Reading Lose At Fratton

Portsmouth: James, Johnson, Primus (Pamarot 46), Campbell, Stefanovic, O’Neil, Pedro Mendes, Davis, Taylor, Mwaruwari (LuaLua 72), Kanu (Cole 80).

Subs Not Used: Kiely, Kranjcar.

Goals: Gunnarsson 10 og, Kanu 52, Pedro Mendes 66.

Reading: Hahnemann, Gunnarsson, Sonko, Ingimarsson, Shorey, Ki-Hyeon (Oster 73), Harper, Sidwell, Convey (Lita 73), Doyle, Long (Little 55).

Subs Not Used: Federici, Bikey.

Goals: Doyle 84.

Reading lost their third league game on the trot, with an away defeat at Fratton Park. Pompey took charge from the first whistle and it remained that way for the best part of the game.

Reading`s team was mainly unchanged, Bobby Convey regaining his place on the left flank after returning to fitness and Brynjar Gunnarsson playing right back, after Ulisses De La Cruz was largely ineffective there against Arsenal. Shane Long retained his place upfront next to Kevin Doyle at Leroy Lita`s expense.

Reading went into the game having conceded eight in their last two matches and were looking for a change of fortunes at the Premiership`s smallest stadium. But it was clear from the start that it wasn`t going to be, Pompey taking several chances early on.

Kanu got clear of Ibrahima Sonko to strike a low shot against the post of the reading goal, but could not finish the rebound after he was penalised for pulling Sonko back as the two raced for the ball.

Soon after, Matt Taylor put through Gary O`Neil on goal, but his shot zoomed well wide of hitting the mark. But it wasn`t much longer before the coastal team were ahead.

A corner kick on Portsmouth`s left whipped in by Pedro Mendes found the head of Nwankwo Kanu on the near post, It looked like the Nigerian had put the ball in the goal but it was in fact Gunnarsson`s head that finished the ball on its course into the back of the net, leaving Reading trailing from the opening minutes for the second time in two league games.

Reading took their first attempt at goal with just less then 20minutes gone, Steve Sidwell headed at goal from Bobby Convey`s corner but David James saved after initially pushing the ball up in the air. Moments later Kevin Doyle lifted the ball over the bar soon after from Harper`s cross.

Portsmouth missed many chances of doubling their lead in the first half, Benjani Mwaruwari effort was at the forefront of these. As the midpoint of the first half was reached, the striker had to do nothing more then tap in a close range attempt from Kanu`s nifty ball across the floor; but Benjani couldn`t connect with the ball and the chance went screaming away.

Meanwhile, O`Neil missed a chance from distance and Taylor shot over from outside the box too. Benjani had half hearted penalty claims waved away from the referee who would have done better to book the player for diving.

Sidwell missed from distance, and Reading`s best chance of levelling the score was foiled by a brave save from David James. He spooned a cross swung in by Doyle but atoned by getting low and blocking Convey`s chance of a follow up.

Reading drew a little confidence from this and played with more urgency until the whistle blew but despite this there was no doubt that it was the home team that were on top of the game.

Pompey came out for the second half looking to put a nail in the coffin of the Royals` hopes of taking something away from the game; however Benjani seemed to sympathise with Reading`s plight. The Zimbabwean should have doubled the lead after Harper let a long ball bounce past him. Benjani jumped on the opportunity and went one on one with Marcus Hahnemann but somehow managed to lob the ball over, much to the away fans relief.

Not long after though the second goal came, and it was Kanu – who had at first claimed the OG by Gunnarsson – who was the scorer. Ingimarsson feebly headed away Matty Taylor`s cross and it fell to powerhouse centre back Sol Campbell. The England international slipped the ball onto Kanu who nestled an easy header past Hahnemann.

Glenn Little replaced Shane Long with ten minutes of the half played, Little taking the place of Seol on the right who hadn`t been as effective as usual on the right flank and took up position upfront. The addition of Blakey, one of last season`s stars seemd to the Royals, if only for a short while, and they held possession for longer and began stringing a few more passes together.

But Pompey reminded the Royals they were running the roost today when Meds struck home a superb volley. Kevin Doyle headed the ball away from a Pompey corner and it was all Mendes could do to strike the ball on the volley off the post and into the back of the net. Expect to see that one on MOTD`s goal of the month competition.

Mendes complied with the Pompey fans cries of “Shooooot!” soon after his first and almost hit a second, Marcus Hahnemann pulling a fine save out from what had otherwise been a so-so performance. Hahnemann`s hands were on hand again from the ensuing corner, denying Taylor a long effort.

Coppell replaced wingman Convey for John Oster and Leroy Lita came on to replace Seol and Reading finally showed the home side that they could play some decent football.

For the first time in the game they really got at the Portsmouth backline and caused some trouble, Oster and Little played dazzling football and proved that they are worthy of starting places in the Reading line up.

Reading were deprived of a penalty by Pedro Mendes`s hand after Gunnarsson headed clean at goal. But a goal came soon after for Reading, Doyle getting a foot to the goal line scramble that ensued from a corner.

Reading almost scored a second as they rallied in the last few minutes of the game. Ingimarsson coming close and Little making a tremendous run down the right but unable to finish.

It was too little too late for the Royals though, as the whistle blew and the home team took their well-earned victory.

Manager Rating
‘We were up against a strong outfit, well-marshalled at the back, a keeper playing at the top of his game and a powerful, competitive midfield.

‘And there was Kanu’s finishing. We got back into it then but it was too late.

‘If we keep putting our best side out I can guarantee we will be all right. Pompey will definitely be looking up this season rather than down.’

Opponent Rating
‘We decided to go at them from the first whistle and it paid off with some great football.’

‘He (Kanu) has been fantastic. Seven goals already is amazing. And he could easily have been given our first one today as well.
‘He keeps on heading the ball in and before I brought him here I didn’t think he could head it at all.