Reading Roars!

Another defeat against another (I would argue) inferior side, on this occasion at home to Blackburn Rovers.

Reading’s Harper put the home side ahead four minutes before half time, and Doyle could have doubled the score just before the interval.

Blackburn’s former Champions League winner (not with Blackburn, of course, but with the 2004 Porto side managed by you-know-who) Benni McCarthy scored from a header in the 65th minute and David Bentley blasted a second in the 83rd minute, exploiting a zombified Reading defence.

I almost choked on my Caipirinha when I saw Bentley’s winner during the television highlights. Blackburn seemed to have too much freedom.

Reading slumped to a 3-2 loss away to Newcastle, missing an opportunity to go third in the Premiership table.

The Royals were a goal down after 23 minutes, but Harper replied with two, the first in the 37th minute and the second  shortly after.  However, Newcastle bounced back, with Obafemi Martins converting a 57th minute penalty and midfielder Belozoglu Emre winning his side three points with a late goal.  How annoying.

You know, last year I was thinking: what if my two favourite football clubs, Reading and Barcelona, were to meet in competition?  And by that I mean a midweek European encounter, rather than a pre-season friendly?  What if Ronaldinho came to the Renaissance, and Kitson conquered the Nou Camp?  What was the likelihood of the blaugrana and Royals ever facing each on the pitch, outside the virtual world of Pro Evolution Soccer 6?

Well…Reading are now close, very close to a coveted Champions League berth, falling outside only because of goal difference.  The somewhat unglamourous Thames Valley team is making significant strides toward the competition regularly contested by Milan, Bayern and Europe’s other Royals, Real Madrid.  Reading and Barça may well meet next season (of course, Reading would have to pre-qualify first, but let’s worry about that later).

On to the technical stuff.  Reading are 6th in the Premiership this evening due to a fourth successive win, this time over visitors Bolton.  Kevin Doyle headed in John Oster’s cross after 32 minutes to make it a 1-0 victory.

You can read the BBC match report for full details.

Reading is in a conquering mood these days. Defeats by big boys Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool appear not to have dented their confidence in any way. The Royals are looking quite a potent force – and claimed another victory this afternoon away against London side Fulham.

A right-footed penalty taken by Kevin Doyle gave Reading the three points after he was brought down by Ian Pearce, subsequently red-carded.

The win elevates Reading to 6th in the Premiership table, still ahead of established top flight players Everton, Liverpool, Spurs, Middlesbrough, Man City, Newcastle…

Read the BBC match report.

My goodness. Days after spanking Spurs 3-1, Reading chided Carlton with a 2-0 victory, with goals coming from cool Korean Seol Ki-Hyeon (18) and Kevin Doyle (72). Charlton, according to the BBC match report

were constantly upstaged by a Reading side who were clearly showed more enthusiasm and zip in their play.

The Berkshire club’s latest win leaves them 8th in the Premiership, above heavyweights Liverpool, Tottenham and Newcastle. It is a truly remarkable achievement. Forthcoming fixtures include an away game against Fulham, a home match with Bolton and away encounters versus Newcastle and Watford. I’m scenting more victories here.

A confession: I was in town, on a shopping mission, and missed the bulk of arguably Reading’s best game of the season to date, their home clash against Spurs.

Drifting into the electronics section of House of Fraser (ground floor, if you’re interested) I was suddenly drawn to a large Bose screen broadcasting the match. I couldn’t believe what I saw. Reading 3, Spurs 1? I checked with the shop assistant or customer service representative, or whatever they’re called now, and he confirmed that Reading were indeed winning by that margin.

I looked for somewhere to sit but found that the three comfy leather seats placed a few feet away from the screen were occupied. Then a thought entered my mind: why go to the pub to watch a game? I could simply walk into House of Fraser, sink into one of their fancy leather chairs and rest discreetly for 90 minutes. There would be an interrupted view of the screen, audible commentary (though that isn’t always a good thing) and no verbal garbage from other viewers. From a business point of view, also good: I would be naturally, and happily, demonstrating usage of the chair, thus helping to drive sales.

Reading did ultimately win the game 3-1 and I left the store happy (though empty-handed). videolar hizli kuryeMy mood was soured, however, when a bird shat on my head as I walked home. But I guess that’s another story (if I ever see that avian offender again, it’s pigeon pie).

Did you miss the game like me?  Watch the goals on YouTube: 

• 0:1 (Keane)
• 1:1 (Shorey)
• 2:1 (Sidwell)
• 3:1 (Doyle)

Reading FC have issued a statement in support of Stephen Hunt who controversially clashed with Chelsea keeper Petr Cech during the Premiership clubs’ famous encounter last Saturday. Here it is in full:

Reading Football Club has strongly defended Stephen Hunt following allegations that he deliberately injured Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech during Saturday’s game at Madejski Stadium.

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. (more…)

I never thought I’d see my two favourite football clubs, Reading and Barcelona, mentioned in the same sentence together. The link, of course, is Chelsea, whom Reading narrowly lost to (1-0) on Saturday. Chelsea will be playing the Catalan club on Wednesday.

Reading once again proved just how good they are and that the Premiership doesn’t faze them. Mourinho was at his whinging best. Referring to Cech’s concussion:

The Cech one, the challenge is a disgrace. He is lucky to still be alive.

Right. If you say so. About the second concussion the Special One said:

Carlo I think was knocked out as a consequence of the way he hit the ground, but a knee coming at Petr like that, at such speed – the boy was even laughing afterwards.

It’s not nice to see injuries on the pitch, but this does mean that Chelsea will be fielding their third-choice keeper against Barcelona this week.

Read the BBC report.

Spotted: Chelsea players at the Renaissance Hotel in Reading. So much for Anna Pickard of The Guardian’s summary of The videolar hizli kuryeForbury Hotel:

Next autumn, thanks to the local football club’s promotion, the city will be playing host to Premiership players from glamour clubs like Chelsea and Arsenal – turns out it’s already got a premier destination to satisfy the expensive tastes of footballers’ wives, too.

Walking up a steep hill the other day in Istanbul, towards Galata tower, I was drawn to a window display at an electronics store.  A widescreen set was showing the latest Premiership results.  And lo and behold, Reading had beaten West Ham by a goal to nil!

I punched the air with excitement.  No one noticed (or cared).  True, in this noisy football-passionate city,  a “yeah!” exclamation and fist-clenching will turn no heads.  But no matter.  As I scanned Istanbul’s breathtaking skyline from the top of Galata tower, I knew that our football club were revelling in a similarly lofty position – and smiled.  And who knows, maybe, just maybe, Reading will one day be making a visit of their own to this glorious city, by playing in Europe.