January 21 2006

Andy Johnson

We still haven’t learnt our lessons from last week. Against Hull, we take a 2-0 lead then give a goal away almost instantly, writes Simon Pophale.

We got away with it as Hull did not pose us too many problems in the 2nd half. But against a team that hasn’t lost for 28 games, then it was always going to be a risk.

All the action that happened in a matter of 4 second half minutes. First, John Macken cut back a ball from the by line in the penalty box on 76 minutes that Steve Sidwell appeared to handle, but the referee waved play on.

2 minutes later, AJ found himself 1 on 1 with Marcus Hahnemann and rounded him only for the American international to bring him down.

Referee Kettle pointed to the spot and AJ made no mistake to give us the lead. 1-0 and with only 12 minutes to go, we looked all set for a victory. AJ was booked for his celebration in front of the Reading fans, who were barracking him during the match.

Reading stepped up a gear and at the same time, we stepped down a couple and within 90 seconds the Royals were level as former Eagle Glen Little made a diagonal pass which was touched on by Lita and Harper drove in from around 15 yards giving Kiraly no chance, we had barely finished celebrating.

Yet this was possibly our best performance at home since Sheffield United.

We have won other matches at home, some comfortably but from the first to the last whistle, we never stopped attacking Reading and we gave them possibly the hardest match that they will have had all season.

After only 4 minutes, AJ tested Hahnemann with a fierce drive which the keeper palmed away. 7 minutes later, McAnuff set AJ away and again, Hahnemann managed to scramble the ball away.

The match was an open affair with both sides passing and creating opportunities and Reading had their first chance, Kitson skying a ball over from 6 yards.

Other than these chances, the game was well balanced, with both sides attacking but with little to show for it as the game was scoreless.

The 2nd half began much like the 1st with 2 chances falling our way. First, McAnuffs deflected effort on 49 minutes was well dealt with by Hahnemann before Mark Hudson had a free header from a Ben Watson corner on 52 minutes but could only send it over the bar.

We forced 5 corners in 8 minutes but could not make the breakthough. Reading did have chances too, with both Glen Little and Kevin Doyle forcing fingertip saves from Kiraly on 61 and 64 minutes.

Coppell then was forced into a change as Dave Kitson was replaced by Leroy Lita on 65 minutes. Meanwhile their fans began to barrack AJ as he missed yet another chance, with only Hahnemann to beat on 72 minutes.

It looked like the “curse of Sven” was going to haunt him once again.

Then came the penalty and despite conceding so soon after taking the lead, we pushed on until the final minutes, attacking with consistent intensity and had Hahnemann not denied AJ in the very last minute, it might have been a different story as he palmed away a snapshot from 6 yards.

There is no doubt that Reading were the best team to come to Selhurst this season so far, but it is a shame that for 90 seconds, we were punished after 90 minutes of real endeavour in what was our best home performance of the season.