
Match details
Blackburn Rovers (1) 3 Reading (1) 3
Reading missed out on a Uefa Cup spot by a solitary goal, albeit one of the winning variety, despite coming from behind three times to finish their first Premiership campaign with a rousing draw against Blackburn at Ewood Park.
Steve Coppell, who had claimed he would field reserve sides if Reading reached Europe, admitted his delight over an eighth-place finish was tempered by disappointment that they fell tantalisingly short. "The players had a hunger for it," the Reading manager said. "My public face wasn't perhaps what was going on inside. I felt it was better if I said it wasn't the Holy Grail." Blackburn, who will take up the InterToto Cup berth Reading do not want, kept seizing the initiative. Reading repeatedly wrested it back from them, and both sides had a goal disallowed in the final three minutes. It all added up, in Coppell's phrase, to a "great advertisement for English football - like a cup semi-final".
His Blackburn counterpart, Mark Hughes, also hailed a "great game", adding ruefully: "But we switched off three times." Neither he nor Coppell can rest on their laurels, the Blackburn manager acknowledging the need to keep his top scorer, Benni McCarthy, and Coppell confirming that Steve Sidwell will leave the Madejski Stadium. Both players have been linked with Chelsea.
Reading had to summon their resilience to the bitter-sweet end after losing their goalkeeper, Marcus Hahnemann, who sustained three broken fingers in his left hand during the incident that led to Blackburn going ahead midway through the first half.
The goal had its origins in Tugay's refusal to accept a lost cause. The ball was rolling out for a throw-in when the Turkish midfielder made it his mission to keep it in. Having done so, he careered into the advertising hoardings, whereupon Morten Gamst Pedersen's cross saw Shabani Nonda and Hahnemann lunge together for the ball.
advertisementHahnemann was writhing on the turf as McCarthy walked the loose ball over the line for his 24th goal of the season. He was replaced by Adam Federici, though not before turning back towards the massed Reading fans, as if reluctant to make a premature exit to a season in which he started every Premiership fixture.
Reading were level nine minutes before half-time. Stephen Hunt's corner was allowed to travel beyond the far post, where Seol Ki-Hyeon soared, unchallenged, to head only [
] his fourth goal since signing from Wolves last summer.
Early in the second half McCarthy released Stephen Warnock to slalom through the Reading defence. Pedersen, barely a foot from goal, contrived to turn the ensuing cross against the post, but the ball bobbled obligingly along the line for Bentley to follow up.
Reading's response was positive. Blackburn, having given Ulises De La Cruz the freedom of the right flank, were then equally slack in central defence, Kevin Doyle heading his 13th goal of the season without serious challenge.
Matt Derbyshire restored the home side's advantage with his first touch after appearing as a substitute, diving headlong to convert Brett Emerton's centre. Reading, however, seemed to pick up the news that Bolton were labouring towards the finishing line, and Brynjar Gunnarsson's booming shot from 22 yards ensured their raucous following finished in good voice if not a song for Europe.
Match details
Blackburn (4-4-2): Friedel; Emerton, Samba, Nelsen, Warnock; Bentley, Mokoena, Tugay (Dunn 66), Pedersen; McCarthy, Nonda (Derbyshire 65).
Subs: Brown (g), Henchoz, Treacy.
Booked: Samba, McCarthy.
Goals: McCarthy 21, Bentley 56, Derbyshire 67
Reading (4-4-2): Hahnemann (Federici 24); De La Cruz, Duberry, Ingimarsson, Shorey; Gunnarsson, Harper, Hunt, Seol; Doyle, Long (Lita 65).
Goals: Ki-Hyeon 36, Doyle 58, Gunnarsson 77
Subs: Kitson, Bikey.
Man of the match: Stephen Warnock
Referee: A Wiley (Staffordshire).
