http://observer.guardian.co.uk/sport/story/0,,1922916,00.html
Rattled Chelsea get better of Reading after keeper crisis
Amy Lawrence at the Madjeski Stadium
Sunday October 15, 2006
The Observer
It was not just Reading who lost it. On the occasion when their 14-month unbeaten home record was put to the sword, Chelsea's composure was rattled as John Obi Mikel was dismissed, Frank Lampard accused of diving and John Terry trod on thin ice with persistent dissent before completing the game in goal. It is as if the mere thought of Barcelona raises Chelsea's hackles sufficiently to put them in a foul mood.
On the upside, they gained three important points from a fierce tussle in which they lost their goalkeeper, Petr Cech, from a nasty collision in the opening minute, and demonstrated the resilience to rejoin Manchester United at the Premiership summit despite finishing the game with nine men once substitute goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini was also injured in stoppage time. They do, however, need to take a deep breath before Frank Rijkaard brings the European Champions to Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night.
Although Reading struggled to produce even a fraction of the offensive guile possessed by Barcelona's brightest, Chelsea required a fortunate goal to win here. They were lucky to have the chance, and lucky to see it nestle in the net after Lampard's free-kick was deflected twice; it goes down as an Ivar Ingimarsson own goal. The margin was so delicate Didier Drogba - who fought tremendously - cleared off his line in a dramatic injury time period in which a Chelsea official was also sent from the bench following a melee over an unreturned ball.
It was more learning curve than serious setback for Reading. Steve Coppell had described the visit of Jose Mourinho's serial winners as 'a terrifically proud moment for us'. Matching that moment with a terrifically proud performance was the more pressing issue, and it made for a physical, hotly competitive match.
An early victim of the game's tense energy was Cech. Only 30 seconds into proceedings Reading's Stephen Hunt followed up an aimless punt that Cech had smothered, only to catch the Czech keeper in the face with his right knee. Cech required treatment for four minutes, before being carried off in visible discomfort. His condition was said to have worsened by the time he reached hospital, and he was reported to be suffering from mild concussion.
Cudicini took up position in goal, only to bizarrely end the game as the second Chelsea goalkeeper floored. This time the damage was done by Ibrahima Sonko, who charged at the Italian as Reading sought a last-gasp equaliser.
The game was littered with heavy-impact moments. In the first half Paulo Ferreira fell awkwardly when a cluster of players jumped for the same ball. Chelsea were furious that Reading played on, although nothing came of it. Coppell's team struggled to create dangerous chances. Leroy Lita looked raw against the club who discarded him at 16. Kevin Doyle was more assured, and might have scored when he slammed the ball against the frame of the goal.
The visitors' tempers were beginning to fray. John Terry was fortunate to avoid a booking for dissent after he fouled Doyle. Chelsea's lack of focus was also evident in their play as within the space of a minute both Lampard and Mikel casually lost possession in midfield.
Lampard helped Chelsea to break the deadlock but Reading felt doubly sore about the goal conceded in the 45th minute after the England midfielder won a controversial free-kick. Just outside the penalty area, he eased himself into and over the leg of the excellent Sonko, who was booked. Lampard then struck the set piece that, despite veering wide courtesy of a ricochet off Terry, was deflected again past Marcus Hahnemann by Ingimarsson.
Chelsea's mood appeared not to have lightened after the break. Terry was cautioned for dissent. Reading had frustrations of their own, with the opposition defence not easily breached. Michael Essien, playing the Claude Makelele role to perfection, and Khalid Boulahrouz, were influential for the Champions.
On the hour, Chelsea were accused of unfair play by the home fans again, as Mikel hauled back Sonko. It was his second yellow card, and the young Nigerian looked distraught to be shown red by Riley.
Could Reading dig their way back in to the game against 10 men? Steve Sidwell's shot fizzed past the post. But they will be disappointed by their inability to really test Cudicini. Their efforts were hampered when Andre Bikey was dismissed late on for a second bookable foul.
Reading have gained considerable experience in their debut season in the Premiership so far. Never before in a history that dates back to 1871 had Reading played a league match against the reigning Champions of England. They will have learned more than they could possibly imagine about life against the biggest boys in the land.
What the papers say
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Reading 0 Chelsea 1
By Jon West, PA Sport
Click here for full match stats
Champions Chelsea required a deflected Frank Lampard free-kick to claim a 1-0 win at Reading and regain parity with leaders Manchester United at the top of the Premiership.
The victory came at a cost however as goalkeepers Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini were both stretchered off on an evening when expensive summer signing Mikel Jon Obi was also red-carded.
Chelsea must now prepare for their Stamford Bridge showdown with Barcelona in midweek in fear of having to play their third choice goalkeeper.
Reading made Jose Mourinho's side fight all the way - literally on some occasions as erratic referee Mike Riley struggled to maintain control - and striker Kevin Doyle hit a post in the first half.
The result ended a 31-game unbeaten run at the Madejski Stadium for the Premiership newcomers, who had seen manager Steve Coppell named manager of the month following a fine start to the campaign few pundits had predicted.
That this was to be no dull evening was apparent from the very first minute when Stephen Hunt marked his first Premiership start by catching Cech a blow to the head as the goalkeeper slid out to collect a throughball.
The Czech international was stretchered off following four minutes of treatment to be replaced by Cudicini.
Reading defender Ivar Ingimarsson quickly identified himself as the game's most conspicuous character by heading a good early chance wide after Hunt had picked him out from a corner.
Chelsea replied with a long-range effort from Andriy Shevchenko that Marcus Hahnemann was able to deal with but the American goalkeeper was completely flummoxed by Ingimarsson's next contribution.
That was a header on to his own bar after Paulo Ferreira, one of four changes to the Chelsea line-up, had supplied a pacy cross from the right.
Arjen Robben fired a good opportunity across goal and wide before Ingimarsson was booked for barging into Shevchenko just before the half-hour mark.
Reading's best opportunity of the half arrived four minutes later when Doyle, whose penalty had set up a 1-1 draw with Manchester United in the previous home match, struck a post.
