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Steve Coppell again tinkered the team and formation after the dramatic
defeat, Tuesday night at Preston. There was a welcomed
recall for top marksman, Shaun Goater. While John Salako was recalled in
place of Steve Brooker. The formation was slightly different with Andy
Hughes starting the game in the midfield but dropped more into the right
back position in the second half to a 4-4-2 formation after starting with
3-5-2. Palace started the brighter of the two sides and looked to get the early
breakthrough. Julian Gray looked the Eagles biggest threat but they
were unable to really threaten the Royals goal.
Reading were the first to get on the score sheet though against the run
of the play. Surprisingly it came from a corner! James Harper whipped the
ball in to the box where it was met by Ingimarsson, his shot was going on
target but was headed onwards by Owusu and the ball hit the top corner of
the net. Whether the ball would have gone in if Owusu did not have headed
it is undecided but as long as the ball does go in I don't care!
After the goal Reading seemed to gain in confidence and had a number of
opportunities to double there lead with chances falling to Owusu, Sidwell
and maybe the best falling to John Salako but his shot curled just over
the bar. Reading seemed in control but as the half progressed Palace got
more and more in to it with Andy Johnson giving Reading a glimpse of what
he is capable of. Just after the half hour mark Palace were back in it. A
neat bit of play from Dougie Freedman made an opening and he coolly
finished off with his outside of his foot in to the bottom corner of the
goal. The Eagles were taking the game to the Royals as they looked to go
in at half time in the lead, they had to wait till right on half time to
do it. Poor defending from the Royals let the Division's top goalscorer,
Andy Johnson in and he finished coolly to make it 2:1. So the Royals
trailed at the half time interval and it was not looking good for Steve
Coppell's men.
Half Time: Crystal Palace 2:1 Reading
No changes were made by either team at half time. The Royals looked a
lot better though in to the second half especially in defence were Ingimarsson
played well. Just over 10 minutes in to the second half and Reading were
back in the game. A good run by Scott Murray infield and pass to Owusu who
turned and shot in to the bottom corner of the goal put Reading back on
level terms. After his sending off in midweek at Preston Owusu has come
back to prove his worth and that he is worth being given a permanent
contract at the Madejski.
Reading had enough chances to win the game with the best falling to
Shaun Goater, he was one on one with the Palace goalie but his shot was
saved with the feet of the keeper. Palace rallied late on to find a
winner but could not force Hahnemann in to many saves. There best
opportunity fell to Freedman but he lashed his shot over from the edge of
the box. Coppell made two late changes with Owusu and Goater being
replaced by Kitson and Morgan but at the end Reading settled for a point
in their quest for a Play-off spot
Full time: Crystal Palace 2:2 Reading
Man Of The Match: Lloyd Owusu, the on loan player put his recent
sending off behind him and played one of the best games so far on loan at
Reading. Surely Coppell must sign him permanently?
Ref Watch: Graham Poll has never been that popular with Royals fans.
Made a few poor decisions but not as bad as recent refs..
Next League Game
Reading vs Stoke
City
Madejski Stadium, Saturday 13th March, 3:00 PM
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