Chelsea Hold Reading To Draw
Added by HNA? on 26/12/06
Reading twice came from behind to record a historic away draw at the current Premiership champions. It was no more than Reading deserved after a spirited second half performance in which they outplayed Chelsea with some determined attacking football. At full time it was Reading's comeback and impressive football that took the headlines rather than accidental injuries to goalkeepers. Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was much calmer this time round and stuck to the facts: "That was a fair result." Chelsea had dominated the first half with Drogba giving Sonko a very tough afternoon. It was clearly just a matter of time before Drogba would hit the net after getting in two good shots on target that Hahnemann did well to save. He didn't do quite so well on 38 minutes when a corner saw Hahnemann rooted to the ground to be outjumped by Drogba who headed home. The second half was a different story. Rather than settle for keeping the score down we took the game to Chelsea and went on the hunt for an equaliser. A couple of dangerous crosses caused problems before Steve Sidwell unleashed an excellent shot that went the wrong side of the post - and in the top corner of the side netting instead. Glen Little had already threatened by cutting past players at the end of the first half. He again twisted past his man and beat a second before delivering the perfect cross from the right on 67 minutes. Leroy Lita had found the perfect space in the middle and delivered an exact header to send the ball into the side of the net. 1-1, the Reading fans went crazy and Lita picked up a yellow card for his celebrations. However, Drogba was still the same threat up front and Chelsea were back in front just five minutes later. The cross found Sonko sucked in the middle and out of position. Drogba took advantage of all the space to put the ball past Hahnemann to restore the lead. But it wasn't all over. Reading's effort paid off with five minutes left to play. Doyle broke down the left and his excellent run ended with a cross into the middle. Under little pressure Chelsea substitute Ashley Cole played the ball into his team mate Michael Essien, and the ball pinged off him and into the back of the net to make it 2-2. The last five minutes and the additional three were always going to be nervous for Reading as they attempted to secure an excellent away draw. And Reading finished well, looking comfortable and very good for the point.

Everton Secure Away Win
Added by HNA? on 23/12/06
Reading's second straight home defeat saw Everton move above them in the league table as Reading dropped to ninth at the half way point in the season. Unfortunately that very healthy position is likely to be further eroded as Reading travel to second placed Chelsea and leaders Manchester United over the Christmas period. Everton dominated the first half to take a one goal lead in at the break, and quickly followed it up with a second goal after half time to seal the win. Reading looked a transformed side when Lita came off the bench with 54 minutes on the clock, but despite some good football and plenty of effort from Reading, they failed to find the goal that would have got them back into the game. Everton's first goal came just before the quarter of an hour mark. They were given plenty of time down the right and the eventual cross saw Johnson given an equal amount of time inside the Reading area to turn and loop the ball into the top of the net. It looked like it had taken a deflection - but even so Marcus was well beaten as the ball crashed into the root of the net. After that it looked like a question of how many Everton would add. The impressive Johnson produced the second goal just after the break - winning the ball and setting up McFadden to seal the points. Reading pushed forward when Lita arrived off the bench - Lita quickly forcing a save from the Everton keeper. We had chances to score with Harper blasting over from close range and Sidwell getting a shot on target. However, we ran out of time and Everton took the full three points.

Reading Waste Half Time Lead
Added by HNA? on 17/12/06
Reading wasted an opportunity to earn more Premiership points after losing at home to Blackburn Rovers - despite being deservedly ahead at half time. The Royals looked to set to notch up another home victory after James Haper had put Reading ahead four minutes before half time. Hunt played through an excellent ball for Harper to run onto and finish with style from the edge of the area. At that stage Reading looked fully in control after a scrappy start to the game. Harper could have put Reading ahead with a shot straight at the goalkeeper and Sonko hit the crossbar as Reading ended the first half looking much the better side. It was all change after the break as the visitors looked a changed side. They immediately took the game to Reading who seemed unable to get back in their stride. After already hitting the net twice with off-side efforts, Blackburn pulled level just after the hour mark. Reading then struggled to get any kind of opportunities to regain their lead with the Blackburn keeper having very little to do. There was always a threat down the other end and when John Oster's wayward pass let Rovers run at goal they secured a victory with a stunning shot that flew into the top corner after an excellent run on goal. It was a dramatic turn around - but a well earned away win for Rovers.