Hunt had set up the chance with a run into the danger zone from the left that combined control with persistence and Doyle, shooting on the turn, saw his effort smack Cudicini's left-hand post.
Royals skipper Graeme Murty limped off soon after to be replaced by Andre Bikey as the champions finished the half strongly.
First Didier Drogba fired a free-kick over and then forced a save from Hahnemann before fortune favoured Mourinho's men in the shape of a stoppage-time lead.
Lampard won a free-kick in the 'D' as Ibrahima Sonko challenged and the defender's booking seemed especially harsh as the England man appeared to have gone down all too easily.
Worse misfortune was the follow for the home side as Lampard's low free-kick was diverted past Hahnemann off the boot of - inevitably - the luckless Ingimarsson.
John Terry was booked for dissent seven minutes after the restart after the England skipper had needed to be smart to prevent Leroy Lita from getting on the end of a Doyle cross, with the speed Hunt was allowed to take a free-kick presumably his main beef with referee Mike Riley.
Michael Essien needed treatment just before the hour mark after being caught in the face as Doyle challenged and in the 62nd minute Chelsea were down to 10 men when Mikel received his second yellow.
The Nigerian, who had been booked in the 43rd minute for tripping Hunt, hauled Sonko back by the shoulders and had to go.
Joe Cole, back after a knee injury came on for Shevchenko straight after and instantly sparked a mass shoving match by going to ground as Steve Sidwell challenged.
Sidwell then fired a long-range shot narrowly wide before Reading sent Shane Long on for Lita with 17 minutes remaining. A Bikey booking, for a foul on Drogba, followed and when the Cameroon international impeded the striker again he was also banished to the stands to make it 10 against 10 for the remaining six minutes.
The final act of an extraordinary tale saw Drogba hook a goal-bound header from Nicky Shorey away before it could cross the line in stoppage time.
Cudicini was on the ground at that point, having been clattered by Sonko as Reading piled bodies forward in search of a last-gasp equaliser.
Again play was held up at length; again the Chelsea goalkeeper was unable to continue and Terry had to go in goal for the remaining seconds.
Teams
Reading Hahnemann, Murty (Bikey 36), Sonko, Ingimarsson,Shorey, Ki-Hyeon (Little 64), Sidwell, Harper, Hunt,Lita (Long 73), Doyle.
Subs Not Used: Stack, Gunnarsson.
Sent Off: Bikey (83).
Booked: Ingimarsson, Sonko, Bikey.
Chelsea Cech (Cudicini 5), Paulo Ferreira, Terry, Boulahrouz,Bridge, Obi, Lampard, Essien, Robben (Kalou 82),Shevchenko (Joe Cole 63), Drogba.
Subs Not Used: Ricardo Carvalho, Wright-Phillips.
Sent Off: Obi (62).
Booked: Obi, Terry.
Goals: Ingimarsson 45 og.
Att: 24,025
Ref: M Riley (W Yorkshire).
By Jon West, PA Sport
Click here for full match stats
Champions Chelsea required a deflected Frank Lampard free-kick to claim a 1-0 win at Reading and regain parity with leaders Manchester United at the top of the Premiership.
The victory came at a cost however as goalkeepers Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini were both stretchered off on an evening when expensive summer signing Mikel Jon Obi was also red-carded.
Chelsea must now prepare for their Stamford Bridge showdown with Barcelona in midweek in fear of having to play their third choice goalkeeper.
Reading made Jose Mourinho's side fight all the way - literally on some occasions as erratic referee Mike Riley struggled to maintain control - and striker Kevin Doyle hit a post in the first half.
The result ended a 31-game unbeaten run at the Madejski Stadium for the Premiership newcomers, who had seen manager Steve Coppell named manager of the month following a fine start to the campaign few pundits had predicted.
That this was to be no dull evening was apparent from the very first minute when Stephen Hunt marked his first Premiership start by catching Cech a blow to the head as the goalkeeper slid out to collect a throughball.
The Czech international was stretchered off following four minutes of treatment to be replaced by Cudicini.
Reading defender Ivar Ingimarsson quickly identified himself as the game's most conspicuous character by heading a good early chance wide after Hunt had picked him out from a corner.
Chelsea replied with a long-range effort from Andriy Shevchenko that Marcus Hahnemann was able to deal with but the American goalkeeper was completely flummoxed by Ingimarsson's next contribution.
That was a header on to his own bar after Paulo Ferreira, one of four changes to the Chelsea line-up, had supplied a pacy cross from the right.
Arjen Robben fired a good opportunity across goal and wide before Ingimarsson was booked for barging into Shevchenko just before the half-hour mark.
Reading's best opportunity of the half arrived four minutes later when Doyle, whose penalty had set up a 1-1 draw with Manchester United in the previous home match, struck a post.
Hunt had set up the chance with a run into the danger zone from the left that combined control with persistence and Doyle, shooting on the turn, saw his effort smack Cudicini's left-hand post.
Royals skipper Graeme Murty limped off soon after to be replaced by Andre Bikey as the champions finished the half strongly.
First Didier Drogba fired a free-kick over and then forced a save from Hahnemann before fortune favoured Mourinho's men in the shape of a stoppage-time lead.
Lampard won a free-kick in the 'D' as Ibrahima Sonko challenged and the defender's booking seemed especially harsh as the England man appeared to have gone down all too easily.
Worse misfortune was the follow for the home side as Lampard's low free-kick was diverted past Hahnemann off the boot of - inevitably - the luckless Ingimarsson.
John Terry was booked for dissent seven minutes after the restart after the England skipper had needed to be smart to prevent Leroy Lita from getting on the end of a Doyle cross, with the speed Hunt was allowed to take a free-kick presumably his main beef with referee Mike Riley.
Michael Essien needed treatment just before the hour mark after being caught in the face as Doyle challenged and in the 62nd minute Chelsea were down to 10 men when Mikel received his second yellow.
The Nigerian, who had been booked in the 43rd minute for tripping Hunt, hauled Sonko back by the shoulders and had to go.
