sportinglife.com
Reading 0 Portsmouth 0
By Jim van Wijk, PA Sport
http://tinyurl.com/39ybu2
Portsmouth came within inches of snatching victory at the Madejski Stadium, but had to be content with a goalless
draw against Reading.
The visitors' form had faded over recent weeks and the had slipped out of the top six of the Barclays Premiership as a result.
However, Harry Redknapp's men were much improved this afternoon, and would have taken all three points but for the
width of a post when Richard Hughes struck the upright with nine minutes left.
Reading, who have already surpassed all expectations on what has been a remarkable first season in the top flight, promised
much - but were unable to find a finishing touch after spells of dominance.
Both these sides still harboured European ambitions, with even seventh in the Premiership likely to secure a place in the
UEFA Cup next season.
It had been a positive start to the match by the hosts, who had been given some extra time off during the break in
Premiership action by manager Steve Coppell.
A poor back-header by Glen Johnson put Royals striker Leroy Lita away into the left side of the area.
However, the ball would not drop for him, with Linvoy Primus - against his old club - and Sol Campbell eventually combining
to scramble it behind for a corner.
There was an opening for Pompey after eight minutes.
An attempted headed clearance by Michael Duberry dropped to Arnold Mvuemba at the edge of the box.
The on-loan Rennes midfielder - making his first start for Pompey - drilled his shot just over the top-right corner.
The match was delicately balanced, with both sides not afraid to go forwards.
A deep cross from Stephen Hunt out on the Reading left was almost turned in by Dave Kitson, who arrived at speed
in the six-yard box.
Pompey goalkeeper David James, though, showed quick reflexes to collect the low ball first.
Glenn Little then headed wide at the near post from another left-wing centre as Reading upped the tempo.
However, it was Pompey who came close to taking the lead on 23 minutes when Gary O'Neil's curling 20-yard volley dipped
just inches over the crossbar.
After such a positive opening to the match, both teams were then guilty of giving away possession following some promising
build-up.
With 12 minutes to go before half-time there was a break in play as Hunt received treatment to his ankle after an awkward fall.
The Reading forward was, though, soon back in the action.
James Harper tried his luck from a full 25 yards, but spooned his shoot well wide.
As half-time loomed, it needed a brilliant saving tackle from Campbell to deny Kitson - just when the Reading striker looked
set to pull the trigger in the six-yard box.
As the match entered the final 20 minutes, a promising run from Kanu run down the Reading right was blocked by Nicky Shorey,
and the foul was signalled by the assistant.
After a short delay, referee Steve Bennett showed a yellow card to Duberry, presumably for protesting the decision.
Niko Kranjcar stuck the resulting 22-yard free-kick just wide.
Pompey almost snatched a winner in the 81st minute when a fine first-time strike from midfielder Hughes, some 25 yards out,
came back off the right-hand post.
Victory would not have been unjust for the visitors against a Reading side which on a rare occasion this season failed to find
top gear.
As it was a point maintains the hope of both clubs to stay in contention over the closing months of the campaign for what
would be a dream UEFA Cup spot.
STAT ATTACK
Reading.....Portsmouth
11 Shots On Target 2
6 Shots Off Target 0
5 Fouls (Conceded) 8
5 Corners 4
0 Yellow Cards 0
0 Red Cards 0
What the papers say: Portsmouth
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jetsetwilly
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Far Canal sportinglife.com
[
STAT ATTACK
Reading.....Portsmouth
11 Shots On Target 2
6 Shots Off Target 0
5 Fouls (Conceded) 8
5 Corners 4
0 Yellow Cards 0
0 Red Cards 0
Stats seem like bollox, only 5 corners for us !?
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gazzer, loyal royal
- Hob Nob Regular
- Posts: 1936
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- Location: Khalifa Cisse sleeps with the light on, not because he is afraid of the dark, but because the dark i
Never mind the quality when Europe beckons
Jamie Jackson at the Madejski Stadium
Sunday March 18, 2007
The Observer
http://football.guardian.co.uk/Observer ... 87,00.html
This might be the ultimate result for Sir Brian Mawhinney and friends, but a point each was about right.
With the Uefa Cup beckoning - Reading and Portsmouth are now seventh and ninth respectively - neither side deserved to
earn any more from a penalty shoot-out, a one-on-one with the keeper, the toss of a coin, or any of the other gimmicks that
might be suggested to decide a draw.
