Boro End Royals Run

Boro 2 – 1 Reading

Viduka, Oster
Yakubu

Boro became the first team to record a win over the Royals in 2007, and although it had to come sooner or later, later would have been preferred to sooner but whatever will be and all that?

A lacklustre Reading went down 2-1 to a sharp looking Middlesbrough at the Riverside on Saturday. Granted, the team showed true spirit and commitment to the cause late on but it was far too late to overturn goals from Viduka and Yakubu.

Michael Duberry replaced the suspended Andre Bikey and was the only change to the Reading team that beat Aston Villa two nil a fortnight ago. But from the start it didn`t seem like the same team that had cruised through nine games undefeated since 2007 began.

Reading began with intent although Stephen Hunt`s effort was driven straight at the keeper. Hunt was involved again as he set Shane Long through one on one at goal.

Long, however, was let down by his touch, he pushed the ball ahead and allowed the experienced Jonathan Woodgate enough time to make a crucial tackle.

Michael Duberry brought down Yakubu in a very dangerous position leading to the first goal of the game.

Reading were left floundering after Boro worked a wonderful set piece; Stewart Downing floated in the ball as half a dozen Boro players rushed across goal. Emanuel Pogatetz got his head on the ball and a wrong facing Mark Viduka managed to back heel the ball across the line from a yard or two out.

Boro almost doubled their lead after Duberry was at fault again, the debutant tired to head a low cross out but it went towards his goal. Fortunately, Marcus Hahnemann tipped Dubbery`s header over the bar saving his debut from becoming a nightmare.

Hunt should have levelled the score in a very rare chance for Reading but the wingman headed Murty`s cross well wide of the post.

Boro were putting the width of the pitch to great use, exploiting the channels like Reading have done so often this season and the Royals were almost punished again after Lee Cattermole`s cross decided to be a shot and bounced off the bar, leaving a back peddling Hahnemann thanking his lucky stars.

Reading ended the half as positively as they started it, Leroy Lita was brought down in the box but the referee waved play on as the ball fell to Shane Long, let down again by his touch Shano put the ball wide on the turn.

Reading came out for the second half ready to show what they were really made of. The almost nonexistent Leroy Lita from the first half cast Pogetetz from the ball and went on a darting run, which ended as the on-top-of-his-game Woodgate and soon after goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer hampered his attempts.

Reading`s renewed energy turned what had been a dull first half performance into a gripping end to end contention.

Yakubu came close to doubling the lead but blasted the ball wide and soon after was denied by Hahnemann as he closed in on the Reading goal.

Long had some excellent chances up the other end, one which ended in half hearted claims that the ball was blocked by a handball in the area.

With Coppell readying Dave Kitson to replace the young Irishman, Long took one final attempt at getting himself on the scoresheet. After a superb run from the halfway line his shot bounced off the bar and it seemed show it just wasn`t his day.

Kitson`s presence made an immediate impact, the industrious striker played Hunt through on goal almost straightaway, only to see his team-mate ruled ofisde in a rather cynical decision.

Boro took advantage of Reading`s misfortune and doubled their lead soon after, Viduka left Duberry for dead and played Yakubu through who in turn done Ingimarsson and blasted a right shot past Hahnemann.

Reading, refusing to be beat picked themselves up and tried again. Kitson found good space to receive a ball, but put it over the bar on the volley.

Graeme Murty dragged a gifted chance at goal well wide and was left to rue the chance of his first Premeirship goal.

With only three minutes left to play Steve Coppell bought on Johnny Oster for Stephen Hunt. The Welsh wingman resurrected the team after striking a first time effort from a Woodgate headed clearance.

Although Reading mounted the pressure in the closing moments, they could not get past the Boro backline and Boro sub Lee-Dong Gook almost gave his side a more convinicing win after blasting off the post in the dying moments.

It was a shame that Reading`s first half inadequacy let them down, because their performance across most of the second half showed that they were capable of stretching their unbeaten run at least one game longer.

TEAMS

Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Davies, Woodgate, Pogatetz, Taylor, Cattermole (Morrison 74), Boateng, Arca, Downing, Viduka, Yakubu (Lee 85).
Subs Not Used: Jones, Parnaby, Euell.

Booked: Taylor.

Reading: Hahnemann, Murty, Duberry, Ingimarsson, Shorey, Hunt (Oster 72), Sidwell, Harper, Little, Long (Kitson 62), Lita.
Subs Not Used: Federici, Gunnarsson, De la Cruz.