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.j ... gbla14.xml
Coppell rues missing the 'Holy Grail'
By Phil Shaw
Last Updated: 12:17pm BST 14/05/2007
Match details
Blackburn Rovers (1) 3 Reading (1) 3
Reading missed out on a Uefa Cup spot by a solitary goal, albeit one of the winning variety, despite coming from behind three times to finish their first Premiership campaign with a rousing draw against Blackburn at Ewood Park.
Steve Coppell, who had claimed he would field reserve sides if Reading reached Europe, admitted his delight over an eighth-place finish was tempered by disappointment that they fell tantalisingly short. "The players had a hunger for it," the Reading manager said. "My public face wasn't perhaps what was going on inside. I felt it was better if I said it wasn't the Holy Grail." Blackburn, who will take up the InterToto Cup berth Reading do not want, kept seizing the initiative. Reading repeatedly wrested it back from them, and both sides had a goal disallowed in the final three minutes. It all added up, in Coppell's phrase, to a "great advertisement for English football - like a cup semi-final".
His Blackburn counterpart, Mark Hughes, also hailed a "great game", adding ruefully: "But we switched off three times." Neither he nor Coppell can rest on their laurels, the Blackburn manager acknowledging the need to keep his top scorer, Benni McCarthy, and Coppell confirming that Steve Sidwell will leave the Madejski Stadium. Both players have been linked with Chelsea.
Reading had to summon their resilience to the bitter-sweet end after losing their goalkeeper, Marcus Hahnemann, who sustained three broken fingers in his left hand during the incident that led to Blackburn going ahead midway through the first half.
The goal had its origins in Tugay's refusal to accept a lost cause. The ball was rolling out for a throw-in when the Turkish midfielder made it his mission to keep it in. Having done so, he careered into the advertising hoardings, whereupon Morten Gamst Pedersen's cross saw Shabani Nonda and Hahnemann lunge together for the ball.
advertisementHahnemann was writhing on the turf as McCarthy walked the loose ball over the line for his 24th goal of the season. He was replaced by Adam Federici, though not before turning back towards the massed Reading fans, as if reluctant to make a premature exit to a season in which he started every Premiership fixture.
Reading were level nine minutes before half-time. Stephen Hunt's corner was allowed to travel beyond the far post, where Seol Ki-Hyeon soared, unchallenged, to head only [
] his fourth goal since signing from Wolves last summer.
Early in the second half McCarthy released Stephen Warnock to slalom through the Reading defence. Pedersen, barely a foot from goal, contrived to turn the ensuing cross against the post, but the ball bobbled obligingly along the line for Bentley to follow up.
Reading's response was positive. Blackburn, having given Ulises De La Cruz the freedom of the right flank, were then equally slack in central defence, Kevin Doyle heading his 13th goal of the season without serious challenge.
Matt Derbyshire restored the home side's advantage with his first touch after appearing as a substitute, diving headlong to convert Brett Emerton's centre. Reading, however, seemed to pick up the news that Bolton were labouring towards the finishing line, and Brynjar Gunnarsson's booming shot from 22 yards ensured their raucous following finished in good voice if not a song for Europe.
Match details
Blackburn (4-4-2): Friedel; Emerton, Samba, Nelsen, Warnock; Bentley, Mokoena, Tugay (Dunn 66), Pedersen; McCarthy, Nonda (Derbyshire 65).
Subs: Brown (g), Henchoz, Treacy.
Booked: Samba, McCarthy.
Goals: McCarthy 21, Bentley 56, Derbyshire 67
Reading (4-4-2): Hahnemann (Federici 24); De La Cruz, Duberry, Ingimarsson, Shorey; Gunnarsson, Harper, Hunt, Seol; Doyle, Long (Lita 65).
Goals: Ki-Hyeon 36, Doyle 58, Gunnarsson 77
Subs: Kitson, Bikey.
Man of the match: Stephen Warnock
Referee: A Wiley (Staffordshire).