Joe Cole, back after a knee injury came on for Shevchenko straight after and instantly sparked a mass shoving match by going to ground as Steve Sidwell challenged.
Sidwell then fired a long-range shot narrowly wide before Reading sent Shane Long on for Lita with 17 minutes remaining. A Bikey booking, for a foul on Drogba, followed and when the Cameroon international impeded the striker again he was also banished to the stands to make it 10 against 10 for the remaining six minutes.
The final act of an extraordinary tale saw Drogba hook a goal-bound header from Nicky Shorey away before it could cross the line in stoppage time.
Cudicini was on the ground at that point, having been clattered by Sonko as Reading piled bodies forward in search of a last-gasp equaliser.
Again play was held up at length; again the Chelsea goalkeeper was unable to continue and Terry had to go in goal for the remaining seconds.
Teams
Reading Hahnemann, Murty (Bikey 36), Sonko, Ingimarsson,Shorey, Ki-Hyeon (Little 64), Sidwell, Harper, Hunt,Lita (Long 73), Doyle.
Subs Not Used: Stack, Gunnarsson.
Sent Off: Bikey (83).
Booked: Ingimarsson, Sonko, Bikey.
Chelsea Cech (Cudicini 5), Paulo Ferreira, Terry, Boulahrouz,Bridge, Obi, Lampard, Essien, Robben (Kalou 82),Shevchenko (Joe Cole 63), Drogba.
Subs Not Used: Ricardo Carvalho, Wright-Phillips.
Sent Off: Obi (62).
Booked: Obi, Terry.
Goals: Ingimarsson 45 og.
Att: 24,025
Ref: M Riley (W Yorkshire).
http://sport.independent.co.uk/football ... 873888.ece
Reading 0 Chelsea 1: Chelsea's keepers left seeing double
Captain Terry ends up in goal as Jose's stricken side hold on for victory against all the odds
By Nick Townsend at The Madejski Stadium
Published: 15 October 2006
Just what Steve Coppell needed the day after suffering the curse of being Manager of the Month. The curse of facing the champions. The result tells the story everyone anticipated. The reality is different as Coppell's men were beaten by a goal from a free-kick, dubiously won by Frank Lampard, and which had its place in the pinball arcade rather than the football pitch.
It was a game which began in subdued fashion as Coppell's well-drilled rearguard allowed the Londoners few opportunities; yet it degenerated in the second half, following the dismissal of the John Obi Mikel, for two bookable offences, around the hour.
The Nigerian youngster had to be restrained by his team-mate Didier Drogba from making his situation even worse as he harangued the referee, Mike Riley. It was all characterised by the England and Chelsea captain, John Terry, being cautioned for dissent; not the first occasion he had been guilty.
There had been a suspicion that Chelsea, with 20 players on international duty in midweek, and with Wednesday's Champions League game against Barcelona on their minds, may have been mentally baring their necks for a potential kill against a team who had held Manchester United here three weeks ago, and were undefeated in four games. Jose Mourinho's men were not at their most imperious, but just produced sufficient class and grit on a day when Manchester United had earlier advanced by three points.
The home rearguard are not the wild bunch that may be expected of a promoted team. Last season, Ibrahima Sonko and Ivar Ingimarsson received just one yellow between them. Coppell's demand for teamwork and industry does not include physical excess. Before yesterday, Reading had committed the fewest fouls in the Premiership.
Andre Bikey spoiled that late on by being sent off for a second bookable offence, but it had taken Reading only a minute to concede a yellow card when Stephen Hunt, replacing the injured Bobby Convey, caught goalkeeper Petr Cech in the face with his knee as he slid in on a through ball. It appeared innocuous, but after a near four- minute delay, the Czech Republic goalkeeper was replaced by Carlo Cudicini and taken to hospital with mild concussion.
Undefeated at home for 14 months, all of 25 games ago, Reading started the day three points behind the champions. Mourinho concedes that teams coming up from lower Leagues as winners have a good mentality. He was to prove correct. Though Chelsea played smooth, precise football, they found it difficult to break through.
They came closest in the early stages when Paulo Ferreira dispatched a cross which Marcus Hahnemann had covered, only for James Harper to intervene and head against his own crossbar. Then Robben fired across goal. Ferreira spent most of his time in the Reading half, leaving Chelsea with three at the back. They could afford to do so.
But it was Reading who came closest to taking the lead 12 minutes from half-time when Hunt cleverly worked the ball to Kevin Doyle deep in the area. The Republic of Ireland striker had his back to the goal, but he turned superbly to get in his shot, only to strike the post.
Reading's relative composure in defence was disrupted when their captain and right-back Graeme Murty departed, to be replaced by Bikey. In added time, Lampard was brought down on the edge of the area by Sonko. The England midfielder took the free-kick himself, and it looked to be deflected wide by the wall, but then struck the unfortunate Ingimarsson and ricocheted into the net.
After the interval, Chelsea appeared to be easing themselves towards victory when Mikel was sent off, having already been booked, for yanking Sonko's shirt. The outcome was now in question, and Joe Cole was brought on, in place of Shevchenko, who had again been below par.
Steve Sidwell came close to an equalier with a fine drive in the final minutes; then Drogba headed off the line from Shorey. In the same mêlée, Cudicini was knocked to the ground by Sonko. Terry ended up in goal. The match finished as it had started. A goalkeeper flattened.
And Chelsea still clinging desperately to the leaders, Manchester United.
Just what Steve Coppell needed the day after suffering the curse of being Manager of the Month. The curse of facing the champions. The result tells the story everyone anticipated. The reality is different as Coppell's men were beaten by a goal from a free-kick, dubiously won by Frank Lampard, and which had its place in the pinball arcade rather than the football pitch.
It was a game which began in subdued fashion as Coppell's well-drilled rearguard allowed the Londoners few opportunities; yet it degenerated in the second half, following the dismissal of the John Obi Mikel, for two bookable offences, around the hour.
The Nigerian youngster had to be restrained by his team-mate Didier Drogba from making his situation even worse as he harangued the referee, Mike Riley. It was all characterised by the England and Chelsea captain, John Terry, being cautioned for dissent; not the first occasion he had been guilty.