Watford And Royals Share Bore Draw
Added by HNA? on 09/12/06
Last season Reading and Watford played out two 0-0 draws in the Championship - and it was the same forumla today in the Premiership as neither side managed to find the net in a scrappy draw. In a game lacking entertainment there were few chances and very little impressive football on show as both sides struggled to retain the ball or make an impact going forward. The Royals were without Murty and Seol - giving Bikey a start and Lita a chance up front. Lita had Reading's best chances of the first half after being played through by Hunt and then by a Doyle header but both times he failed to find the target from close range. Watford finished the first half with the better chances as Hahnemann became the first goalkeeper to need to make a save with five minutes of the half remaining. He had an easy save from a long range effort and former Royals striker Henderson might have done better from close range but shot straight at Marcus in the Reading goal. The second half was the same again with neither side looking likely to break the deadlock with no accuracy up front. Henderson again had a chance but put it over the crossbar, and when Watford did break through they failed to hit the target. Hahnemann had one save of note to make in the second half while down the other end the keeper wasn't tested. Both defenses put in solid performances but both sides seemed unable to keep hold of the ball and were seemingly happy to settle for the draw. Oster picked up the only yellow card of the game as the game drew to a close. Glen Little appeared for a minute but it never seemed likely he could make an impact in a disappointing game.

Reading Miss Out On Third Place
Added by HNA? on 07/12/06
Reading missed out on the chance to take third spot in the Premiership table as Newcastle United bought a run of four straight wins to an end. The game turned on a controversial penalty awarded to the home side ten minutes into the second half, when Reading were a goal ahead and looking the most likely side to go on and win. In an entertaining fixture, Newcastle looked to have got off to the better start. Half way through the first half Newcastle took the lead when a cross from the right was headed past Hahnemann in the Reading goal. John Oster had retained his place in the starting eleven after his excellent performance last weekend, but there was more injury worries for Reading when Hunt was forced to leave the pitch with ten minutes of the first half remaining. Glen Little appeared off the bench as Reading enjoyed their best spell of the game. The equaliser came after Oster did well to break down the left and cross to Harper. Harper's low effort took a defelction and found its way into the back of the net. Just a few minutes later and Harper was on the scoresheet again to put Reading ahead at the half time break. Little made the most of a defensive mistake to get a shot in and the loose ball came out to Harper on the edge of the area who drove the ball into the corner of the net. It was an excellent goal that put Reading firmly in control of the game. After the break Reading looked firm favourites to complete a fifth straight victory, until the referee awarded a dodgy penalty after a player went down in the area and Sonko was judged to have made contact. The resulting penalty was scored, with a low effort that Hahnemann failed to stop. All of a sudden the home crowd started making some noise, and with the game level again Newcastle were very much back in it against the run of play. A few minutes later and it looked like they had taken the lead - only for the goal to be ruled out for offside when it probably wasn't. That might have evened things up but the penalty had turned the game and Newcastle were on the ascendancy. We'd have settled for a point at that stage but with six minutes to go Newcastle won it with an impressive long range effort. Kevin Doyle had already limped off with nine minutes left to play and Murty followed him with a foot injury right at the end, as the night ended on a sour night for the Royals.

Burnley In FA Cup
Added by HNA? on 03/12/06
Reading have been drawn at home against Championship side Burnley in the third round of the FA Cup. Burnley will visit the Madejski Stadium on Saturday 6 January 2007. The Clarets are exactly a league division below the Royals, currently sitting in sixth place in the Championship table. Last season Reading took six points from Burnley in the league - winning 2-1 at home, with Lita and Doyle scoring, and 3-0 away with Convey, Sonko and Kitson hitting the net.
Rumour Rating: Definite

