Portsmouth 7 Reading 4

Portsmouth 7 (Benjani 7, 37, 70, Hreidarsson 55, Kranjcar 75, Davis 81, Muntari 89 (pen))
Reading 4 (Hunt 44, Kitson 48, Long 79, Shorey 90)

Just as Michael Duberry had called for Reading to be tighter at the back they go and ship seven goals as the record number of goals in a Premiership were scored on Saturday during Reading’s amazing 7-4 defeat to Portsmouth, all this with Reading trailing just 2-1 at half time.

Portsmouth made a dream start as within ten minutes they were ahead as Benjani put the finishing touches to a sweeping move that started with play broken up in midfield before the offside trap was beaten for Benjani to volley home at the far post.

It could have been more in the next thirty minutes that followed, and then with the ball won in midfield again, Benjani ran at the defence to beat three players before shooting home through Michael Duberry’s legs.

How there wasn’t a third from Glen Johnson soon after only Marcus Hahnemann could tell you as a stunning reflex save saw him flick the defenders effort over the bar from point blank range. The look on Johnson’s face said it all, he couldn’t believe it.

Hope was resorted on half time when Stephen Hunt made sure after Liam Rosenior had hit the bar, however, the ball looked over the line anyway before coming out to Dave Kitson who couldn’t beat David James on the follow up but Hunt did.

Portsmouth were much the better side in the opening half and five minutes but remarkably Reading were level within five minutes of the second half. Dave Kitson was able to beat David James to the ball as he charged out, also getting the better of Sol Campbell as well before finishing after rounding James.

Reading could have been behind again, before James Harper, fresh from his winner at Reading last week could have completed a remarkable comeback, then Portsmouth had a goal ruled out for offside as Papa Bouba Diop headed home.

The Reading curse of conceding within the opening ten minutes of the second half continued again when Herman Hreidarsson restored Portsmouth’s lead with a header. Reading then had a chance to level once again, after Papa Bouba Diop had handled in the box even though Stephen Hunt wanted to take it Nicky Shorey did, but he had this saved by David James, diving low before Portsmouth scrambled away for a corner.

That missed penalty was made worse when Benjani ran through to round Marcus Hahnemann, who much like David James rushed out unnecessarily perhaps to roll home for his hat-trick, and it was soon five as Niko Kranjcar rose to head home another swift Portsmouth break.

Still there were more goals to come and a volley from James Harper was helped on its way by Shane Long, who was onside even though the Portsmouth fans and players felt quite the opposite, as a defender was taking his time to come out, had he not it would have been a clear offside. But then again another deflection, this time off Ivar Ingimarsson resorted Portsmouth’s three goal lead, although I am sure that he would rather Sean Davis claimed it, as he did.

A last minute penalty from Sulley Muntari, after a James Harper foul was still not the end of the scoring as Nicky Shorey atoned for his early penalty miss with an injury time fourth for Reading, but they had conceded seven.

Portsmouth: James; Johnson, Hreidarsson, Campbell (c), Distin; Davis, Diop, Muntari; Kranjcar, Utaka; Benjani (Nugent 77)
Subs: Ashdown, Pamarot, Taylor, Mendes
Booked: Taylor

Reading: Hahnemann; Murty (c) (Long 76), Shorey, Duberry, Ingimarsson; Gunnarsson (Fae 76), Harper, Rosenior, Hunt; Doyle, Kitson
Subs: Federici, Bikey, Lita
Booked: Duberry