Reading 3 Coventry 1 - 01/12/2008
Reading 3 Coventry 1 - 01/12/2008
Reading: Marcus Hahnemann, Liam Rosenior, Chris Armstrong, Ivar Ingimarsson, Michael Duberry, James Harper, Kalifa Cisse (Brynjar Gunnarsson 77), Jimmy Kebe (James Henry 85), Stephen Hunt, Kevin Doyle, Noel Hunt (Shane Long 74)
Subs not used: Marek Matejovsky, Adam Federici
Booked: Stephen Hunt 42
Goals: Noel Hunt 32,62, Kalifa Cisse 37
Coventry City: Keiren Westwood, Elliott Ward, Daniel Fox, Scott Dann (Ben Turner 45), Marcus Hall, Aron Gunnarsson (Leon Best 59), Guillaume Beuzelin, Jay Tabb, Michael Doyle, Freddy Eastwood (Michael Mifsud 77), Clinton Morrison
Subs not used: Andy Marshall, Robbie Simpson
Booked: Aron Gunnarsson 43
Goals: Daniel Fox 26
Attendance: 16803
Referee: K Wright
Teamtalk
Striker Noel Hunt took his tally into double figures with a goal in each half as Reading recorded a 3-1 win over Coventry in the Championship.
Daniel Fox arced in a superb goal to give Chris Coleman's side a deserved lead but then deflected in a Noel Hunt header to equalise.
Kalifa Cisse then gave the hosts the lead before the break when he clinically drove home before Noel Hunt bundled in a second to kill off the game.
The Royals needed a win to keep pace with Wolves and Birmingham at the top of the Championship but were second best in the opening half hour before hitting back.
Steve Coppell's side lost their unbeaten home record to Southampton last time out and looked edgy as they were put under pressure by the visitors early on.
Coventry were playing the better football with the midfield trio of Jay Tabb, Michael Doyle and Guillaume Beuzelin dictating the tempo but for all their intricate passing it was a set-piece which broke the deadlock in the 26th minute.
Fox rescued a point for Coleman's side with a perfect deadball strike against Swansea last Tuesday and repeated the trick to put them ahead. Michael Duberry bundled Clinton Morrison to the floor 25 yards from goal and Fox casually sent a left-footed curler over the wall and right into the top corner of Marcus Hahnemann's net.
Another Fox free-kick was well dealt with before the former Walsall defender was unluckily involved in the 32nd-minute equaliser.
Liam Rosenior sent in a deep cross from the right and Noel Hunt's tame header hit Fox to loop over the stranded Keiren Westwood and bounce in.
Stephen Hunt then prodded wide when it looked easier to score before Cisse struck in the 37th minute.
Rosenior was again involved when he helped the ball down the line to Jimmy Kebe and the winger's cut back into the area was perfect for the arriving Cisse to side-foot past Westwood from the penalty spot.
The second period started slowly with neither side creating a chance until Noel Hunt was again the benefactor of some slack defending to grab his second in the 61st minute.
James Harper lofted a fine ball over the top for Stephen Hunt to run on to. The Republic of Ireland winger took a great first touch to put him in on goal but instead of shooting as Westwood came out he elected to try and pick out his brother in the middle.
Marcus Hall cut the pass out inside the six-yard box but criminally hesitated to allow Noel Hunt to tackle him and gratefully prod home his 10th of the season into the open net.
Kebe and Doyle then both had chances to extend the lead as the Royals' pace on the counter began to show but neither goalkeeper was called into further action as the hosts moved to within four points of second-placed Birmingham.
CCFC
The Sky Blues got nothing for a spirited display at Reading - only a longer injury list.
City took the lead against Steve Coppell's men but ended well beaten and with Scott Dann and Aron Gunarsson on the treatment table.
Coleman made three changes following the draw against Swansea last week and for a while City looked as if they could be heading for a hard-won victory.
City had made an impressive enough start but Reading slowly began to find their feet.
The home side had to be on their guard in the opening two minutes when Aron Gunnarsson launched one of his trademark long throws but they managed to scramble it clear.
They repeated the feat when Clinton Morrison won the first corner of the game after just four minutes.
But Reading, who had lost just once at home before this game, looked dangerous whenever they managed to get the ball forward.
That threat first surfaced in the 12th minutes when Noel Hunt, looking suspiciously offside, managed to get in behind the Sky Blues' defence but then headed wastefully over the bar.
City, however, were the first turn chances into goals in the 24th minute. Dan Fox lined up for a free kick in the same place from where he scored a week ago, and the result is the same.
The goal shook Reading into action and almost from the restart they started to look a more formidable outfit. Twice Keiren Westwood was called into action as the home side looked for a quick repose.
They got it just after the halfhour make through some very good fortune. Noel Hunt tried to guide a header goalwards but it struck the head of Fox and looped into the net with Westwood left helpless.
That was bad enough but it got worse in the 37th minute when Kalifa Cisse stroked the ball powerfully home after good work from Jimmy Kebe.