Four Straight Wins
Added by HNA? on 02/12/06
Reading made it four straight Premiership victories with another impressive performance - this time beating Bolton to move back up to sixth in the table - level on points with third placed Arsenal. The Royals played the better football throughout the afternoon, made the better chances, and played much fairer and were excellent value for their win. Bolton were given little space to play the ball and struggled to break through. Down the other end they struggled to contain Reading's forward line that was heavily assisted by a superb performance from Oster who started his first Premiership game for Reading. Reading could have won by more but the decisive goal once more came from the boot of Kevin Doyle. It was top drawer team combination that led to the goal - much like the performance across the ninety minutes. Nicky Shorey did well to beat his man and cross from the left to Oster on the right. Oster cut past his marker and into the area before playing a perfect cross between defenders to Doyle at the far post. Doyle's header matched the move as he powered it across the goal and into the back of the net.

Murty To Stay Until 2009
Added by HNA? on 01/12/06
Club captain Graeme Murty has signed a new deal that keeps him under contact with the Royals until the summer of 2009. Murty follows Glen Little and Marcus Hahnemann who signed new contracts earlier this week, as the club look to keep together the core of the currently very successful side. Murty, who signed from York City for £0.7 million in July 1998, has made over 250 league starts for the Royals and is only four away from hitting 300 appearances in all competitions.
Rumour Rating: Definite

Safe Standing Campaign
Added by HNA? on 29/11/06
STAR (the Supporter's Trust At Reading) are putting their support behind a new motion to bring back standing at all-seater stadiums - and need Reading fans' help to make it happen. STAR have released the following:
STAR calls on all Reading fans to contact their MP to ask them to support Early Day Motion 101 in the House of Commons. This EDM states "That this House urges the Government to re-examine the case for introducing small, limited sections of safe standing areas at football grounds; further urges the Government to recognise that there is widespread support for such areas, and that improvements in stadium design and technology mean that with rigorous safety specifications standing areas could be safely re-introduced; and calls on the Minister concerned to convene a meeting of representatives of the police, supporters, Premier League clubs and the Football Licensing Authority to find a way forward."
Both STAR and the FSF (Football Supporters' Federation) strongly endorse this view - the current conflict over standing at football matches cannot go on, but the Government refuses to re-open the debate on this subject. We believe that if we can get enough signatures on this EDM it will put additional pressure on the Government to discuss options for safe standing, but without dialogue nothing will be resolved. Already 46 MPs have signed this motion, including Bracknell Forest MP Andrew Mackay, but other local MPs have not yet signed. The more football fans who contact their MPs about this, the more they will realise that this issue is important to fans. For more information, including how to contact your MP see the STAR website.

Little And Hahnemann Extend Contracts
Added by HNA? on 27/11/06
Glen Little and Marcus Hahnemann have both signed extensions to their current contracts to keep them at the club until the Summer of 2008. Both players have been a key part of Reading's recent success - and look set to continue to play major roles as Reading cement their status as a Premiership side. Marcus was in good form again on Saturday to keep another top tier clean sheet, as Reading were victorious over his former club Fulham at Craven Cottage. Glen set up Reading's winner after being involved in the move that lead to Kevin Doyle's penalty kick. Little was forced to limp off injured before the half time break. The good news is that the injury is not serious and he could still be available for selection on Saturday although he is likely to be rested. Reading club captain Graeme Murty is expected to be the next player to secure his Reading future with a contract extension currently under negotiation.

