Ivar Ingimarsson’s brave first half header was enough to give Reading an important three points against Manchester City on Monday night.
Ingimarsson headed in Bobby Convey’s free kick, while nearly knocking himself out in the process as he clashed heads with City defender Sylvain Distin.
In what was often an ill tempered affair of few real chances the Royals had to fight to claim the points, something they will have to do a lot of if they are to ensure Premiership survival this season.
City dominated possession and looked the stronger more experienced campaigners but this only adds to Reading’s credit as they held on to claim their first clean sheet of the campaign.
Both sides had chances in an open first half although it was Reading who looked slightly more dangerous with their unknown quantities to Manchester City.
Despite a lot of high, long balls being played down the field Doyle and Lita both fought to make the most of what they were given and were a constant nuisance to the City rearguard.
This came to a head just after 20 minutes when Reading broke quickly down the right and Distin clumsily pulled Lita down, giving away a needless free kick and getting himself booked.
Convey swung the subsequent set piece in for the Ingimarsson to nod past the helpless Weaver while nearly knocking himself out cold.
Ingimarsson lay unaware of the jubilation of the fans, and surrounded by several concerned team-mates before gaining his composure and bravely playing on despite later admitting he had a blind spot to his left.
Amazingly the Icelander almost grabbed a sensational second of the night soon after when Murty’s deflected shot fell to him, although unmarked and only six yards out he took too much time to shoot and allowed Weaver to anticipate his actions and make a sprawling save.
Reading ended the half strongly but were unable to capitalise on this and grab a vital second goal with both Harper and Seol going close.
Both sides started the second period sluggishly leading City players to get impatient at their lack of authority on the game, with several tempers starting to fray.
Trevor Sinclair was throwing himself into tackles, most notably against Bobby Convey on the by-line, something, which could have earned him a red card. The feeling from the referee was that he did not want this game to turn nasty and so he let a couple of incidents slide for the seemingly discipline free City team.
City manager Pearce recognised his side`s lack of composure and invention, making two changes in an attempt to reignite his side.
With Samaras on, City posed a new threat with both height and creation as he went close a couple of times with chances he crafted, although it was the Royals that were growing in confidence and seemed in control. Sidwell was majestic in midfield driving the team forward and picking up all the loose balls to good effect.
The introduction of Gunnarsson and Long with 15 minutes to play galvanised the team offering fresh legs and ideas in both midfield and attack.
The pair were the stimulus of a lot of Reading’s key play thereafter with both contributing to the win, especially Gunnarsson who showed some confident and assured touches.
With the Royals enjoying a comfortable period, Sidwell leapt for a header around the 18-yard line with Ousmane Dabo only for the City midfielder to raise an elbow, which connected with the Royal`s midfielder`s head.
Referee Howard Webb had seen enough from City, showing Dabo a straight red. Although the challenge possibly didn`t warrant this reaction from the referee, City had been fouling consistently all night, picking up four yellow cards and it was only a matter of time before Webb was forced to act.
With only ten men to face Reading grew in confidence in the final few minutes creating a number of chances including a Doyle break, and a couple of close range efforts from Doyle and Long.
Because of the numerical advantage Reading were also allowed more freedom in midfield, leading to a swerving thunderbolt of a strike from Gunnarsson a full thirty yards out. Weaver had to dive the length of his goal to keep this out, producing a save of the same class as the shot.
Reading played down the final minutes of injury time in the knowledge they were on the brink of a second Premiership win that would take them back into the top ten.
This result gives the Sheffield United fixture at the weekend added importance as a first away win of the season can take us into our next hard spell of fixtures on the crest of a highly confident wave that could see us create an upset or two.
Player Ratings
Hahnemann
A solid display and will be chuffed to have kept his first top flight clean sheet. Covered everything with ease when called upon and rarely looked trouble. Some of his kicking was unusually off key for USA though, bearing to the left too much and going out of play often.
Murty
Sometimes looked to give players too much space to run in and dwell on the ball but otherwise another great performance. Some great balls and vision, and an outstanding last ditch tackle or two.
Shorey
A comfortable game for Shorey who looks to be settling into the Premiership with ease. Some good forward runs and support as well as the usual pace, thought and calmness when tracking back.
Ingimarsson
Outstanding and barely pipped to Man of the Match by Sonko. Showed his commitment in putting his head in the firing line to score the decisive goal and otherwise a great defensive performance showing great positioning all night despite playing on with a blind spot.
Sonko
Barely put a foot wrong and showed why he was missed so much against Wigan. Height and strength look to be two things we are lacking in our team and Sonks made the difference in these departments. Flawless.
Seol
Pacy, skillful, the quickest thinking player on the pitch, unafraid to run at people and try things or go for goal. Absolutely class and another Coppell bargain. Only gripe would be his delivery is lacking a lot of the time.
Convey
Far too nervous, seemed scared to get stuck in on the defensive side and apprehensive about really going for the throat when running at the opposition. Anonymous for large parts of the game and could struggle to hold onto his starting berth at this rate, especially with Little returning. Assisted in the goal.
Sidwell
Led from the front and showed Pearce what he was missing. Every ball that came loose Sidwell was there to clear up and make something for Reading and really was the engine room of the whole match.
Harper
For someone so confident off the pitch he seemed too nervous on it. Hanging back, scared to shoot when the chance is there, getting in players way, and seemed to be carried at times by the energetic Sidwell.
Doyle
A frustrating night for Doyle who came up against huge men at the back for City. His pace wasnt used to great effect with a lot of long balls coming through that he was unable to get hold of. Still plugged away like a trooper and was nearly rewarded a couple of times late on.
Lita
Like Doyle, Lita struggled with the long balls and with the physical presence of City’s central defensive pairing. Again like Doyle, Lita plugged away and was rewarded by winning the free kick that led to goal. Leroy was a constant menace getting under Distin’s feet.
Long
Looked energetic and willing when he came on which is what we like to see. Hopefully his young pacy legs will terrorise a lot of tired defensive late on in games this season as Longy tries to make a name for himself at this level.
Gunnarsson
Absolutely brilliant technically and was that a Maradona turn I saw on the touchline in front of the East stand? Came on and selflessly helped the side hold on for a great victory. Had a great long range curler saved equally well by Weaver late on.
Deserves a mention as he broke his Hoodoo against City despite not getting a run out. For those who dont know…
http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/readingfc/2003/2003593/little_keen_to_end_city_hoodoo
Manager Rating
Coppell was his usual placid self, leaning up against the dug out for most of the game although it must be said that it was job well done yet again. Wally Downes seems to be getting more and more vocal than ever on the touchline, even giving Psycho a run for his money at times!!
Opponent Rating
Stuart Pearce – Obviously I’m being biased and I would expect no less but I dont know how he can be off his bench contesting some of the ref’s decisions regarding City players. They could have arguably had Barton and Sinclair also see red tonight and its no coincidence that their lack of discpline is a talking point right now.
Fans/Atmosphere
A big well done to all Royals everywhere for their superb support so far this season. It really is making all the difference at games, and everywhere you go people are talking positively about Reading fans which makes a great change. Our home form could be the difference between us staying up and going down this year which means its our duty as Reading fans to cheer the boys onto victory at every game and make the Mad Stad as formidable a fortress for teams to visit as possible