There had been a suspicion that Chelsea, with 20 players on international duty in midweek, and with Wednesday's Champions League game against Barcelona on their minds, may have been mentally baring their necks for a potential kill against a team who had held Manchester United here three weeks ago, and were undefeated in four games. Jose Mourinho's men were not at their most imperious, but just produced sufficient class and grit on a day when Manchester United had earlier advanced by three points.
The home rearguard are not the wild bunch that may be expected of a promoted team. Last season, Ibrahima Sonko and Ivar Ingimarsson received just one yellow between them. Coppell's demand for teamwork and industry does not include physical excess. Before yesterday, Reading had committed the fewest fouls in the Premiership.
Andre Bikey spoiled that late on by being sent off for a second bookable offence, but it had taken Reading only a minute to concede a yellow card when Stephen Hunt, replacing the injured Bobby Convey, caught goalkeeper Petr Cech in the face with his knee as he slid in on a through ball. It appeared innocuous, but after a near four- minute delay, the Czech Republic goalkeeper was replaced by Carlo Cudicini and taken to hospital with mild concussion.
Undefeated at home for 14 months, all of 25 games ago, Reading started the day three points behind the champions. Mourinho concedes that teams coming up from lower Leagues as winners have a good mentality. He was to prove correct. Though Chelsea played smooth, precise football, they found it difficult to break through.
They came closest in the early stages when Paulo Ferreira dispatched a cross which Marcus Hahnemann had covered, only for James Harper to intervene and head against his own crossbar. Then Robben fired across goal. Ferreira spent most of his time in the Reading half, leaving Chelsea with three at the back. They could afford to do so.
But it was Reading who came closest to taking the lead 12 minutes from half-time when Hunt cleverly worked the ball to Kevin Doyle deep in the area. The Republic of Ireland striker had his back to the goal, but he turned superbly to get in his shot, only to strike the post.
Reading's relative composure in defence was disrupted when their captain and right-back Graeme Murty departed, to be replaced by Bikey. In added time, Lampard was brought down on the edge of the area by Sonko. The England midfielder took the free-kick himself, and it looked to be deflected wide by the wall, but then struck the unfortunate Ingimarsson and ricocheted into the net.
After the interval, Chelsea appeared to be easing themselves towards victory when Mikel was sent off, having already been booked, for yanking Sonko's shirt. The outcome was now in question, and Joe Cole was brought on, in place of Shevchenko, who had again been below par.
Steve Sidwell came close to an equalier with a fine drive in the final minutes; then Drogba headed off the line from Shorey. In the same mêlée, Cudicini was knocked to the ground by Sonko. Terry ended up in goal. The match finished as it had started. A goalkeeper flattened.
And Chelsea still clinging desperately to the leaders, Manchester United.
Reading 0 Chelsea 1: Chelsea's keepers left seeing double
Captain Terry ends up in goal as Jose's stricken side hold on for victory against all the odds
By Nick Townsend at The Madejski Stadium
Published: 15 October 2006
Just what Steve Coppell needed the day after suffering the curse of being Manager of the Month. The curse of facing the champions. The result tells the story everyone anticipated. The reality is different as Coppell's men were beaten by a goal from a free-kick, dubiously won by Frank Lampard, and which had its place in the pinball arcade rather than the football pitch.
It was a game which began in subdued fashion as Coppell's well-drilled rearguard allowed the Londoners few opportunities; yet it degenerated in the second half, following the dismissal of the John Obi Mikel, for two bookable offences, around the hour.
The Nigerian youngster had to be restrained by his team-mate Didier Drogba from making his situation even worse as he harangued the referee, Mike Riley. It was all characterised by the England and Chelsea captain, John Terry, being cautioned for dissent; not the first occasion he had been guilty.
There had been a suspicion that Chelsea, with 20 players on international duty in midweek, and with Wednesday's Champions League game against Barcelona on their minds, may have been mentally baring their necks for a potential kill against a team who had held Manchester United here three weeks ago, and were undefeated in four games. Jose Mourinho's men were not at their most imperious, but just produced sufficient class and grit on a day when Manchester United had earlier advanced by three points.
The home rearguard are not the wild bunch that may be expected of a promoted team. Last season, Ibrahima Sonko and Ivar Ingimarsson received just one yellow between them. Coppell's demand for teamwork and industry does not include physical excess. Before yesterday, Reading had committed the fewest fouls in the Premiership.
Andre Bikey spoiled that late on by being sent off for a second bookable offence, but it had taken Reading only a minute to concede a yellow card when Stephen Hunt, replacing the injured Bobby Convey, caught goalkeeper Petr Cech in the face with his knee as he slid in on a through ball. It appeared innocuous, but after a near four- minute delay, the Czech Republic goalkeeper was replaced by Carlo Cudicini and taken to hospital with mild concussion.
Undefeated at home for 14 months, all of 25 games ago, Reading started the day three points behind the champions. Mourinho concedes that teams coming up from lower Leagues as winners have a good mentality. He was to prove correct. Though Chelsea played smooth, precise football, they found it difficult to break through.
They came closest in the early stages when Paulo Ferreira dispatched a cross which Marcus Hahnemann had covered, only for James Harper to intervene and head against his own crossbar. Then Robben fired across goal. Ferreira spent most of his time in the Reading half, leaving Chelsea with three at the back. They could afford to do so.
But it was Reading who came closest to taking the lead 12 minutes from half-time when Hunt cleverly worked the ball to Kevin Doyle deep in the area. The Republic of Ireland striker had his back to the goal, but he turned superbly to get in his shot, only to strike the post.
Reading's relative composure in defence was disrupted when their captain and right-back Graeme Murty departed, to be replaced by Bikey. In added time, Lampard was brought down on the edge of the area by Sonko. The England midfielder took the free-kick himself, and it looked to be deflected wide by the wall, but then struck the unfortunate Ingimarsson and ricocheted into the net.