Another Win: Seol And Doyle Score
Added by HNA? on 19/11/06
Reading climbed back into the top half of the Premiership table with a straight forward victory over a poor Charlton side. The Royals didn't need to put in their best performance but showed enough good football over the ninety minutes to cruise to victory against the side bottom of the table. Reading, at times, played some attractive passing football and created the best chances - enough to make them look a class above the visitors. At times the game was scrappy and the ball spent an above average time in the air, but Reading did more than enough and probably should have won by more. Reading took the lead after an excellent move that Stephen Hunt created with a cheeky back-heel in the left corner of the pitch. The ball came back to Shorey who whipped in an excellent cross. Seol did well to pull away from two defenders to earn a clear header with which he made no mistake to put Reading ahead. Reading could have extended their lead with a similar move minutes later when another excellent cross found Little in the area. Little's low shot was inches wide of the left post. During the game Kevin Doyle twice found himself played through and looked favourites to run on to score but the ball didn't quite roll for him. However, he did get on the score sheet to seal the win with twenty minutes left to play. Sidwell did all the hard work to win the ball and when the return pass came he looked to blast it home. Instead he entirely mis-kicked the ball, which looped into the air before Doyle made contact, to volley it over the keeper and dip it perfectly into the back of the net. Reading had two penalty appeals waved away as they looked to extend the lead further while Charlton were offering little resistance. Hahnemann made a couple of tidy saves but had little involvement in the second half. Hunt got in a good shot that was pushed wide and Reading had to settle for the two goal win that saw them rise to eighth spot.

Back To Winning Ways
Added by HNA? on 12/11/06
Reading returned to winning ways, after a run of four straight league defeats, with a convincing 3-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at the Madejski Stadium. The Royals had to come from behind to take three points and move ahead of Spurs in the Premiership table - back to 11th palce. This was an impressive Reading performance all round as we showed a return to form after some disappointingly straight forward recent defeats. It was clearer than even that we'd missed Murty after he made his return from injury at full back and put in a superb performance. Reading had got off to a good start and were building on a controlled performance when Spurs took the lead, if anything against the run of play. The visitors took full advantage of a Sonko leg stretched out in the area, falling over it to win the penalty. Hahnemann went the wrong way and the ball was played into the bottom corner of the net to make it 0-1. Reading's determination paid off seven minutes before half time when the ball came loose to Shorey on the edge of the box on the left and he drove in a beautiful shot that swerved away from the keeper and into the far corner. The game had swung around suddenly back in Reading's favour. Just before the break the real breakthrough came. Reading won another corner on the left and Little's cross dropped for Sidwell to guide it home with the away defence static. The second half continued in the same vein with Reading preventing Spurs from playing. Spurs switched it around, taking off a defender and bringing on a striker and there was always a danger Spurs might pull level. They probably should have done with just over ten minutes left to play when substitute Defoe broke free in the area and fired into the side netting as Hahnemann did well to narrow the angle. It could have been 2-2, but instead Reading immediately made it 3-1, and sealed the win, as Hahnemann pumped the ball up-field from the goal kick. Doyle collected the ball and ran on goal before firing across the keeper into the far corner to wrap up the points for Reading.

Reading Drop Out Of Top Half
Added by HNA? on 05/11/06
Once again there was no disgrace in Reading's performance, but the Royals were always a long way from taking any points from Liverpool. This was Reading's fifth straight defeat, a run that's included four league losses, and saw Reading drop out of the top half of the Premiership table for the first time since August. With Murty still out missing there was more re-arrangement in defence with Sam Sodje making his second Premiership start and I thought having an excellent game. However, it was a tall order to deal with the Liverpool front line and even our best efforts weren't to be quite enough. It was Reading that got off to a solid start and the best chance of the opening ten minutes came to the Royals. After winning the first corner of the game we also nearly scored as the ball was crossed from the right and Harper hit a low shot that needed the first real save of the match from Reina. Reading were looking impressive down the right with Gunnarsson and Little combining well to hold possession and Little putting in a couple of dangerous crosses. In fairness we'd probably come to take a point with just Doyle on his own up front, and a packed midfield. It was looking promising for Reading until the killer blow came within the opening fifteen minutes. Gerrard pumped the ball into the box and Crouch rose high into the air to head the ball back down. I'm not sure what happened to Hahnemann, but the next second the ball was driven into the net to make it 0-1. Reading stuck at it but Liverpool were superb defensively and we were limited to a couple of corners and some half decent crosses from the right for the rest of the first half. Still, 0-1 at half-time wasn't a disaster and Reading started the second half as the better side. We were working really hard and playing some good passing football coming forward. We did manage to bundle the ball into the back of the net with twenty minutes left on the clock, but the referee had blown up long before the ball was in the net for a foul on the goalkeeper. Moments later and it really was all over as Liverpool ended Reading's spell of pressure by stringing a few passes together and putting the ball past Hahnemann again for Kuyt's second goal. This time it really was all over. Liverpool had done all they needed to do.

