Match Report: 2011/2012 Season
26 December 2011: CHAMPIONSHIP
READING 3 BRIGHTON 0
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goals
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Reading: McAnuff (17 mins, 45 mins), Adam El-Abd (og 90 mins).
Brighton: -. |
Half Time: 2-0. Attendance: 22,141
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teams
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Reading: A Federici, A Griffin, K Gorkss (I Harte, 89), A Pearce, S Cummings, J McAnuff, M Leigertwood, J Kebe, J Karacan, A Le Fondre (N Hunt, 75), S Church (M Antonio, 88).
Subs not used: M Andersen, J Tabb. Brighton: C Ankergren, M Taricco, A El-Abd, L Dunk, G Greer, R Harley, K Lua Lua (B Paynter, 62), L Bridcutt, W Buckley (C Noone, 62), M Sparrow, C Mackail-Smith. Subs not used: A Navarro, P Brezovan, G Hall. |
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bookings
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Reading: Griffin, Karacan.
West Ham United: El-Abd, Bridcutt, Sparrow. Ref: Simon Hooper. |
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report
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The opening twenty minutes of this game illustrated how far the Royals have progressed this season. Brighton, not a bad side, were overwhelmed by the passing and movement of a Reading team completely on top of their game. McAnuff and Kebe were taking players on in wide positions and whipping in accurate crosses. For the first time this season there was an inevitability about the opening goal which deservedly came after sixteen minutes. A string of passes on the right put Kebe in possession near the corner flag. Having left a couple of confused defenders in his wake he cut the ball back for McAnuff who had intelligently dropped off the defence and he side-footed Reading into the lead. Psychologically Reading had asserted themselves over their opponents.
Brighton however to their credit managed to recover and prevent Reading from inflicting further damage until the last minute of the half when McAnuff cut inside and swept the ball inside the far post to give Reading a two goal lead. It was no more than they deserved and were enthusiastically applauded off the field at half time. It had not been all one-way traffic and some sloppy defensive work provided El-Abd with a chance but Federici saved. Sparrow made room for a shot which curled narrowly past the post with Federici beaten. Reading had some promising situations on the break but were unable to take advantage and Le Fondre headed a Kebe cross at the 'keeper. Brighton passed the ball well but created few openings. Their cause was not helped by a tendency to whinge about decisions and fair tackles. Making a meal of minor knocks probably irritated the referee as much as it did the home fans. Brighton needed an early goal in the second half to stand any chance of getting something out the game but they were unable to penetrate a very solid looking Reading defence which has now kept three clean sheets in a row against teams in the top half of the table. They did have good spell of possession and McAnuff, having his best game of the season, defended well to block an early strike on goal. Reading were certainly not going to sit back and the game became very open and entertaining. Paynter met a cross to the near post but put it miles high and wide and Michail-Smith headed just wide. Le Fondre came close with a powerful strike from outside the box. There were loud appeals for a penalty when Michail-Smith went sprawling under a challenge from Griffin as he shaped to head a cross. I'm not sure what happened but Griffin is certainly committed to denying scoring opportunities as he later demonstrated more obviously with a scything tackle to halt a Brighton break and was deservedly booked. As time ran out, belief drained from the Albion players and the trickle of away fans became a flood as El-Abd diverted a cross into his own net for Reading's third. Reading moved into the play-offs as result of this convincing win. Now that the goals are coming the Royals are looking strong candidates for play off place. Leigertwood's continued good form is a key factor. The back four is working well as unit but I am sure they would agree that the energy and committment of Karacan makes their job much easier. It is amazing how much ground he covers, but he is now also beginning to pass the ball more effectively. Only a fool would take a win against Ipswich for granted but I am certain any team expecting to take points off Reading at the moment are going to at the top of their game. John Wells |
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