Yak attack sends Royals into last eight

A first goal for Yakubu sent Reading into the quarter-final of the FA Cup, beating ten-man Derby 2-1 at the iPro Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Steve Clarke continued his rotation policy by making two changes from the Leeds defeat, as Cox and Robson-Kanu came in for Blackman and Norwood. On the other hand, Derby named a much changed side for this FA Cup fifth round tie, but didn’t look like a side that had done so.

Less than a minute in, smart interchange between Lingard, Bent and Bryson set up the latter, whose first time shot was palmed away well by Federici. The early warning signs were there, and from the resulting corner, Dawkins scuffed a shot at goal, which Federici gathered.

Reading were slowly growing into it and came close with a clever free kick routine. Cox went to strike, but ran off the ball, allowing Chalobah to slot him through on goal, but his touch was poor and created a tighter angle for him, with the shot hitting the outside of the post.

The game was becoming end to end, with both sides having their fair share of half chances and glimpses of goal. Derby were gaining some rhythm towards the end of the half though, with Lingard’s long-range effort and Bent’s smart turn & shot forcing Federici into good saves.

Cox had our best chance of the game soon after – Obita’s looping cross was flicked away from Pogrebnyak, only to drop kindly for Cox, but his first time shot was wild. Then came the potential and ultimately decisive game changer, as Derby were soon reduced to ten men.

Stephen Warnock, on his debut, has already been booked earlier for a late challenge on Hector and was sent for an early bath, for a similarly late challenge on Mackie. Referee Craig Pawson really had no choice but to send the former Liverpool defender off the field.

This gave Clarke’s men a boost, and should have gone in at the break ahead, as Mackie’s original shot was parried by Roos, with Williams rebound being blocked. However, our players were adamant it struck an arm and replays show they had more than a case for a penalty.

Reading made their one-man advantage count shortly after the break though, as neat play between Kelly and Cox gave Hal Robson-Kanu enough space to touch and flash a good finish past Roos in the area. A top finish from the Welshman, who was having a rare, good game.

The home side did not play like they had a man less and were growing in confidence, eventually getting an equaliser soon after. A ball wasn’t cleared from the right and found its way to Forsyth, whose low cross was diverted by Bent, albeit unintentionally off Lingard’s shot.

Pog had a half sight of goal, as he turned well and got a shot away, but Roos got across his goal to gather easily. Cox came even closer minutes later, as Derby didn’t deal with Kelly’s cross well-enough and his firm half-volley fizzed just wide of Roos’ right-hand post.

The big Russian then forced a good, point blank save from the keeper, despite his downwards header being in his direction. Mackie really should have done better from the follow up, but managed to scuff his effort well wide, in what was his last action of the game.

It was fairly obvious neither side wanted the replay, so an enthralling end-to-end contest was now on display. Jamie Ward found a way through the Royals backline, but the impressive Federici did well to smother his effort, with Obita mopping up the rest.

The winning goal was dealt with eight minutes to go, through the substitute Yakubu, scoring his first goal back in England. Robson-Kanu broke away and slipped in the experienced forward, whose first touch was superb and finished equally, with a firm, low finish.

Derby had fought hard, despite a one-man disadvantage, but seemingly had nothing left in the tank. The Royals saw it out comfortably in the end, but fair play to the home side for putting on a real battle – it is obvious why they are promotion contenders.

Into the last eight of the cup we go, and just one game from Wembley! All we need is a few favourable draws, similar gritty performances, how far can we go?! It is a great distraction from a fairly miserable league campaign, so let’s just enjoy the draw on Monday!

Derby – 4-3-3: Roos; Christie, Shotton, Keogh, Warnock; Bryson, Hendrick, Mascarell; Dawkins, Bent, Lingard.
Subs: Mitchell, Buxton, Forsyth, Hughes, Thorne, Ward, Thomas.

Reading – 4-4-1-1: Federici; Gunter, Pearce, Hector, Obita; Mackie, Williams, Chalobah, Robson-Kanu; Cox; Pogrebnyak.
Subs: Andersen, Cooper, Akpan, Taylor, Norwood, Blackman, Yakubu.