After the interval, Chelsea appeared to be easing themselves towards victory when Mikel was sent off, having already been booked, for yanking Sonko's shirt. The outcome was now in question, and Joe Cole was brought on, in place of Shevchenko, who had again been below par.
Steve Sidwell came close to an equalier with a fine drive in the final minutes; then Drogba headed off the line from Shorey. In the same mêlée, Cudicini was knocked to the ground by Sonko. Terry ended up in goal. The match finished as it had started. A goalkeeper flattened.
And Chelsea still clinging desperately to the leaders, Manchester United.
Just what Steve Coppell needed the day after suffering the curse of being Manager of the Month. The curse of facing the champions. The result tells the story everyone anticipated. The reality is different as Coppell's men were beaten by a goal from a free-kick, dubiously won by Frank Lampard, and which had its place in the pinball arcade rather than the football pitch.
It was a game which began in subdued fashion as Coppell's well-drilled rearguard allowed the Londoners few opportunities; yet it degenerated in the second half, following the dismissal of the John Obi Mikel, for two bookable offences, around the hour.
The Nigerian youngster had to be restrained by his team-mate Didier Drogba from making his situation even worse as he harangued the referee, Mike Riley. It was all characterised by the England and Chelsea captain, John Terry, being cautioned for dissent; not the first occasion he had been guilty.
There had been a suspicion that Chelsea, with 20 players on international duty in midweek, and with Wednesday's Champions League game against Barcelona on their minds, may have been mentally baring their necks for a potential kill against a team who had held Manchester United here three weeks ago, and were undefeated in four games. Jose Mourinho's men were not at their most imperious, but just produced sufficient class and grit on a day when Manchester United had earlier advanced by three points.
The home rearguard are not the wild bunch that may be expected of a promoted team. Last season, Ibrahima Sonko and Ivar Ingimarsson received just one yellow between them. Coppell's demand for teamwork and industry does not include physical excess. Before yesterday, Reading had committed the fewest fouls in the Premiership.
Andre Bikey spoiled that late on by being sent off for a second bookable offence, but it had taken Reading only a minute to concede a yellow card when Stephen Hunt, replacing the injured Bobby Convey, caught goalkeeper Petr Cech in the face with his knee as he slid in on a through ball. It appeared innocuous, but after a near four- minute delay, the Czech Republic goalkeeper was replaced by Carlo Cudicini and taken to hospital with mild concussion.
Undefeated at home for 14 months, all of 25 games ago, Reading started the day three points behind the champions. Mourinho concedes that teams coming up from lower Leagues as winners have a good mentality. He was to prove correct. Though Chelsea played smooth, precise football, they found it difficult to break through.
They came closest in the early stages when Paulo Ferreira dispatched a cross which Marcus Hahnemann had covered, only for James Harper to intervene and head against his own crossbar. Then Robben fired across goal. Ferreira spent most of his time in the Reading half, leaving Chelsea with three at the back. They could afford to do so.
But it was Reading who came closest to taking the lead 12 minutes from half-time when Hunt cleverly worked the ball to Kevin Doyle deep in the area. The Republic of Ireland striker had his back to the goal, but he turned superbly to get in his shot, only to strike the post.
Reading's relative composure in defence was disrupted when their captain and right-back Graeme Murty departed, to be replaced by Bikey. In added time, Lampard was brought down on the edge of the area by Sonko. The England midfielder took the free-kick himself, and it looked to be deflected wide by the wall, but then struck the unfortunate Ingimarsson and ricocheted into the net.
After the interval, Chelsea appeared to be easing themselves towards victory when Mikel was sent off, having already been booked, for yanking Sonko's shirt. The outcome was now in question, and Joe Cole was brought on, in place of Shevchenko, who had again been below par.
Steve Sidwell came close to an equalier with a fine drive in the final minutes; then Drogba headed off the line from Shorey. In the same mêlée, Cudicini was knocked to the ground by Sonko. Terry ended up in goal. The match finished as it had started. A goalkeeper flattened.
And Chelsea still clinging desperately to the leaders, Manchester United.
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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.j ... grea15.xml
Chelsea survive battle royal
By Colin Malam at the Madejski Stadium
(Filed: 15/10/2006)
Reading (0) 0 Chelsea (1) 1
On A nice quiet night at the Madejski Stadium, Chelsea gained three more points, lost two goalkeepers, had a man sent off and got involved in a touchline punch-up. Then, in his typically confrontational manner, manager Jose Mourinho gave the pot another stir afterwards by accusing Reading's Stephen Hunt of deliberately injuring Petr Cech.
Chelsea's first-choice goalkeeper was hurt in the first minute of this tempestuous contest when he dived at Hunt's feet as the left-sided midfielder chased a James Harper through-ball into the visitors' penalty area. Hunt appeared to catch Cech accidentally in the face with his knee, but Mourinho thought otherwise.
After some four minutes of treatment by anxious paramedics, the goalkeeper was carried off and taken to hospital. "I'm not saying his [Hunt's] intention was to send my 'keeper to hospital," said the Chelsea manager, "but it was a very stupid challenge. It was a challenge for a red card.
"The 'keeper had the ball in his hands and was sliding. The No 10 [Hunt] can't go for the ball, so he goes with the knee and goes for the head. If he goes with a knee to the face he doesn't want to avoid him."
Mourinho was further incensed by what he saw as Hunt's laughter after the incident. The Reading player, however, vehemently denied all charges. "I was 100 per cent intent on winning the ball," he insisted. "I hope Petr Cech is not badly hurt and makes a full recovery as soon as possible."
Hunt was also defended by his manager, Steve Coppell. "There's no way anyone in this club wants to see anybody injured," he said. "And there's no way anyone would laugh about an injury."
But the claims and counter-claims over Cech's injury were only a fraction of last night's tumult. In a grisly echo of what had happened to him in the first minute of the game, Cech's replacement Carlo Cudicini was badly hurt in the last. He banged his head heavily on the ground after a sickening, but accidental, mid-air collision with Reading's Ibrahima Sonko.