City needed to get the break without further goals and they managed it quite comfortably but ended the half with Scott Dann walking around the perimeter of the pitch clutching his shoulder.
Ben Turner replaced him at half time as City reshuffled but their realistic hopes of coming back were snuffed out when the brothers Hunt combined to devastating effect.
Stephen got free down the left and crossed in for Noel who scooped the ball from between Marcus Hall's legs to score.
That was effectively game over but there was no doubting City's work rate. Leon Best - on for Gunnarsson - combined well with Morrison at times while Michael Mifsud was bought on to replace Eastwood.
Elliott Ward had to move swiftly in the 81st minute when Kebe whipped in yet another cross, and City were fortunate when Stephen Hunt was flagged for offside as he ran from behind a defender as the ball was played forward.
4thegame
Noel Hunt's double capped an impressive fightback from Reading, who closed the gap on the promotion places to four points with an eighth home win in ten games.
The Royals' Madejski Stadium form has provided the bedrock of their promotion campaign so far this season, but a first home defeat of the season at the hands of struggling Southampton last time out seemed to have caused something of a wobble for Steve Coppell's side.
And if Reading were suffering a hangover from that game, then Coventry City cashed in as Danny Fox gave the Sky Blues a shock lead.
The January signing from Walsall had scored his first goal of the season in similar fashion against Swansea a week earlier and repeated the trick as his sweetly-struck left-foot effort bent out of Marcus Hahnemann's reach.
Reading responded though and were level on 32 minutes as Noel Hunt's header from a Liam Rosenior cross took a big deflection off Fox and looped beyond the helpless Kieren Westwood.
Westwood's error then allowed Kalifa Cisse to set Stephen Hunt up in front of goal, but the midfielder dragged his shot wide with only the keeper to beat.
It was Cisse who did give the Royals the advantage on 37 minutes, ending a fine team move with a thumping sidefoot finish from Jimmy Kebe's cutback.
And Noel Hunt completed the comeback with his second of the night - and 10th of the season - again with the help of a defensive contribution.
This time it was Marcus Hall who allowed Stephen Hunt's low cross to get tangled beneath his feet, to give the younger of the Hunt brothers the simplest of chances.
Victory moved the Royals to within four points of Birmingham in the second automatic promotion place and came as a relief to Royals boss Steve Coppell.
"Looking back at that Southampton game, I might have done things differently, but the one thing I can never fault my players for is their application," he said.
"When they have gone behind before, there has been a tendency to panic, but tonight they just kept on doing what we had set out to do and some of the combination play was terrific."
Reading: Marcus Hahnemann, Liam Rosenior, Chris Armstrong, Ivar Ingimarsson, Michael Duberry, James Harper, Kalifa Cisse (Brynjar Gunnarsson 77), Jimmy Kebe (James Henry 85), Stephen Hunt, Kevin Doyle, Noel Hunt (Shane Long 74)
Subs not used: Marek Matejovsky, Adam Federici
Booked: Stephen Hunt 42
Goals: Noel Hunt 32,62, Kalifa Cisse 37
Coventry City: Keiren Westwood, Elliott Ward, Daniel Fox, Scott Dann (Ben Turner 45), Marcus Hall, Aron Gunnarsson (Leon Best 59), Guillaume Beuzelin, Jay Tabb, Michael Doyle, Freddy Eastwood (Michael Mifsud 77), Clinton Morrison
Subs not used: Andy Marshall, Robbie Simpson
Booked: Aron Gunnarsson 43
Goals: Daniel Fox 26
Attendance: 16803
Referee: K Wright
Teamtalk
Striker Noel Hunt took his tally into double figures with a goal in each half as Reading recorded a 3-1 win over Coventry in the Championship.
Daniel Fox arced in a superb goal to give Chris Coleman's side a deserved lead but then deflected in a Noel Hunt header to equalise.
Kalifa Cisse then gave the hosts the lead before the break when he clinically drove home before Noel Hunt bundled in a second to kill off the game.
The Royals needed a win to keep pace with Wolves and Birmingham at the top of the Championship but were second best in the opening half hour before hitting back.
Steve Coppell's side lost their unbeaten home record to Southampton last time out and looked edgy as they were put under pressure by the visitors early on.
Coventry were playing the better football with the midfield trio of Jay Tabb, Michael Doyle and Guillaume Beuzelin dictating the tempo but for all their intricate passing it was a set-piece which broke the deadlock in the 26th minute.
Fox rescued a point for Coleman's side with a perfect deadball strike against Swansea last Tuesday and repeated the trick to put them ahead. Michael Duberry bundled Clinton Morrison to the floor 25 yards from goal and Fox casually sent a left-footed curler over the wall and right into the top corner of Marcus Hahnemann's net.
Another Fox free-kick was well dealt with before the former Walsall defender was unluckily involved in the 32nd-minute equaliser.
Liam Rosenior sent in a deep cross from the right and Noel Hunt's tame header hit Fox to loop over the stranded Keiren Westwood and bounce in.
