Out With The Old…

In With the New. Man Utd and Reading’s encounter promised to end 2006 with a bang, and boy did it…

A brave performance by Reading went unrewarded as Reading lost by a solitary goal in an epic battle at Old Trafford in the two teams final game of 2006.

It was to be Cristiano Ronaldo who sealed the score line; the Portuguese international netted twice to secure the victory, and take his tally up to 6 in the past three games – better then any Premiership striker!

Reading`s goals came from Ibrahima Sonko and Leroy Lita. Sam Sodje made an appearance as substitute replacing the injured Graeme Murty but two yellow cards meant the defender never saw the final whistle.

Reading started with the same team that took a point at Stamford Bridge, Kevin Doyle being chosen on the left wing over Stephen Hunt, Brynjar Gunnarsson playing a holding role in between defence and midfield and Leroy Lita holding the solitary flag of striker up front.

Meanwhile Man Utd fielded a different XI from that that has started for most of the season, Wes Brown, Mikael Silvestre, John O`Shea, Ji Sung Park and Ole Solksjaer all starting.

Man Utd were very dangerous going forward as the game got under way, Ronaldo forced a save from Marcus Hahnemann with only six minutes gone off the clock.

But Reading were ready to give as good as they got, Steve Sidwell shot horribly over from one advance while Leroy Lita turned and struck barely wide from 25yards leaving Edwin Van Der Sar looking helpless.

Glen Little also spoiled a prime chance, failing to strike well from a ball Kevin Doyle cutback to him.

United were not to be found on the back foot for long however, Wayne Rooney had a good chance from a cross from Wes Brown but failed to finish. Meanwhile, Ronaldo looked ever dangerous, heading at goal from a corner Marcus Hahnemann spilled the ball but fortunately the danger was cleared.

On 33minutes, Reading found themselves behind; Ronaldo cut down the left flank after picking up possession and put a cross in to the front post. Ole Gunnar Solksjaer was all but to eager to capitalise on Sonko playing him onside at goal and headed the ball net-bound from 10yards.

But although a goal down Reading were by no means out, a Shorey free kick from the right wing was met by Sonko`s head and beat the hands of the flailing Van Der Sar. Sonko`s first Premiership goal saw Reading draw level.

However close to half time it might be, United were not ready to let it drop before the break. Ronaldo came close to putting United ahead again, hitting the crossbar with a dangerous header just before the break.

The second half saw United come out ready to score more goals, involved in most Cristiano Ronaldo who was looking dangerous and a good bet on scoring given his recent form. It was from his cross that Hahnemann blocked and then Rooney scuppered the chance to put United in the lead again as he blasted the ball over the bar from the edge of the area.

Ronaldo was instrumental in more chances for United, playing through Rooney but the striker failed to score chipping his effort over the bar. Again Ronaldo led the attack, creating a chance for half time substitute, Ryan Giggs, but the wingman could not get his header on target.

Finally, Ronaldo`s hard work paid off when he himself scored with almost a third of the second half played. Reading were looking to bring off injured captain, Graeme Murty, when United broke down the left; Rooney flicked on to Solksjaer who hit the post and Ronaldo could barely miss as he blasted in the rebound.

Sam Sodje replaced Murty as Reading kicked off to try and change the shape of the game and salvage something at Old Trafford. But Sodje was booked within moments of being on, and within eleven minutes the ex-Brentford defender found himself receiving a second yellow card in what can only be described as a strange and perhaps unfair situation.

Rooney was breaking though on goal as the flag went up for offside. Sodje pulled Rooney back almost instantaneously with the flag going up and found himself being yellow carded again, although technically the foul did not happen in play and was therefore not bookable.

Even a man down Reading refused to give up the ghost and pushed forward to try and retrieve something from the game; Sidwell missed the target from a Nicky Shoery cross from the left.

Man United, however, were not going to let Reading keep it up them and went about making full use of their extra man advantage. Ronaldo had a chance at goal but chose to head across gaol rather then at it.

The flamboyant winger did make it three goals to one soon after though. Although it looked touch and go for a moment whether he was offside, there was no doubt as he superbly volleyed into the back of the net form the back post.

But Reading still would not concede defeat, Leroy Lita struck home after turning on goal into injury time to give the travelling fans a final something to cheer about.

And Reading gave the home team and all their fans a tense final few minutes, with last ditch corners, and despite Marcuis Hahnemann`s presence to add extra men to aim at it was just not going to be.

In the end it was to be Man Utd`s night, Reading had fought bravely and showed a lot more character and bravery then some teams did when visiting the Theatre Of Dreams, it was just a shame that they could not take anything away for their efforts, still there`s always next year.

Steve Coppell on Sam Sodje, one of the best player
‘It seemed pretty harsh to me. I saw the flag go up for offside and then the referee started gesturing that Sam had pulled Wayne Rooney. Maybe there was an element of naivety about it but it certainly made things difficult for us.’

‘Ronaldo is probably the player every manager in the league would like to have in his team. It is not just the goals he is scoring but the way he’s doing it. He is playing with more responsibility and is winning friends everywhere.’

‘In my heart I would like United to win (The Premiership) but I have said all along the key factors will be European football and injuries.’

Sir Alex commends Ronaldo and his team:
Cristiano is a fantastic lad and he is getting better all the time.’

‘He practises a lot and works really hard at his game and now he is getting the rewards.’

‘It has been a good day. We didn’t expect to be six points clear tonight but I think the best thing for us to do is look at the next game because it is a hard one.’