Again the paramedics were called and again Chelsea's goalkeeper was carried off after prolonged treatment and rushed to the Royal Berks Hospital, where both he and Cech were detained overnight. It will be a severe blow to the London club's hopes of gaining revenge against arch rivals Barcelona if neither is fit to play in Wednesday's Champions League clash at Stamford Bridge.
Then, with Reading battering away vigorously at Chelsea in an attempt to snatch an equaliser, a scuffle broke out on the touchline as a member of the visitors' coaching staff was slow in returning the ball to a Reading player.
Blows appeared to be thrown, and the referee looked to send off an assistant coach from each side.
Already in the dressing room were Chelsea's John Obi Mikel and Reading's Andre Bikey. Mikel was shown the red card in the 61st minute for pulling back Sonko, his second yellow card offence. Bikey, who had come on at right-back when Reading captain Graeme Murty limped off after 32 minutes, also collected two yellows.
His dismissal came in the 83rd minute of normal time - because of Cudicini's injury, the game overran by 18 minutes - and signalled the end of Reading's frenzied attempts to profit from numerical advantage.
As for the football, the framework of both goals was struck in the first half. Harper did it unintentionally with a header against his own bar, but Kevin Doyle definitely meant to score as he wrong-footed the Chelsea defence with a brilliant turn in their penalty area and a drove a shot against a post.
Reading goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann saved well from the outstanding Didier Drogba before Chelsea snatched their goal in first half stoppage time from a controversial free-kick. The Reading fans were convinced Lampard had dived, and did not hesitate to express their sense of outrage. They booed his every touch thereafter and broke into a chant of "Where were you on Wednesday night?", reminding him of yet another pallid performance for England, this time in Croatia.
Even so, Lampard could afford to laugh it all off after seeing his powerfully struck free-kick ricochet sideways off Reading's defensive wall, hit the hapless Ivar Ingimarsson and fly past the wrong-footed Hahnemann.
Mindful of all the criticism Lampard has attracted of late, the Chelsea players mobbed him joyously. But, at the end, their relief at having got the points that keep them level with Manchester United at the top of the Premiership was palpable.
Chelsea survive battle royal
By Colin Malam at the Madejski Stadium
(Filed: 15/10/2006)
Reading (0) 0 Chelsea (1) 1
On A nice quiet night at the Madejski Stadium, Chelsea gained three more points, lost two goalkeepers, had a man sent off and got involved in a touchline punch-up. Then, in his typically confrontational manner, manager Jose Mourinho gave the pot another stir afterwards by accusing Reading's Stephen Hunt of deliberately injuring Petr Cech.
Chelsea's first-choice goalkeeper was hurt in the first minute of this tempestuous contest when he dived at Hunt's feet as the left-sided midfielder chased a James Harper through-ball into the visitors' penalty area. Hunt appeared to catch Cech accidentally in the face with his knee, but Mourinho thought otherwise.
After some four minutes of treatment by anxious paramedics, the goalkeeper was carried off and taken to hospital. "I'm not saying his [Hunt's] intention was to send my 'keeper to hospital," said the Chelsea manager, "but it was a very stupid challenge. It was a challenge for a red card.
"The 'keeper had the ball in his hands and was sliding. The No 10 [Hunt] can't go for the ball, so he goes with the knee and goes for the head. If he goes with a knee to the face he doesn't want to avoid him."
Mourinho was further incensed by what he saw as Hunt's laughter after the incident. The Reading player, however, vehemently denied all charges. "I was 100 per cent intent on winning the ball," he insisted. "I hope Petr Cech is not badly hurt and makes a full recovery as soon as possible."
Hunt was also defended by his manager, Steve Coppell. "There's no way anyone in this club wants to see anybody injured," he said. "And there's no way anyone would laugh about an injury."
But the claims and counter-claims over Cech's injury were only a fraction of last night's tumult. In a grisly echo of what had happened to him in the first minute of the game, Cech's replacement Carlo Cudicini was badly hurt in the last. He banged his head heavily on the ground after a sickening, but accidental, mid-air collision with Reading's Ibrahima Sonko.
Again the paramedics were called and again Chelsea's goalkeeper was carried off after prolonged treatment and rushed to the Royal Berks Hospital, where both he and Cech were detained overnight. It will be a severe blow to the London club's hopes of gaining revenge against arch rivals Barcelona if neither is fit to play in Wednesday's Champions League clash at Stamford Bridge.
Then, with Reading battering away vigorously at Chelsea in an attempt to snatch an equaliser, a scuffle broke out on the touchline as a member of the visitors' coaching staff was slow in returning the ball to a Reading player.
Blows appeared to be thrown, and the referee looked to send off an assistant coach from each side.
Already in the dressing room were Chelsea's John Obi Mikel and Reading's Andre Bikey. Mikel was shown the red card in the 61st minute for pulling back Sonko, his second yellow card offence. Bikey, who had come on at right-back when Reading captain Graeme Murty limped off after 32 minutes, also collected two yellows.
His dismissal came in the 83rd minute of normal time - because of Cudicini's injury, the game overran by 18 minutes - and signalled the end of Reading's frenzied attempts to profit from numerical advantage.
As for the football, the framework of both goals was struck in the first half. Harper did it unintentionally with a header against his own bar, but Kevin Doyle definitely meant to score as he wrong-footed the Chelsea defence with a brilliant turn in their penalty area and a drove a shot against a post.
Reading goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann saved well from the outstanding Didier Drogba before Chelsea snatched their goal in first half stoppage time from a controversial free-kick. The Reading fans were convinced Lampard had dived, and did not hesitate to express their sense of outrage. They booed his every touch thereafter and broke into a chant of "Where were you on Wednesday night?", reminding him of yet another pallid performance for England, this time in Croatia.
Even so, Lampard could afford to laugh it all off after seeing his powerfully struck free-kick ricochet sideways off Reading's defensive wall, hit the hapless Ivar Ingimarsson and fly past the wrong-footed Hahnemann.
Mindful of all the criticism Lampard has attracted of late, the Chelsea players mobbed him joyously. But, at the end, their relief at having got the points that keep them level with Manchester United at the top of the Premiership was palpable.