Stephen Hunt then prodded wide when it looked easier to score before Cisse struck in the 37th minute.
Rosenior was again involved when he helped the ball down the line to Jimmy Kebe and the winger's cut back into the area was perfect for the arriving Cisse to side-foot past Westwood from the penalty spot.
The second period started slowly with neither side creating a chance until Noel Hunt was again the benefactor of some slack defending to grab his second in the 61st minute.
James Harper lofted a fine ball over the top for Stephen Hunt to run on to. The Republic of Ireland winger took a great first touch to put him in on goal but instead of shooting as Westwood came out he elected to try and pick out his brother in the middle.
Marcus Hall cut the pass out inside the six-yard box but criminally hesitated to allow Noel Hunt to tackle him and gratefully prod home his 10th of the season into the open net.
Kebe and Doyle then both had chances to extend the lead as the Royals' pace on the counter began to show but neither goalkeeper was called into further action as the hosts moved to within four points of second-placed Birmingham.
CCFC
The Sky Blues got nothing for a spirited display at Reading - only a longer injury list.
City took the lead against Steve Coppell's men but ended well beaten and with Scott Dann and Aron Gunarsson on the treatment table.
Coleman made three changes following the draw against Swansea last week and for a while City looked as if they could be heading for a hard-won victory.
City had made an impressive enough start but Reading slowly began to find their feet.
The home side had to be on their guard in the opening two minutes when Aron Gunnarsson launched one of his trademark long throws but they managed to scramble it clear.
They repeated the feat when Clinton Morrison won the first corner of the game after just four minutes.
But Reading, who had lost just once at home before this game, looked dangerous whenever they managed to get the ball forward.
That threat first surfaced in the 12th minutes when Noel Hunt, looking suspiciously offside, managed to get in behind the Sky Blues' defence but then headed wastefully over the bar.
City, however, were the first turn chances into goals in the 24th minute. Dan Fox lined up for a free kick in the same place from where he scored a week ago, and the result is the same.
The goal shook Reading into action and almost from the restart they started to look a more formidable outfit. Twice Keiren Westwood was called into action as the home side looked for a quick repose.
They got it just after the halfhour make through some very good fortune. Noel Hunt tried to guide a header goalwards but it struck the head of Fox and looped into the net with Westwood left helpless.
That was bad enough but it got worse in the 37th minute when Kalifa Cisse stroked the ball powerfully home after good work from Jimmy Kebe.
City needed to get the break without further goals and they managed it quite comfortably but ended the half with Scott Dann walking around the perimeter of the pitch clutching his shoulder.
Ben Turner replaced him at half time as City reshuffled but their realistic hopes of coming back were snuffed out when the brothers Hunt combined to devastating effect.
Stephen got free down the left and crossed in for Noel who scooped the ball from between Marcus Hall's legs to score.
That was effectively game over but there was no doubting City's work rate. Leon Best - on for Gunnarsson - combined well with Morrison at times while Michael Mifsud was bought on to replace Eastwood.
Elliott Ward had to move swiftly in the 81st minute when Kebe whipped in yet another cross, and City were fortunate when Stephen Hunt was flagged for offside as he ran from behind a defender as the ball was played forward.
4thegame
Noel Hunt's double capped an impressive fightback from Reading, who closed the gap on the promotion places to four points with an eighth home win in ten games.
The Royals' Madejski Stadium form has provided the bedrock of their promotion campaign so far this season, but a first home defeat of the season at the hands of struggling Southampton last time out seemed to have caused something of a wobble for Steve Coppell's side.
And if Reading were suffering a hangover from that game, then Coventry City cashed in as Danny Fox gave the Sky Blues a shock lead.
The January signing from Walsall had scored his first goal of the season in similar fashion against Swansea a week earlier and repeated the trick as his sweetly-struck left-foot effort bent out of Marcus Hahnemann's reach.
Reading responded though and were level on 32 minutes as Noel Hunt's header from a Liam Rosenior cross took a big deflection off Fox and looped beyond the helpless Kieren Westwood.
Westwood's error then allowed Kalifa Cisse to set Stephen Hunt up in front of goal, but the midfielder dragged his shot wide with only the keeper to beat.
It was Cisse who did give the Royals the advantage on 37 minutes, ending a fine team move with a thumping sidefoot finish from Jimmy Kebe's cutback.
And Noel Hunt completed the comeback with his second of the night - and 10th of the season - again with the help of a defensive contribution.
This time it was Marcus Hall who allowed Stephen Hunt's low cross to get tangled beneath his feet, to give the younger of the Hunt brothers the simplest of chances.
Victory moved the Royals to within four points of Birmingham in the second automatic promotion place and came as a relief to Royals boss Steve Coppell.
"Looking back at that Southampton game, I might have done things differently, but the one thing I can never fault my players for is their application," he said.
"When they have gone behind before, there has been a tendency to panic, but tonight they just kept on doing what we had set out to do and some of the combination play was terrific."
posted by SkyBlueSnowy at 11:45 pm
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