Portsmouth had taken just eight points from a possible 18 so far this year and their start offered an indication why.
Reading, quicker and slicker throughout the opening 45, forced three corners in the opening two minutes.
The last came following a mistake from Glen Johnson.
That exposed David James and Leroy Lita should have been ruthless with the ball just yards from goal.
It was enough, though, for Harry Redknapp to leave his seat upstairs and join Joe Jordan on the bench for some shouting
and screaming and, for a while, there was a steadier period from Portsmouth.
This produced an Arnold Mvuemba shot, a free-kick from Dejan Stefanovic, and one dipping effort from Gary O'Neil
after 22 minutes that actually threatened Marcus Hahnemann's goal.
But the visitors' overall display during the half suggested a club fighting relegation rather than a team within a couple of wins
of a Uefa Cup place.
Instead, it was Reading who should have scored at least twice.
First Dave Kitson, after 13 minutes, could not finish Stephen Hunt's excellent juggle and cross.
Then, six minutes from the break, the same player was allowed to walk through the Portsmouth defence and take a return
from Hunt again - this time standing alone in a yard of space inside the area - before Sol Campbell managed a tackle.
That was about the highlight for the former Arsenal defender, though. Alongside James - who had a couple of flaps - Campbell
produced the kind of shaky moments throughout that had made both of them ex-internationals.
Redknapp, relieved to go in all-square, will surely have had a word.
Steve Coppell's chat might have concerned the need to keep on keeping on once Steve Bennett restarted.
If so, his team had not listened because they began as Portsmouth had at 3 pm - shakily, their keeper under pressure, and having
to defend. By the hour mark, it was James who had relaxed over a cigar while the Reading fans had become frustrated.
It appeared a game that would be decided by the odd moment of quality that so far had been lacking and after 61 minutes
both sides produced one.
Benjani Mwaruwari's shot had a fizz generally missing from the contest and it forced Hahnemann to make the afternoon's
best save. The content, though, was close to dire.
But when Lita came off for Kevin Doyle, Coppell's switch nearly had the Portsmouth manager apoplectic.
Linvoy Primus managed to be outmuscled by the Irish striker, who eventually fed Glen Little.
This time James earned his bread by punching the cross out sharply.
Pompey's Richard Hughes might have won it when his left-foot shot hit a post near the end, but it would have been unfair.
Neither team deserved the spot-kicks.
Jamie Jackson at the Madejski Stadium
Sunday March 18, 2007
The Observer
http://football.guardian.co.uk/Observer ... 87,00.html
This might be the ultimate result for Sir Brian Mawhinney and friends, but a point each was about right.
With the Uefa Cup beckoning - Reading and Portsmouth are now seventh and ninth respectively - neither side deserved to
earn any more from a penalty shoot-out, a one-on-one with the keeper, the toss of a coin, or any of the other gimmicks that
might be suggested to decide a draw.
Portsmouth had taken just eight points from a possible 18 so far this year and their start offered an indication why.
Reading, quicker and slicker throughout the opening 45, forced three corners in the opening two minutes.
The last came following a mistake from Glen Johnson.
That exposed David James and Leroy Lita should have been ruthless with the ball just yards from goal.
It was enough, though, for Harry Redknapp to leave his seat upstairs and join Joe Jordan on the bench for some shouting
and screaming and, for a while, there was a steadier period from Portsmouth.
This produced an Arnold Mvuemba shot, a free-kick from Dejan Stefanovic, and one dipping effort from Gary O'Neil
after 22 minutes that actually threatened Marcus Hahnemann's goal.
But the visitors' overall display during the half suggested a club fighting relegation rather than a team within a couple of wins
of a Uefa Cup place.
Instead, it was Reading who should have scored at least twice.
First Dave Kitson, after 13 minutes, could not finish Stephen Hunt's excellent juggle and cross.
Then, six minutes from the break, the same player was allowed to walk through the Portsmouth defence and take a return
from Hunt again - this time standing alone in a yard of space inside the area - before Sol Campbell managed a tackle.
That was about the highlight for the former Arsenal defender, though. Alongside James - who had a couple of flaps - Campbell
produced the kind of shaky moments throughout that had made both of them ex-internationals.
Redknapp, relieved to go in all-square, will surely have had a word.
Steve Coppell's chat might have concerned the need to keep on keeping on once Steve Bennett restarted.
If so, his team had not listened because they began as Portsmouth had at 3 pm - shakily, their keeper under pressure, and having
to defend. By the hour mark, it was James who had relaxed over a cigar while the Reading fans had become frustrated.