Royals Score Three But Exit Cup
Added by HNA? on 26/10/06
Reading's first trip to Anfield resulted in a third straight defeat for the Royals as an essentially reserve line-up battled hard against a strong Liverpool side. It was a shame that the League Cup draw meant Reading's first ever competitive game against Liverpool came a week and a half earlier than expected, on a Wednesday night, in a cup competition none of the top flight appear to take seriously at this stage. Despite that, a big crowd was treated to seven goals in an entertaining fixture that saw Reading battle from 0-3 and then 1-4 down to nearly force extra time. It was always going to be a huge task for Reading to progress to the next round without a first team line-up, but Reading played well and worked hard throughout. The Royals put in a solid first half performance and looked to be taking the game into the break on level terms until two Liverpool goals right before half time unjustly skewed the score-line. A minute before half time a through ball saw Robbie Fowler run through to produce an impressive performance to put the home side ahead. Moments later the lead was doubled when Stack couldn't hold a shot and the rebound was put into the back of the net. After half-time it seemed to be all over for Reading when Liverpool put Reading under instant pressure. It was all one-way traffic for a while as Liverpool added the third just five minutes into the half. In usual Reading style, we kept at it and pulled a goal back with fifteen minutes left to play, when Bikey headed home, which led to an entertaining finish. Liverpool immediately restored their three goal margin when Crouch walked the ball into the net past a very confused Stack. However, it wasn't all over as Reading added two more goals in the last ten minutes. Halls set up Lita who produced a decent finish to make it 2-4 before Little passed to Shane Long who scored his first goal of the season. Reading had chances to pull level in the last few minutes but Liverpool could easily have added a fifth as the post came to Stack's rescue.

Royals Beaten By Classy Arsenal
Added by HNA? on 22/10/06
Reading were given a footballing lesson by a stunning Arsenal side this afternoon. There could be no complaints about the final score - although Reading worked hard in their attempts to pull back a consolation goal, and perhaps deserved that for their efforts. Arsenal were in a different league to Reading with a team packed full of world-class individuals working as a solid team unit. It was the kind of performance that Reading will aspire too. It was the first time Reading had lost by more than a single goal for years - and the first time the visitors had scored in the North Stand goal for nearly as long. There were two changes to the starting line-up with Long given his Premiership debut alongside Doyle with Lita left out on the bench. Long worked hard but struggled to make an impact. With Murty out injured and Bikey suspended, De la Cruz stepped into the right back position and had a rough time of it until he was replaced by Gunnarsson at half time. With little over a minute gone, Arsenal were ahead with a trademark goal. A quick series of passes, all played low and perfectly to feet, saw a break down the right, and the ball was cut back and driven home by Henry on the edge of the box. We knew it was going to be a tough afternoon. Reading nearly pulled level after a Seol shot that was heading into the top corner was well saved by the Arsenal goalkeeper. Instead Arsenal doubled their lead before half with after a quick one-two sliced through the Reading defence. Reading started the second half brightly, but soon found themselves three goals down. There was now clearly no way back, but we kept playing and looking for an opening. The fourth, Henry's second, was from the penalty spot as Hahnemann took down the imressive Fabregas. The spot kick hit the base of the right post before resting in the back of Hahnemann's net. Oster and Little came off the bench and Reading were playing some good football themselves down the right flank. The statistics would have shown that Reading had a reasonable showing as we won a string of corners in the last ten minutes. Although in honesty it was a solid thrashing, it was not a disaster. In our first ever Premiership season we can lose at home to teams of Arsenal's quality - as long as we continue to pick up points against teams in the bottom half of the table. With a quarter of the season already gone we're sitting very nicely in the top half of the table.

