12 January 2013
By Hob Nob Anyone?
A stunning late comeback from Reading rescued a vital late victory as the Royals closed the gap at the bottom of the table. Reading looked set for certain defeat with eight minutes left on the clock - 0-2 down at home to West Bromwich Albion, before a remarkable, and unexpected, comeback saw three goals secure three valuable league points.
After a bright start from Reading, it was the visitors that looked the sharpest and had the best of the play. Federici was needed to make a save before Albion took the lead a few minutes later scoring from close range after a cross from the left. After completing his transfer for Reading, Carrico had a debut to forget after a disappointing first half saw him replaced at half time by McCleary. Other new boy Hope Akpan remained on the bench as Reading went 0-2 down on 69 minutes. West Brom continued to threaten and looked much the better side, heating the woodwork twice before extending their lead.
Despite their superiority in the first eighty minutes, West Brom were to leave with nothing as the game turned on its head on 82 minutes. McCleary crossed and Jimmy Kebe got down low to head home and give Reading a lifeline. Kebe came to live as Reading pushed forward hoping to steal a point, and was taken down clumsily in the area. Substitute Adam Le Fondre stepped up to confidently fire home the spot kick to make it 2-2 with two minutes left on the clock. There was still time for the ultimate drama as the clock ticked onto 90 minutes, Pearce knocked the ball down and Pogrebnyak stuck it into the back of the net to send the remaining home fans absolutely nuts.
The unexpected win closes the gap to just three points either side of the relegation zone with Wigan and Aston Villa on 19 points and Reading now on 16 points. If there was ever a way to win a game and provide real hope that Reading can turn around the season, and avoid relegation, this was it. Reading's third league win, our second from three league games, shows there's plenty to play for now this season.
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