It appeared a game that would be decided by the odd moment of quality that so far had been lacking and after 61 minutes
both sides produced one.
Benjani Mwaruwari's shot had a fizz generally missing from the contest and it forced Hahnemann to make the afternoon's
best save. The content, though, was close to dire.
But when Lita came off for Kevin Doyle, Coppell's switch nearly had the Portsmouth manager apoplectic.
Linvoy Primus managed to be outmuscled by the Irish striker, who eventually fed Glen Little.
This time James earned his bread by punching the cross out sharply.
Pompey's Richard Hughes might have won it when his left-foot shot hit a post near the end, but it would have been unfair.
Neither team deserved the spot-kicks.
-
AthleticoSpizz
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indeedjetsetwillyFar Canal sportinglife.com
[
STAT ATTACK
Reading.....Portsmouth
11 Shots On Target 2
6 Shots Off Target 0
5 Fouls (Conceded) 8
5 Corners 4
0 Yellow Cards 0
0 Red Cards 0
Stats seem like bollox, only 5 corners for us !?
must've had five corners in the first 20 minutes
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John Madejski's Wallet
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Hob Nob Subscriber
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Far Canal STAT ATTACK
Reading.....Portsmouth
11 Shots On Target 2
6 Shots Off Target 0
5 Fouls (Conceded) 8
5 Corners 4
0 Yellow Cards 0
0 Red Cards 0
Have they got those stats the right way round??
11 shots on target?? Neither me or anyone around me can remember one!! Seriously, if anyone can think if one shot (not matter how lame) that was on target i'd like to know
God we were painfully average today.....why the hell does coppell leave it so late to make changes? The game was crying out for a change but he waited till 12 minutes remaining. Always the same with Coppell. His one failing in my opinion
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PlasticRoyale
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- Location: Y25
John Madejski's WalletFar Canal STAT ATTACK
Reading.....Portsmouth
11 Shots On Target 2
6 Shots Off Target 0
5 Fouls (Conceded) 8
5 Corners 4
0 Yellow Cards 0
0 Red Cards 0
Have they got those stats the right way round??
11 shots on target?? Neither me or anyone around me can remember one!! Seriously, if anyone can think if one shot (not matter how lame) that was on target i'd like to know
God we were painfully average today.....why the hell does coppell leave it so late to make changes? The game was crying out for a change but he waited till 12 minutes remaining. Always the same with Coppell. His one failing in my opinion
Yeah, he could have brought Oster on earlier against Blackburn and he would have had more opportunity to pass the ball to Bentley.
-
Chillitsphil
- Member
- Posts: 173
- Joined: 14 Apr 2004 01:12
John Madejski's WalletFar Canal STAT ATTACK
Reading.....Portsmouth
11 Shots On Target 2
6 Shots Off Target 0
5 Fouls (Conceded) 8
5 Corners 4
0 Yellow Cards 0
0 Red Cards 0
Have they got those stats the right way round??
11 shots on target?? Neither me or anyone around me can remember one!! Seriously, if anyone can think if one shot (not matter how lame) that was on target i'd like to know
God we were painfully average today.....why the hell does coppell leave it so late to make changes? The game was crying out for a change but he waited till 12 minutes remaining. Always the same with Coppell. His one failing in my opinion
I agree with this to an extent, however the players are out there to do a job and quite often a player like Blakey, Lita, Kitson, Hunt, Doyle can produce a goal despite an ordinary performance. Also it is worth remembering that not scoring doesn't mean the players aren't doing well, if we are also preventing the opposition from scoring it may be that a substitute will come on and take awhile to adjust, and we will give away a goal in this time, the Oster example being a good one. This is why, in my view, Coppell is quite cautious with his substitutions, and to his credit, we do pretty well late on in games.
John Madejski's Wallet 11 shots on target?? Neither me or anyone around me can remember one!! Seriously, if anyone can think if one shot (not matter how lame) that was on target i'd like to know
Agreed.
11 shots on target is the most absurd stat that I have seen from sportinglife.com, ever.
I think that the journalist, Jim van Wijk, may have experienced a touch of finger stutter on his keyboard and really intended to type a single 1.
However, I'm struggling to think what the 1 was for.
