Chelsea 4 Reading 2: Torres breaks Royals resistance but visitors rage over offside call
By Sportsmail Reporter
PUBLISHED: 21:41, 22 August 2012 | UPDATED: 22:01, 22 August 2012
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footba ... eport.html
Chelsea enjoyed a huge let-off as Fernando Torres' highly-controversial goal helped send them top of the Barclays Premier League and denied Reading a famous result at Stamford Bridge.
Torres appeared a yard in front of play when he completed his side's comeback from 2-1 down in an early-season thriller but his finish was allowed to stand by Lee Mason and his assistants.
It was harsh on Reading, who brilliantly battled back from Frank Lampard's penalty to lead at half-time through Pavel Pogrebnyak and Danny Guthrie.
Guthrie's goal came courtesy of a Petr Cech howler and opposite number Adam Federici had a nightmare of his own - his second in five days - in conceding Gary Cahill's equaliser.
Branislav Ivanovic scored into an empty net in the final minute of stoppage-time after Federici bombed forward in search of a draw.
The victory put Chelsea top of the table for the first time since November 2010, a fact pointed out by manager Roberto Di Matteo ahead of a fixture brought forward due to the European champions' involvement in the UEFA Super Cup.
But the Italian will be concerned at how hard his side made it for themselves against the npower Championship winners, who had several other chances to score.
For 25 minutes, it was the Chelsea show, with Eden Hazard showing the skills that yesterday saw Di Matteo dub him an "artist".
The Belgian had taken less than two minutes to make his mark on his league debut at Wigan and it could have been the same story tonight had he not screwed Juan Mata's through ball wide.
Hazard, Mata and Ramires were constantly on the move behind Torres and more fine football saw the latter force a good stop from Federici.
Torres went close to a superb solo goal before Chelsea inevitably took the lead in the 18th minute, the skills of Hazard again the inspiration.
The £32million man tormented Chris Gunter to distraction and when the leg was dangled, he hit the deck, giving Mason no choice but to award the penalty, Lampard giving Federici no chance from the spot.
If Chelsea thought the floodgates would open, they were given the rudest possible awakening as Reading amazingly turned the game on its head in the space of four minutes.
Pogrebnyak equalised with a brilliant header, getting in front of Cahill to glance home Garath McCleary's cross
But the visitors had an almighty howler from Cech to thank for going in front, the goalkeeper embarrassingly allowing Guthrie's powerful free-kick to spin off his body and into the net.
John Terry powered over a header from Mata's free-kick and Hazard's blockbuster was also too high but Chelsea had lost the initiative and had lost their way at the back.
Terry was being given a torrid time on his 550th club appearance and conceded a free-kick that Ian Harte whipped in and Alex Pearce somehow failed to connect with.
Torres could also have done better than glance wide a pinpoint Hazard cross on the stroke of half-time.
Ivanovic blazed over after the restart but Chelsea were struggling to penetrate a wall of yellow as Di Matteo sent on Oscar for Ramires before the hour mark.
Jem Karacan became the first player booked for upending Mata and Pogrebnyak quickly followed for tripping Ashley Cole but the home side were just as ragged.
They were rushing what few shots they had, Hazard's blocked effort typical of their floundering, and Di Matteo took action again when he threw on Daniel Sturridge for John Obi Mikel in the 68th minute.
It immediately paid off in unexpected fashion thanks to another goalkeeping howler from Federici, who palmed Cahill's swerving 25-yarder into his own net.
Reading sent on Adam Le Fondre for Karacan and Noel Hunt for Pogrebnyak but the force was with Chelsea and Mata screwed wide before they completed their own comeback thanks to a huge slice of luck.
The build-up was the equal of anything they had produced all evening but Torres appeared clearly offside tapping home Cole's low cross.
Reading went for broke late on, with Hal Robson-Kanu replacing McCleary and Federici bombing forward and they were caught out when Hazard squared for Ivanovic to tap home.
What the papers say: Chelsea
Hazard controls the ball so brilliantly just at his feet that every challenge looks like a foul. His delivery and vision don't lack much either. It's clear why he stood out for BM.
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The Real Sandhurst Royal
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Very good report, the very same game as I watched!!
Guardian...
Chelsea break Reading's resistance to move to Premier League summit
Chelsea perch on top of the fledgling Premier League table, restored to the summit for the first time in almost 21 months, yet that is where the prescribed script from this helter-skelter occasion has to be ditched. If the locals might legitimately have anticipated a saunter, instead the emotion that gripped this stadium on the final whistle was one of utter relief. It felt like an achievement to deflate and defeat Reading, newly arrived from the Championship.