Convey To Return But Murty Out
Added by HNA? on 19/10/06
Graeme Murty will be out of action for up to three weeks after suffering problems with hamstrings in both legs. Murty was forced to limp off during Saturday's 0-1 defeat against Chelsea. Murty was already suffering from a hamstring problem and is has been confirmed that he now has the same issue with both legs and will need time off to recover. Meanwhile, Bobby Convey is expected to be fit again by the weekend after having to sit out at the weekend, giving Stephen Hunt the chance to make his first Premiership start. Following Hunt's excellent performance it seems likely that Hunt may continue his role with Convey on the bench. Meanwhile, striker Dave Kitson is still some way off making a return. Kitson was expected to be back by now but has made slow progress. The good news is that he is starting to build up fitness again and may be back within a few weeks.
Rumour Rating: Almost Certain

FA Confirm No Action
Added by HNA? on 19/10/06
As expected, the FA have today confirmed that no further action will be taken following incidents on the pitch that led to two accidental injuries to the Chelsea goalkeepers last weekend. The Football Association statement read: "The FA has reviewed the incidents involving Stephen Hunt/Petr Cech and Ibrahima Sonko/Carlo Cudicini and has contacted referee Mike Riley, who confirmed that the match officials saw both incidents at the time. There will therefore be no further action." It remains to be seen whether action will be taken against Chelsea manager José Mourinho for bringing the game into disrepute with his false allegations.
Rumour Rating: Definite

Mourinho: Plot Officially Lost
Added by HNA? on 17/10/06
Congratulations to Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho for further elevation of his idiot status. Mourinho's latest bleatings to the press appear again to be so far from the truth it's impossible to take anything he says seriously. Early tonight Mourinho came up with the following stream of rubbish, when again discussing the Cech incident: "He left 30 minutes after my doctor called for an urgent ambulance. If my goalkeeper dies in that dressing room or in the process it is something English football has to think about. This is much more important than football. I would like someone to tell me why my goalkeeper was left in this situation." Where do you start with that? I guess the first place would be to explain that any delay in the ambulance was caused by the Chelsea team doctor who only arranged for the ambulance to be called when Cech's condition had deteriorated. There is no blame to be allocated, but, if there was then it rests with Chelsea. Then there's the outright sensationalist lie. The ambulance took seven minutes to arrive after the call was placed and not thirty. In fact, Cech was in hospital 26 minutes after Chelsea asked for the ambulance. These are just the facts reported by independent sources. Still, what do we expect from the man who accused Stephen Hunt of deliberately injuring Petr Cech - another pathetic lie. I hope both Reading Football Club and the NHS take this matter further. Mourinho is the kind of individual that English football would do well to be rid of. This whole episode makes Reading fans even more thankful that we have Steve Coppell is charge of our team - ensuring we continue to play fair and honest both on and off the pitch.
Rumour Rating: Definite

Fed Up With Anti-Royals Media Frenzy?
Added by HNA? on 17/10/06
Yes, us too. Days after the event, everyone seems to be jumping in with their comments following the accidental injury to Chelsea's goalkeeper Petr Cech on Saturday. Cech initially seemed ok after his collision with Stephen Hunt in the opening minute but his condition worsened after he left the pitch - and he later required surgery for a fractured skull. Along with the majority of experts, football fans, and non-Chelsea supporters, we feel it was simply a tragic accident as Hunt rightly went to chase down the ball. But what do you think? Every week comments from Hob Nob Anyone? readers are published in the Reading Evening Post. You can join the likes of David Mellor and Arsene Wenger and get some (hopefully some more down to earth) comments in print by using the link below. Perhaps you'd like to provide some deserved support to Hunt or comment on Reading's unlucky defeat after an impressive performance against last season's Premiership winners.

