Reading defeated Hull City 3 – 1 yesterday to move within a point of league leaders Sheffield United. Goals from Bobby Convey, Kevin Doyle and Glenn Little gave Reading the victory. Nick Barmby had equalised early in the second half, but Reading had the skill and class to win the game.
Convey opened the scoring for the Royals early on after just seven minutes. After beating the offside trap, Convey was able to control the long ball over the defence and beat Myhill with a left footed strike into the bottom left hand corner. Both teams then had chances to score, with both goalkeepers making impressive saves to keep the score at 1 – 0. Just after the half hour mark, City finally beat the Royals goalkeeper Hahnemann, but Nick Barmby saw his header from ten yards glance the post and go behind.
Although both teams had chances in the first half, Reading through Lita and Hull City through Burgess, the game finished 1 – 0 at half time.
With neither side making changes at the start of the second half, Hull were first to strike and equalised in the 53rd minute. Elliott’s hopeful ball found Lynch, who after beating full-back Nicky Shorey delivered a far post cross. Headed back by Ben Burgess, Nick Barmby glanced the ball in for the equaliser. A draw would have been a great result for Hull, but with Sheffield United dropping points at home to Milwall, Reading knew it was a great opportunity to close the gap on their rivals.
In the 69th minute, Reading went back in front. A cross from wide wasn’t dealt with in the City defence and Doyle was allowed to turn acrobaticaly, firing an effort in off the underside of the bar. Hull then lost concentration, as just a minute later, Reading found themselves with a two goal cushion. The impressive Convey, who was a threat all game with his constant and direct running slipped the ball through to Glenn Little, who waltzed through the City defence to strike a shot past Bo Myhill. That was game over.
Bo Myhill continued to keep out Reading, and without him in goal yesterday, this really could have been a romp for Reading. Reading clear and convincing victors in the match.
Player Ratings
Bo Myhill – 10
Outstanding – kept Hull in the game with a string of amazing saves to keep out the Reading frontline. Arsenal are reported to be interested in signing the Americna born keeper in January, and on this showing you can see why. Hull will be hoping he doesn’t go – as we need him !!
Mark Lynch – 5
Facing the impressive Convey, he had a torrid time. Beaten for pace and skill down the wings, he wasn’t able to stop the crosses coming in. Got forward well to assist in Barmby’s goal, but apart from that didn’t have the best of games.
Leon – 7
Steady as ever. Managed to keep the lively Lita quiet and did what he had to do well.
Sam Collins – 7
Like Cort, did well at the back. Has settled in nicely to his new surroundings and had a steady game alongside Cort.
Damien Delaney – 6
When will Peter Taylor realise that Damien is not a left-back. Yes – our other recognised left – back’s are out injured but surely there are better optoins. Battled away well in a position he isn’t designed to play. Always showed good comitment to the cause.
Craig Fagan – 6
Playing in a wide right role, again not a natural position for this player. Tried to support the front two well, but didn’t have the best of games.
Stuart Green – 7
A frustrating player who has a lot more ability than he usually shows. Tried and battled in the centre alongside Welsh. Didn’t pull out of challenges and lets hope he can play like this a bit more. Doubters perhaps need to give him a little more time to pull things around.
John Welsh – 7
Probably missed Curtis Woodhouse alongside him as that pairing have played well together. Had a steady match in the centre of the park and went close with a few efforts.
Stuart Elliott – 5
Not one of his better performances. Wasn’t realy involved in the game at all apart from winning a few headers. Disappointing.
Ben Burgess – 7
Had a few efforts on goal where he did well to get a shot away. Set up Barmby’s goal with a nice header across goal, but was getting beaten too many times in the air for a big target man. An average game from the striker.
Nicky Barmby -7
A good performance. When City were on top, Barmby ran the game from the front. Did well with his goal and looked generally lively. A welcome return to the team in recent games.
Russell Fry – N/A
Not really long enough to make any kind of an impact on the game.
Kevin Ellison – N/A
Not really long enough to make any kind of an impact on the game. Had one header on goal but was a tame effort.
Substitutions
A debut for the new striker but only played for thirteen minutes. Nowhere near long enough to make an impact on the game, and will be hoping for a start on Tuesday night.
Manager Rating
Playing Damien Delaney at left back is not an answer to our problems. The sooner he returns to the middle, the better. Other than that, with current injuries, some of the squad picked itself. Will be disappointed his team didn’t hang on for a draw and le tin two goals in 2 minutes. I don’t think there was much more Taylor could do, apart from maybe putting on the substitutions a little earlier to let them get in the game. 13 minutes is no long enough to get into the game.
Opponent Rating
Got his tactics right. His pacey wingers are always a threat and our full-backs couldn’t deal with them. The abscence of Dave Kitson mean’t Lita came back in, and both forwards also looked lively. A solid performace from his team, and Reading have extended their unbeaten sequence to 21 matches. Coppell must be congratulated for that sort of a run!!
Bo Myhill
Unbelievable !! Arsenal are rumoured to be after him and on this showing, he would be going. Save after save and if Hull could get enough money for the highly rated goalkeeper, he would surely be on his way. A few million may be able to solve our problems.
Why Damien ??
I am sure a question many fans always aak. Why is Damien playing at left-back. Give someone else a chance, such as young Scott Wiseman or even Mark Lynch can swap over to left back and let Ryan France come in at right back.
Substitutions
I feel they were made too late. The new boy Paynter isn’t going to know his team mate’s games fully yet, so thirteen minutes isn’t going to be lon enough to get in the game. When the goal for 2-1 went in, immediate changes should have been made.