In the end victory was secured with a goal stabbed in by Fernando Torres from an offside position, technically his most decisive reward yet in a Chelsea shirt, and a breakaway fourth from a galloping Branislav Ivanovic deep into stoppage time with the visitors' goalkeeper, Adam Federici, still upfield after attacking a corner. There was so much here to leave the Royals heartened but Anton Zingarevich, Reading's owner, still departed cursing his side's ill fortune. Not all Russian billionaires prosper in these parts.
Roman Abramovich, watching from afar, would have warmed to the entertainment on offer, though no one at Chelsea will be hoodwinked into believing they will remain clear of the pack for much longer if the frailties displayed here are not eradicated. This match started and finished amid a mood of celebration but in the interim there had been vulnerability to alarm.
Had Alex Pearce made better contact with Ian Harte's free-kick as half-time approached, the visitors might have retired 3-1 ahead and avoided their late disappointment. They would have merited the lead at that stage. The European champions will thrill at the creative options at their disposal, desperation having demanded they poured a team of attackers at Brian McDermott's side when trying to equalise in the latter stages, but there are other issues to address.
This team, more than ever, feels like a work in progress. Roberto Di Matteo is grappling with an awkward blend of irresistible forward-thinkers and a defensive unit that, shorn of an effective shield, can seem suspect. They have yet to stumble on a balance. Pavel Pogrebnyak, offering the same muscular threat he had summoned with Fulham this year, proved as much by guiding a sumptuous header from Garath McCleary's fizzed centre across and beyond Petr Cech to haul the visitors level from virtually their first attack. Suddenly Reading scented blood.
Cech should have gathered Danny Guthrie's free-kick after John Terry had illegally thwarted Jobi McAnuff's run, only to misjudge the flight of the ball. As the goalkeeper flopped to his left, the shot cannoned from his body and into the net.
Reading had not beaten Chelsea in the league since a Second Division game in 1930, a record that stands even if it was sorely tested. What made their first-half ripostes, and assurance to the interval, so staggering was the reality that they had been scorched by the home side's opening. The lead they enjoyed at the break felt as much a triumph of resilience as any threat on the counter. Quite how they had survived the whirlwind opening was hard to comprehend, the only damage sustained a penalty earned by Eden Hazard's tormenting of Chris Gunter and converted emphatically by Frank Lampard.
The Belgian's touch and burst of pace have made him an immediate crowd-pleaser, his inter-play with Juan Mata breathtaking at times. Hazard warnings will be issued throughout the top flight after his first two competitive appearances for the Blues. In his last 20 league games, for Lille and Chelsea, he has conjured 13 goals, 13 assists and, additionally, now won seven penalties. It was his pass to Ivanovic that provided the fourth at the death though, by then, it was Reading who were playing catch-up.
Just as over-elaboration was threatening to nullify Chelsea's intent, and with their entire array of available attacking personnel on show – from Oscar to Daniel Sturridge – it was Gary Cahill who swerved an equaliser through Federici. Thereafter, the game had taken a controversial twist. Torres, who had not previously scored a winning goal for the club, was beyond the stretching Kaspars Gorkss when he tapped in Ashley Cole's centre nine minutes from time, the assistant referee ignoring the protests while McDermott crumpled in frustration.
"We didn't deserve to lose," he said. "I'm gutted the linesman's got that decision wrong: it has not been a good night for him and now it has not been a good night for me, either. I said to him he'd got it wrong, and he said he'd have a look at it. That's life. People make mistakes."
It will rankle, but Reading can prosper if they replicate this endeavour. Chelsea can, too, though they will know there is room for improvement. The hope must be the balance they strike retains the thrill of this new-found attacking intent.
Chelsea break Reading's resistance to move to Premier League summit
Chelsea perch on top of the fledgling Premier League table, restored to the summit for the first time in almost 21 months, yet that is where the prescribed script from this helter-skelter occasion has to be ditched. If the locals might legitimately have anticipated a saunter, instead the emotion that gripped this stadium on the final whistle was one of utter relief. It felt like an achievement to deflate and defeat Reading, newly arrived from the Championship.
In the end victory was secured with a goal stabbed in by Fernando Torres from an offside position, technically his most decisive reward yet in a Chelsea shirt, and a breakaway fourth from a galloping Branislav Ivanovic deep into stoppage time with the visitors' goalkeeper, Adam Federici, still upfield after attacking a corner. There was so much here to leave the Royals heartened but Anton Zingarevich, Reading's owner, still departed cursing his side's ill fortune. Not all Russian billionaires prosper in these parts.
Roman Abramovich, watching from afar, would have warmed to the entertainment on offer, though no one at Chelsea will be hoodwinked into believing they will remain clear of the pack for much longer if the frailties displayed here are not eradicated. This match started and finished amid a mood of celebration but in the interim there had been vulnerability to alarm.
