Match Report
Reading
No goals
Swansea
No goals
Reading stuck doggedly to their game plan and were rewarded with a draw to bring to an end a dismal run of seven consecutive defeats and lift the Royals off the bottom of the table. Building on the solid defensive performance away to Manchester City at the weekend, Brian McDermott retained the 4 - 5 - 1 formation which had contained the League Champions so successfully. By the end Reading were unlucky not to take all three points following a more enterprising second half performance in which they exposed their opponents weaknesses.
The first half was extremely dull as Reading sat back against a City side renowned for their passing prowess. City certainly dominated possession, but a high percentage of their passes went sideways and backwards against a well organised Reading defensive set up. They were restricted to harmless long range efforts which troubled the crowd more than Federici. City’s best chance came courtesy of an absurd chest pass by Gunther to Michu in front of his own goal. He must have been relieved to find his ineptitude matched by Michu’s finishing as the Swansea striker lashed over from close range. The main disappointment of the opening forty five minutes from a Reading perspective was their inability to make more of possession when they did win the ball. Pogrebnyak played alone up front but his cumbersome touch and lack of support posed no threat whatsoever to the visitors.
The second half was much better from Reading as Swansea’s vulnerability was exposed as Reading pressed and closed down with more conviction. Enlivened by the substitutions of Le Fondre and Robson-Kanu for McAnuff and Pogrebnyak Reading looked the side most likely to score. Swansea explored the space afforded by Reading’s enterprise only to find Federici in good form, saving from a well directed header by Dyer, and showing excellent concentration to get behind a snap shot from Ki Sung Yeung. The movement of Le Fondre finally brought the best out of Guthrie who also moved and passed well. City were now more than happy to hoof the ball out of touch to relieve the pressure. Had Flores not managed to divert Le Fondre’s volley over the bar with Vorm stranded late in game, Reading would have taken all three points. ‘Alf’ had a brilliant twenty minutes, apart from scoring with his hand and receiving a yellow card for his trouble.
It was good to see Karacan back in the thick of the action. He was key player last season and Reading have missed his energy recently. Pearce also had an outstanding game at the back showing a real determination to keep a clean sheet. (As illustrated with a clearance sailed over the top of the East Stand!) It has been a long time Reading won a game but the fixture list has been unkind recently. The next eight games do not look anywhere near as daunting as the previous eight.
John Wells
The first half was extremely dull as Reading sat back against a City side renowned for their passing prowess. City certainly dominated possession, but a high percentage of their passes went sideways and backwards against a well organised Reading defensive set up. They were restricted to harmless long range efforts which troubled the crowd more than Federici. City’s best chance came courtesy of an absurd chest pass by Gunther to Michu in front of his own goal. He must have been relieved to find his ineptitude matched by Michu’s finishing as the Swansea striker lashed over from close range. The main disappointment of the opening forty five minutes from a Reading perspective was their inability to make more of possession when they did win the ball. Pogrebnyak played alone up front but his cumbersome touch and lack of support posed no threat whatsoever to the visitors.
The second half was much better from Reading as Swansea’s vulnerability was exposed as Reading pressed and closed down with more conviction. Enlivened by the substitutions of Le Fondre and Robson-Kanu for McAnuff and Pogrebnyak Reading looked the side most likely to score. Swansea explored the space afforded by Reading’s enterprise only to find Federici in good form, saving from a well directed header by Dyer, and showing excellent concentration to get behind a snap shot from Ki Sung Yeung. The movement of Le Fondre finally brought the best out of Guthrie who also moved and passed well. City were now more than happy to hoof the ball out of touch to relieve the pressure. Had Flores not managed to divert Le Fondre’s volley over the bar with Vorm stranded late in game, Reading would have taken all three points. ‘Alf’ had a brilliant twenty minutes, apart from scoring with his hand and receiving a yellow card for his trouble.
It was good to see Karacan back in the thick of the action. He was key player last season and Reading have missed his energy recently. Pearce also had an outstanding game at the back showing a real determination to keep a clean sheet. (As illustrated with a clearance sailed over the top of the East Stand!) It has been a long time Reading won a game but the fixture list has been unkind recently. The next eight games do not look anywhere near as daunting as the previous eight.
John Wells