Match Report: 2010/2011 Season
16 April 2011: CHAMPIONSHIP
READING 3 LEICESTER CITY 1
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goals
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Reading: Kebe (19 mins), McAnuff (21 mins), Hunt (67 mins).
Leicester: King (79 mins). |
Half Time: 2-0. Attendance: 19,199
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teams
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Reading:
A. McCarthy, M. Mills, I. Harte, A. Griffin, Z. Khizanishvili, J. McAnuff, M. Leigertwood, J. Kebe (H. Robson-Kanu, 83), J. Karacan, S. Long, M. Manset (N. Hunt, 54).
Subs not used: S. Church, A. Federici, J. Tabb, M. Antonio, A. Pearce.
Leicester: C. Weale, S. Bamba (M. Vitor, 56), K. Naughton, P. Van Aanholt, J. Bruma, A. King, M. Oakley, R. Wellens, D. Kamara (S. Howard, 71), Yakubu, D. Vassell (P. Gallagher, 66). Subs not used: B. Berner, Y. Abe, Ricardo, L. Dyer. |
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bookings
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Reading: -.
Leicester: Oakley, Bruma. Ref: Graham Salisbury. |
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report
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This was a real test for the Royals in every respect. Under the leadership of former England manager Sven Goran - Eriksson, the City line-up included on-loan Premiership strikers and some very good individual players in midfield. The quality of their opponents was reflected not only in their wage bill but in their dominance of possession, especially in a first half which saw Reading take a two goal lead. In the end it was a comfortable win for the Royals and much of the credit must go to Brian McDermott for his management skills and the ability to apply his tactical knowledge to get the best out of his squad. The win, their eight on a row, leaves Reading hunting down an automatic promotion spot when even a play-off berth looked unlikely only a few weeks ago.
Reading defended well as unit and although City kept possession with slick passing and movement they were unable to get beyond the Royals back four. Karacan and Leigertwood ensured most of their opponents passes went sideways or backwards. City's strikes on goal from Kamara and Yakubu were from long range and did not test McCarthy. Reading took the lead on eighteen minutes with a goal which was almost a replica of the first goal in their last home game against Preston. Receiving the ball wide on the left Shane Long using his power and pace swept past two defenders and, under pressure, slid a perfect ball across the six yard box for Kebe to stab in from close range with City 'keeper Weale stranded at the near post. The home fans had barely had time to sit down following their celebrations when Kebe nipped in between two City defenders to take possession and ran on to slip the ball to McAnuff inside the box. In a tight situation McAnuff worked some room for a strike and drove the ball inside the far post to give Reading a two goal advantage in the space of two minutes. City responded well and crucial blocks by Mills and Khizanishvili and a good save by McCarthy from a Bamba header were required to maintain the lead. Kebe should have made it three on the stroke of half time. Reading held the ball up intelligently and McAnuff timed his run perfectly to beat the offiside trap. Having reached the goaline he cut back a superb pass to set Kebe up with clear sight of goal but his shot was blasted horribly high and wide. The expected onslaught from City did not materialise as Reading opted to contain City's potent attacking force and hit them on the break. With the pace of Kebe, Long and McAnuff it proved too much for City who were lucky not to be punished immediately after half time. Kebe broke out of defence and slipped the ball out wide to Long who ran on and delivered a delightful curled low cross to the far post where that man Kebe was on the spot to make a hash of the finish. Determined to make amends Kebe then went on an amazing run down the left but pulled his shot wide with only Weale to beat. Reading began to mount pressure on the City defence and Harte came close with free kick which was headed off the line. In spite of his poor finishing Kebe was tormenting City with his pace at every opportunity and finally created the opportunity for the vital third goal. Having taken possession near his own penalty area he outpaced the City midfield and defence on run which took him the full length of the pitch before crossing for Long. A City defender denied Long a chance but the ball rolled into the path of Hunt who illustrated how to remain composed when in front of goal and drove the ball low into the net past the covering defenders. Yakubu should have pulled a goal back soon after but somehow managed to head wide with the goal at his mercy. To the neutral the game was over, but City had not given up hope and when an excellent long range shot from King twelve minutes from time pulled a goal back, one of two long standing Royals fans might have had slightly uncomfortable thoughts of what might happen if City managed another. They need not have worried. This is a new era and Brian McDermott's calm assurance permeates throughout the squad. They appear to be playing without fear and possess a confidence and team spirit that will be worrying all the other teams currently hoping to fill the second automatic promotion spot. The hardest task today would be selecting Man of the Match because everyone was in such good form. Long is playing so consistently well even when he is not scoring, Kebe ran City ragged with his pace, Khizanishvili was composed as always, and Griffin caught the eye with an outstanding second half winning an amazing tackle to set up an attack and going past defenders like a winger. Reading are simply a joy to watch at the moment. John Wells |
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