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From The TimesMay 14, 2007
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/ ... 785038.ece
Coppell happy to let Europe wait
Blackburn Rovers 3 Reading 3: Blackburn qualify for Intertoto Cup after thriller
Jeremy Cross
Those arriving at Ewood Park expecting a tame contest to mark the final afternoon of the season were treated to a compelling affair as teams not renowned for their flair [ ] shared a six-goal thriller.
Despite the outcome helping neither club to qualify for the Uefa Cup – Blackburn Rovers will enter the Intertoto Cup – it was a remarkable match. Three times the home side were pegged back as goals from Benni McCarthy, David Bentley and Matt Derbyshire, on as a substitute, were cancelled out by replies from Seol Ki Hyeon, Kevin Doyle and, finally, Bryn Gunnarsson, with 13 minutes remaining.
It has been a magnificent first Premiership campaign for Reading, and Steve Coppell, the manager, said: “We are delighted. To be within one goal and one win of Europe is a tremendous compliment to this club.
“To come back three times shows the drive we’ve got. This game was like a cup semi-final, it was terrific. Part of me is glad we haven’t got into Europe. The second season in the Premiership is much more demanding. The travelling and overall burden of Europe maybe wouldn’t have helped us.
Related Links
The ultimate Premiership table
“Looking at the teams to stay up and those getting promoted, we will be the smallest club in the Premiership. We’ll have to punch above our weight again.â€
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/ ... 785038.ece
Coppell happy to let Europe wait
Blackburn Rovers 3 Reading 3: Blackburn qualify for Intertoto Cup after thriller
Jeremy Cross
Those arriving at Ewood Park expecting a tame contest to mark the final afternoon of the season were treated to a compelling affair as teams not renowned for their flair [
] shared a six-goal thriller.
Despite the outcome helping neither club to qualify for the Uefa Cup – Blackburn Rovers will enter the Intertoto Cup – it was a remarkable match. Three times the home side were pegged back as goals from Benni McCarthy, David Bentley and Matt Derbyshire, on as a substitute, were cancelled out by replies from Seol Ki Hyeon, Kevin Doyle and, finally, Bryn Gunnarsson, with 13 minutes remaining.
It has been a magnificent first Premiership campaign for Reading, and Steve Coppell, the manager, said: “We are delighted. To be within one goal and one win of Europe is a tremendous compliment to this club.
“To come back three times shows the drive we’ve got. This game was like a cup semi-final, it was terrific. Part of me is glad we haven’t got into Europe. The second season in the Premiership is much more demanding. The travelling and overall burden of Europe maybe wouldn’t have helped us.
Related Links
The ultimate Premiership table
“Looking at the teams to stay up and those getting promoted, we will be the smallest club in the Premiership. We’ll have to punch above our weight again.â€
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Huntley & Palmer Why, because they don't all think Reading is the best thing since sliced bread? At no time this season have we ever been a flair team
No, because they routinely make daft mistakes...
And because whilst we may not be the 1970 brazilians we are known for being an attack minded side who score a few goals, we even scored 3 in our last away game !
Sunday was a pretty typical Reading performance - lots of guts and hard work with a fair bit of decent football mixed in. The comment suggested it was out of character whereas the performance and indeed result were probably exactly what we are about.
It's not about thinking we are the best thing about (we're officially the 8th best), just about writing stuff that sounds informed, considered and reasonably accurate.
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Royal Rother
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Huntley & Palmer Why, because they don't all think Reading is the best thing since sliced bread? At no time this season have we ever been a flair team
The best way to judge that is to listen to the view of neutrals and many (who wouldn't have hesitated to snigger if we had gone down) have commented to me on how much they admire Reading because of the excellent football we have played throughout the season.
That's close enough to being a flair team for me.
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Uke
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cmonurzBehindu It's not about thinking we are the best thing about (we're officially the 8th best), just about writing stuff that sounds informed, considered and reasonably accurate.
Like Jewell 'relegating' Bradford?
Suspect there is a slightly higher standard to be expected from a professional journalist writing stuff that people buy than a muppet on a low grade football discussion board....
But yes, just like that !
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