The Sunday Times March 18, 2007
Reading dreams vanishing
Reading 0 Portsmouth 0
Barry Flatman at Madejski stadium
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/ ... 530685.ece
ANYONE who insists the Premiership is the most entertaining league in the world would do well to make a concerted study of
even the most cleverly edited recording of this match and then make a reassessment.
For a pair of teams who apparently still hold aspirations of a possible Uefa Cup place next season, there was little passion on
show and the most animation emanated from the technical areas, where displeasure at a collective inability to follow tactics
was readily apparent.
Harry Redknapp seethed. Steve Coppell just shook his head and a gaggle of coaches implored their men to try a little harder.
The sum result of worthwhile attacks, let alone attempts on goal, could be counted on the fingers of one hand.
Only one shot, a full-blooded drive from Portsmouth’s Richard Hughes nine minutes from time, was anything like memorable,
a 20-yard right-footer thudding against the left-hand post.
Reading could claim that the performance was out of character as this was the first time they had failed to score in 15 games,
but Portsmouth are now in a scoring drought and it seems that the end of the season cannot come quickly enough.
Both teams were acutely aware that they started the match on the brink of allowing their season to peter away into mid-table
anonymity.
Back-to-back defeats had affected optimism of historic excursions into Europe, with Portsmouth further beset by a glaring
inability to score goals.
Redknapp’s black-clad team had failed to score in five of their previous six matches, most certainly not a record to endear
strikers to even the most phlegmatic of managers.
However, it was the visiting side’s midfield that demonstrated the most enterprise in an otherwise forgettable first half.
The suspension of Sean Davis meant that Arnold Mvuemba was given his first start by Portsmouth since arriving on loan
from French side Rennes. And the 20-year-old midfielder saw his opportunity after just a couple of minutes.
Sidestepping to the left, he spotted Marcus Hahnemann a few yards off his goalline and hit a speculative shot that ended up
no more than a foot over the crossbar.
Sensing any form of penalty-area penetration might be too much to ask, Portsmouth contented themselves with shots from
range, even though their master of the art, Matthew Taylor, was confined to the substitutes’ bench and the occasional trot up
and down the touchline until late into stoppage time.
Gary O’Neil was presented with another long-range shooting chance after Gary Johnson’s searching free kick was nodded down
by Kanu, but again the effort was no more than speculative and ended high of the target.
At the other end, Reading did not produce a meaningful attempt on the Portsmouth goal until the 35th minute and then
James Harper’s accuracy was no better than that of his counterparts.
However, Reading seemed to possess more attacking options and the defensive awareness of Sol Campbell was twice required,
first with a perfectly-timed tackle and then a clearance at full stretch.
Reading’s best option seemed to be the potential of Leroy Lita to break away from his markers.
The home side’s leading scorer was dropping increasingly deep and consequently finding more space to exploit his exciting pace.
However, it was the recklessness of Lita’s tackling that hampered his side on the hour when Harper burst through a gap in a
menacing one-on-one situation with goalkeeper David James only to be pulled back because of a foul on Campbell.
Finally the game burst into life and became more open.
It was Portsmouth who forced Hahnemann into making the first proper save of the afternoon when Mvuemba supplied
Benjani Mwaruwari with the chance to surge forward and strike a powerful, low shot.
Stung into response, Reading won a corner that Glen Little hit high across the goalmouth for Stephen Hunt, whose initial header
was blocked before his follow-up effort spiralled high.
Typically, in an encounter devoid of fluency, the best move constructed was ruined by a premeditated foul.
Kanu looked to be in a threatening position five feet outside the penalty area after Mvuemba was again the provider and
in came Nicky Shorey’s tackle from behind to put an end to any hopes of a goal.
Star man: Sol Campbell (Portsmouth)
Player ratings: Reading: Hahnemann 6, Murty 5, Ingimarsson 6, Duberry 5, Shorey 5, Little 6 (Oster 84min), Sidwell 5,
Harper 5, Hunt 5 (Halford 90min), Lita 5 (Doyle 76min), Kitson 5
Portsmouth: James 6, Johnson 6, Primus 5, Campbell 7, Stefanovic 6, O’Neil 6, Hughes 6, Mvuemba 6, Kranjcar 3 (Taylor 90min),
Benjani 6, Kanu 6
Referee: S Bennett
Attendance: 24,087
Reading dreams vanishing
Reading 0 Portsmouth 0
Barry Flatman at Madejski stadium
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/ ... 530685.ece
ANYONE who insists the Premiership is the most entertaining league in the world would do well to make a concerted study of
even the most cleverly edited recording of this match and then make a reassessment.