Chelsea - Lost The Plot?
Added by HNA? on 16/10/06
You have to wonder if the powers that be at Chelsea have any grip on reality after a string of ridiculous comments following Chelsea's narrow victory at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday. The visitors were unfortunate to have both goalkeepers stretchered off after two accidental collisions at either end of the game. Both incidents were clearly accidents, yet the Chelsea propaganda machine is in full swing to try and harm the good name of Reading Football Club. Who knows why? Perhaps simply ashamed by their club's performance after they were lucky to take a win following a game full of theatrical dives for the benefit of the referee? Chelsea manager Mourinho practically accused Hunt of trying to kill Cech, when replays show Hunt did his best to avoid the goalkeeper when rightly going for the ball. The Chelsea website features a bizarre article that compares Reading, winners of last season's Championship fair play award, to Wimbledon of the 1980s: "I thought he [Mourinho] was kind to Reading as well. Their game reminded me of the 1980s when English football hit an all time low, of lump and run, of challenge and challenge, of Wimbledon and Watford and… sorry, Steve Coppell, but of Crystal Palace." Anyone at the game would have seen two unfortunate accidents either side of Chelsea's continual attempts to cheat and intimidate the referee. Thankfully only Chelsea and certain tabloids are promoting such ridiculous comments. Bob Wilson was quick to set the record straight when speaking with the BBC: "I was sad to hear Jose's comments after the game. The first one looked bad because Hunt was trying to move his foot away from Cech but in doing so bent his knee towards his head. But keepers expect to get bumps and bruises, it's part of what we do. We don't want to be protected all the time." Reading's official website is much less sensational and simply underlines the facts: "We reiterate Steve Coppell and Stephen Hunt's post-match comments that there was absolutely no intent to injure Petr. We firmly believe that the collision was an unavoidable accident, a view which is supported virtually without exception by independent media observers." Every Reading fan will want to wish both Chelsea goalkeepers a quick recovery. In the meantime Mourinho and Chelsea FC should start working up their press release to apologise to Stephen Hunt - a fair and honest professional who doesn't deserve having his name dragged through the press like this.

Chelsea Scramble Lucky Win
Added by HNA? on 15/10/06
Chelsea ended Reading's 14 month long unbeaten league run at the Madejski Stadium - but were extremely fortunate to do. Chelsea defended well, but it was a classic smash and grab away victory where the visitors clung to the points after a lucky goal just before half time. It was hard to feel anything other that bitterly disappointed at the final whistle - beaten by Chelsea's bad attitude to the game and our inability to carve out an equaliser despite having the majority of the second half. Stephen Hunt started in place of Bobby Convey and immediately showed he was up for the game breaking down the left to chase the ball inside the opening minute. His run led to the first major incident of the game as the Chelsea keeper came charging out to beat Hunt to a 50/50 ball. Hunt did the right thing and leaped over Cech but unfortunately couldn't avoid contact, leaving Cech injured. The best chance of the first half went Reading's way and nearly saw Reading take the lead. Hunt was causing continual problems for Chelsea down the left and took the ball close to the line before cutting in and twisting past three defenders before crossing to Doyle. Doyle had his back to goal and turn to shoot, sending the ball against the far post with the keeper beaten. Just before half time Lampard took full advantage of Sonko's leg on the edge of the box and chose it to take a tumble over. No doubt a foul but well executed by the Chelsea player to win a free-kick on the edge of the area. The resulting free-kick was smashed against the wall, and pinged wide to Ingimarsson who couldn't do anything apart from watch as the ball hit his leg and sped across goal and into the back of the net for the only goal of the game. The game swung Reading's way when Obi was sent off for a second booking just after the hour mark. It was suddenly all one way traffic as Reading pushed forward in search of a goal. We won a number of corners and got plenty of men inside the box but failed to test the goalkeeper. Sidwell hit a good low shot from outside the area that was just wide of the post, but unfortuantely it was a rare attempt on goal as Chelsea hung on comfortably. In the dying minutes the ball was still firmly in the Chelsea half. Hahnemann went up for a last minute corner as everyone crowded the box. The resulting ball in saw Sonko attempt to get on the end of it, but instead collide with the Chelsea keeper who felt the full force on an incoming Sonko. And so, Chelsea, with all substitutes used were forced to swap their keeper again with the mouthy Terry pulling on the keeper's shirt. At the final whistle it was like Chelsea had won the cup final, with wild celebrations in front of their fans. It showed how far Reading have come in recent seasons with the existing Premiership Champions realising what an acheivement they had managed in winning at the Madejski Stadium.

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