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Huntley & Palmer
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Daily Mail
Mourinho seething over Hunt challenge
Last updated at 08:42am on 15th October 2006
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has accused Reading midfielder Stephen Hunt of inflicting a serious injury on goalkeeper Petr Cech - and then laughing about it.
The champions won 1-0 at the Madejski Stadium thanks to Frank Lampard's deflected free-kick but finished with nine men after Cech and his replacement Carlo Cudicini were both hospitalised. Cech suffered a head injury in a first minute collision with Hunt while Cudicini fell heavily in the final minute in a goalmouth melee.
Mourinho accepted the second incident had been unfortunate but had nothing but scathing words for Hunt saying: "I saw both incidents on TV and they are completely different. The second was a violent fall and a free-kick against Reading. The first one was unbelievable. The goalkeeper has the ball in his hands, slides and the number 10 cannot get the ball. He goes with the knee into his face."
He added: "If his head bones are not broken then he is a lucky boy. It was a very bad challenge. He was completely knocked out in the dressing room and went to hospital.
"I'm not saying his intention was to send my keeper to hospital. But it was a very stupid challenge - one for the authorities to look at in the same way they looked at Ben Thatcher on Pedro Mendes.
"You see players avoiding the keeper by jumping or going with the foot for the ball but when a player goes with the knee direct to the face he doesn't want to avoid him.
"After that he turned, came back and was laughing right in front of us. He was motivating his people but gave not one single sign that he was worried about the situation."
Hunt denied he had been deliberately reckless.
He said: "I was 100% intent on winning the ball. I hope Petr Cech is not too badly hurt and I hope he makes a full recovery as soon as possible
Mourinho seething over Hunt challenge
Last updated at 08:42am on 15th October 2006
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has accused Reading midfielder Stephen Hunt of inflicting a serious injury on goalkeeper Petr Cech - and then laughing about it.
The champions won 1-0 at the Madejski Stadium thanks to Frank Lampard's deflected free-kick but finished with nine men after Cech and his replacement Carlo Cudicini were both hospitalised. Cech suffered a head injury in a first minute collision with Hunt while Cudicini fell heavily in the final minute in a goalmouth melee.
Mourinho accepted the second incident had been unfortunate but had nothing but scathing words for Hunt saying: "I saw both incidents on TV and they are completely different. The second was a violent fall and a free-kick against Reading. The first one was unbelievable. The goalkeeper has the ball in his hands, slides and the number 10 cannot get the ball. He goes with the knee into his face."
He added: "If his head bones are not broken then he is a lucky boy. It was a very bad challenge. He was completely knocked out in the dressing room and went to hospital.
"I'm not saying his intention was to send my keeper to hospital. But it was a very stupid challenge - one for the authorities to look at in the same way they looked at Ben Thatcher on Pedro Mendes.
"You see players avoiding the keeper by jumping or going with the foot for the ball but when a player goes with the knee direct to the face he doesn't want to avoid him.
"After that he turned, came back and was laughing right in front of us. He was motivating his people but gave not one single sign that he was worried about the situation."
Hunt denied he had been deliberately reckless.
He said: "I was 100% intent on winning the ball. I hope Petr Cech is not too badly hurt and I hope he makes a full recovery as soon as possible
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RoyalBlue
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Huntley & Palmer Daily Mail
Mourinho seething over Hunt challenge
Last updated at 08:42am on 15th October 2006 .............
Quick move to cover your embarrassment there H&P!
For eveyone else a certain Mod posted a duplicate thread on this subject but it appears to have disappeared (along with follow up comments) now!
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papereyes
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Ian Royal
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Royal Rother
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Not the newspapers, but the media coverage on TV and Radio seem unanimous in their condemnation of Mourinho's outburst as being totally ridiculous, and their support for Hunt and Sonko.
On TalkSport this morning Mike Parry was particularly incensed by Mourinho's comments and suggested that the FA should look into it and that it was just not acceptable for him to effectively accuse Hunt of trying to kill Cech. Andy Townsend was slightly more toned down in his condemnation but they were both, whilst welcoming their calls (of course!) pretty scathing about the volumes of pig-ignorant Chelsea fcuktards (to coin a Spacey-phrase) who said that Hunt and (particularly) Sonko had both gone out to maim their 'keepers as part of a game plan.
Similar condemnation from all Radio 5 guests.
On TalkSport this morning Mike Parry was particularly incensed by Mourinho's comments and suggested that the FA should look into it and that it was just not acceptable for him to effectively accuse Hunt of trying to kill Cech. Andy Townsend was slightly more toned down in his condemnation but they were both, whilst welcoming their calls (of course!) pretty scathing about the volumes of pig-ignorant Chelsea fcuktards (to coin a Spacey-phrase) who said that Hunt and (particularly) Sonko had both gone out to maim their 'keepers as part of a game plan.
Similar condemnation from all Radio 5 guests.
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willz_royal
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readingfc_4_life_and_beyo
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willz_royal the NOTW has the most bioased repot i have seen so far, martin samueLOL, what a jokei cant fidn the whole thing online, its just a P*** take.
All about chelsea battling on, and thats why theyre champions,
read it and see how much of an idiot samuel is
Course Chelsea had to battle on
Reading had to battle on too, suprisingly. If you want a bias report from NOTW, look at the Frickin' Man Utd report.
Other than blabbing on about Chelsea most of the article (yawn), overall, IMO, News of the Worlds summary of the match is a fair one. Although i can't remember Joe Cole doing enough to be rated 6...?
Although in the Sports section... They are joking I swear. "Lucky to be alive", "You're a disgrace"
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chilipepper91
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Mess yes - Messiah no!
I'm ashamed that Terry/Lampard can get so worked up about beating Reading away, picking up £££s in the process...yet representing their country has produced so many lacklustre performances.
If the Ch*ls*a fans think that they've got an ounce of loyalty in their greedy little bones their mugs. As soon as Barca/Real come calling with a few quid more then Kenyon/Roman are prepared to offer they'll up sticks and f*ck off faster than you can say "Greg Louganis"!