For a pair of teams who apparently still hold aspirations of a possible Uefa Cup place next season, there was little passion on
show and the most animation emanated from the technical areas, where displeasure at a collective inability to follow tactics
was readily apparent.
Harry Redknapp seethed. Steve Coppell just shook his head and a gaggle of coaches implored their men to try a little harder.
The sum result of worthwhile attacks, let alone attempts on goal, could be counted on the fingers of one hand.
Only one shot, a full-blooded drive from Portsmouth’s Richard Hughes nine minutes from time, was anything like memorable,
a 20-yard right-footer thudding against the left-hand post.
Reading could claim that the performance was out of character as this was the first time they had failed to score in 15 games,
but Portsmouth are now in a scoring drought and it seems that the end of the season cannot come quickly enough.
Both teams were acutely aware that they started the match on the brink of allowing their season to peter away into mid-table
anonymity.
Back-to-back defeats had affected optimism of historic excursions into Europe, with Portsmouth further beset by a glaring
inability to score goals.
Redknapp’s black-clad team had failed to score in five of their previous six matches, most certainly not a record to endear
strikers to even the most phlegmatic of managers.
However, it was the visiting side’s midfield that demonstrated the most enterprise in an otherwise forgettable first half.
The suspension of Sean Davis meant that Arnold Mvuemba was given his first start by Portsmouth since arriving on loan
from French side Rennes. And the 20-year-old midfielder saw his opportunity after just a couple of minutes.
Sidestepping to the left, he spotted Marcus Hahnemann a few yards off his goalline and hit a speculative shot that ended up
no more than a foot over the crossbar.
Sensing any form of penalty-area penetration might be too much to ask, Portsmouth contented themselves with shots from
range, even though their master of the art, Matthew Taylor, was confined to the substitutes’ bench and the occasional trot up
and down the touchline until late into stoppage time.
Gary O’Neil was presented with another long-range shooting chance after Gary Johnson’s searching free kick was nodded down
by Kanu, but again the effort was no more than speculative and ended high of the target.
At the other end, Reading did not produce a meaningful attempt on the Portsmouth goal until the 35th minute and then
James Harper’s accuracy was no better than that of his counterparts.
However, Reading seemed to possess more attacking options and the defensive awareness of Sol Campbell was twice required,
first with a perfectly-timed tackle and then a clearance at full stretch.
Reading’s best option seemed to be the potential of Leroy Lita to break away from his markers.
The home side’s leading scorer was dropping increasingly deep and consequently finding more space to exploit his exciting pace.
However, it was the recklessness of Lita’s tackling that hampered his side on the hour when Harper burst through a gap in a
menacing one-on-one situation with goalkeeper David James only to be pulled back because of a foul on Campbell.
Finally the game burst into life and became more open.
It was Portsmouth who forced Hahnemann into making the first proper save of the afternoon when Mvuemba supplied
Benjani Mwaruwari with the chance to surge forward and strike a powerful, low shot.
Stung into response, Reading won a corner that Glen Little hit high across the goalmouth for Stephen Hunt, whose initial header
was blocked before his follow-up effort spiralled high.
Typically, in an encounter devoid of fluency, the best move constructed was ruined by a premeditated foul.
Kanu looked to be in a threatening position five feet outside the penalty area after Mvuemba was again the provider and
in came Nicky Shorey’s tackle from behind to put an end to any hopes of a goal.
Star man: Sol Campbell (Portsmouth)
Player ratings: Reading: Hahnemann 6, Murty 5, Ingimarsson 6, Duberry 5, Shorey 5, Little 6 (Oster 84min), Sidwell 5,
Harper 5, Hunt 5 (Halford 90min), Lita 5 (Doyle 76min), Kitson 5
Portsmouth: James 6, Johnson 6, Primus 5, Campbell 7, Stefanovic 6, O’Neil 6, Hughes 6, Mvuemba 6, Kranjcar 3 (Taylor 90min),
Benjani 6, Kanu 6
Referee: S Bennett
Attendance: 24,087
Sunday Times At the other end, Reading did not produce a meaningful attempt on the Portsmouth goal until the 35th minute and then
James Harper’s accuracy was no better than that of his counterparts.
However, Reading seemed to possess more attacking options and the defensive awareness of Sol Campbell was twice required,
first with a perfectly-timed tackle and then a clearance at full stretch.
Could this be our one attempt on target?
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