I'm ashamed that Terry/Lampard can get so worked up about beating Reading away, picking up £££s in the process...yet representing their country has produced so many lacklustre performances.
If the Ch*ls*a fans think that they've got an ounce of loyalty in their greedy little bones their mugs. As soon as Barca/Real come calling with a few quid more then Kenyon/Roman are prepared to offer they'll up sticks and f*ck off faster than you can say "Greg Louganis"!
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Spirit of Elm Park
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willz_royal the NOTW has the most bioased repot i have seen so far, martin samueLOL, what a joke
All about chelsea battling on, and thats why theyre champions,
read it and see how much of an idiot samuel is
Hate to point it out, but 99% of the people who read it are more likely to care how Chelsea got on.
As it is I thought its praise for our team was obvious, and belittled Chelseas "Heroes" and pinpointed yet more Chelsea amateur dramatics. I especially like the fact that we are once again called " the Premierships Most vocal supporters"
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Volvicanus
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THe Guardian They will have learned more than they could possibly imagine about life against the biggest boys in the land.
What a joke. This seems to be a big theme of his report and it's rubbish. I think the only thing Reading might have learned is that you can become champions if you combine a certain amount of skill along with a lot of diving, exageration, moaning, stopping the flow of the game and general poor sportsmanship.
Everybody seems to love (as a journo or pundit) having or anticipating their moment of being able to say 'Reading found out what the Premiership was like today.' Frankly, it hasn't really happened and I don't see it happening either. I think perhaps if they stopped being set up to have their patronizing moment, they'd see more clearly the shortcomings of teams like Chelsea in games like these.
Last edited by Volvicanus on 15 Oct 2006 14:00, edited 1 time in total.
VolvicanusTHe Guardian They will have learned more than they could possibly imagine about life against the biggest boys in the land.
What a joke. This seems to be a big theme of his report and it's rubbish. I think the only thing Reading might have learned is that you can become champions if you combine a certain amount of skill along with a lot of diving, exageration, moaning, stopping the flow of the game and general poor sportsmanship.
and £££££££££
The Sunday Times October 15, 2006
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0, ... 69,00.html
Reading 0 Chelsea 1: Chelsea pay high price for victory
Rob Hughes at Madejski stadium
Chelsea are the champions, and they will remain so, given this example of their appetite to fight for the right to show their
superiority in a stadium where Manchester United were held last month.
But in a battle that had fearful omens of physical
combat — it started with one Chelsea goalkeeper concussed by the first impact, and finished with his replacement also
taken to hospital in stoppage time, to be replaced by skipper John Terry — it was more the man-of-war approach that was
required than anything resembling the finesse they will need against Barcelona in the Champions League on Wednesday.
With a man from either side sent off by a referee who lamentably contributed to the rugged and sometimes devious
examples of so-called sport, it took a most fortuitous own goal to give Chelsea the three points.
Jose Mourinho, the Chelsea manager, was furious at the challenge on Petr Cech that put the Blues keeper in hospital. The first
half began and ended with two dramatic examples of what makes the Premiership different, and what at times makes it
dramatically sickening.
The first impact of a contest that was always going to be a collision between the workers of Reading and the millionaires
of Chelski put a perspective on the goalkeeping situation. England’s Paul Robinson may feel he had it bad by being made the
laughing stock of Zagreb last week, but the true perils of his trade were witnessed here in the opening exchanges.
Reading had driven the ball long into the Chelsea penalty area. Stephen Hunt pursued it as he was entitled to do until seeing
Cech rushing off his line and diving to smother the ball, the Reading player attempted to veer to his left. The momentum of the keeper took him into Hunt, and we could clearly see — almost feel —
the right knee of Hunt against the temple of Cech. It looked dreadful, and it was. It was compounded by the fact that referee
Mike Riley stood over Cech, insisting that he get off the pitch. In those awful seconds, we witnessed a groggy goalkeeper
crawling on all fours, obviously to anyone with any sensibility a man badly concussed.
Mourinho wants the Football Association to look at Hunt’s challenge, describing the Reading player as “out of his headâ€
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0, ... 69,00.html
Reading 0 Chelsea 1: Chelsea pay high price for victory
Rob Hughes at Madejski stadium
Chelsea are the champions, and they will remain so, given this example of their appetite to fight for the right to show their
superiority in a stadium where Manchester United were held last month.
But in a battle that had fearful omens of physical
combat — it started with one Chelsea goalkeeper concussed by the first impact, and finished with his replacement also
taken to hospital in stoppage time, to be replaced by skipper John Terry — it was more the man-of-war approach that was
required than anything resembling the finesse they will need against Barcelona in the Champions League on Wednesday.
With a man from either side sent off by a referee who lamentably contributed to the rugged and sometimes devious
examples of so-called sport, it took a most fortuitous own goal to give Chelsea the three points.
Jose Mourinho, the Chelsea manager, was furious at the challenge on Petr Cech that put the Blues keeper in hospital. The first
half began and ended with two dramatic examples of what makes the Premiership different, and what at times makes it
dramatically sickening.
The first impact of a contest that was always going to be a collision between the workers of Reading and the millionaires
of Chelski put a perspective on the goalkeeping situation. England’s Paul Robinson may feel he had it bad by being made the
laughing stock of Zagreb last week, but the true perils of his trade were witnessed here in the opening exchanges.
Reading had driven the ball long into the Chelsea penalty area. Stephen Hunt pursued it as he was entitled to do until seeing
Cech rushing off his line and diving to smother the ball, the Reading player attempted to veer to his left. The momentum of the keeper took him into Hunt, and we could clearly see — almost feel —
the right knee of Hunt against the temple of Cech. It looked dreadful, and it was. It was compounded by the fact that referee
Mike Riley stood over Cech, insisting that he get off the pitch. In those awful seconds, we witnessed a groggy goalkeeper
crawling on all fours, obviously to anyone with any sensibility a man badly concussed.
Mourinho wants the Football Association to look at Hunt’s challenge, describing the Reading player as “out of his headâ€
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