Had Alex Pearce made better contact with Ian Harte's free-kick as half-time approached, the visitors might have retired 3-1 ahead and avoided their late disappointment. They would have merited the lead at that stage. The European champions will thrill at the creative options at their disposal, desperation having demanded they poured a team of attackers at Brian McDermott's side when trying to equalise in the latter stages, but there are other issues to address.
This team, more than ever, feels like a work in progress. Roberto Di Matteo is grappling with an awkward blend of irresistible forward-thinkers and a defensive unit that, shorn of an effective shield, can seem suspect. They have yet to stumble on a balance. Pavel Pogrebnyak, offering the same muscular threat he had summoned with Fulham this year, proved as much by guiding a sumptuous header from Garath McCleary's fizzed centre across and beyond Petr Cech to haul the visitors level from virtually their first attack. Suddenly Reading scented blood.
Cech should have gathered Danny Guthrie's free-kick after John Terry had illegally thwarted Jobi McAnuff's run, only to misjudge the flight of the ball. As the goalkeeper flopped to his left, the shot cannoned from his body and into the net.
Reading had not beaten Chelsea in the league since a Second Division game in 1930, a record that stands even if it was sorely tested. What made their first-half ripostes, and assurance to the interval, so staggering was the reality that they had been scorched by the home side's opening. The lead they enjoyed at the break felt as much a triumph of resilience as any threat on the counter. Quite how they had survived the whirlwind opening was hard to comprehend, the only damage sustained a penalty earned by Eden Hazard's tormenting of Chris Gunter and converted emphatically by Frank Lampard.
The Belgian's touch and burst of pace have made him an immediate crowd-pleaser, his inter-play with Juan Mata breathtaking at times. Hazard warnings will be issued throughout the top flight after his first two competitive appearances for the Blues. In his last 20 league games, for Lille and Chelsea, he has conjured 13 goals, 13 assists and, additionally, now won seven penalties. It was his pass to Ivanovic that provided the fourth at the death though, by then, it was Reading who were playing catch-up.
Just as over-elaboration was threatening to nullify Chelsea's intent, and with their entire array of available attacking personnel on show – from Oscar to Daniel Sturridge – it was Gary Cahill who swerved an equaliser through Federici. Thereafter, the game had taken a controversial twist. Torres, who had not previously scored a winning goal for the club, was beyond the stretching Kaspars Gorkss when he tapped in Ashley Cole's centre nine minutes from time, the assistant referee ignoring the protests while McDermott crumpled in frustration.
"We didn't deserve to lose," he said. "I'm gutted the linesman's got that decision wrong: it has not been a good night for him and now it has not been a good night for me, either. I said to him he'd got it wrong, and he said he'd have a look at it. That's life. People make mistakes."
It will rankle, but Reading can prosper if they replicate this endeavour. Chelsea can, too, though they will know there is room for improvement. The hope must be the balance they strike retains the thrill of this new-found attacking intent.
Telegraph...
Fernando Torres offside goal leaves Reading fuming as Chelsea start Premier League with back-to-back wins
Another game, another reminder of the intoxicating nature of the Premier League. Another game, another demonstration of Eden Hazard’s glorious creativity. Another day, another linesman and Reading would have got some reward for their prodigious exertions.
This was an exhilarating match, a real end-to-end tear-up between the champions of Europe and the Championship winners.Chelsea were a joy to watch at times going forward, especially when the ball was at the clever feet of Hazard, the Belgian who has played a key role in setting up five of his new team’s six goals this season. If Oscar still resembles an elegant fawn working out how to cross the M1, Hazard is more than up to speed, enjoying the pace and physicality of the English game.
If the imagination was seized by Hazard then due and copious admiration must be recorded for Reading. Some managers come here and park the bus. Brian McDermott came here and ignored the handbrake, sending his players freewheeling into Chelsea’s unconvincing defence.
Pavel Pogrebnyak played the hard-working lone front-runner well, bullying John Terry and Gary Cahill. Danny Guthrie was a fount of good ideas and relentless industry in the hole behind Pogrebnyak. The lively Garath McCleary ran at, and occasionally past, Ashley Cole.
A year ago this week, Reading were losing 2-1 at home to Barnsley in the Championship. Now they were giving the champions of Europe and FA Cup winners a real scare. There is a belief in this well-organised, well-motivated side of McDermott’s, a refusal to be daunted by their august hosts. Their fans set the tone, oozing decibels and defiance.
When the stadium announcer requested the visiting support sit down, they all immediately broke into “stand up if you love Reading”. Those not already standing promptly rose. All of Reading stood up to be counted on Wednesday night.
They were eventually counted out, leaving the Bridge with no points but a sense of injustice. The goal that effectively condemned them to defeat was cloaked in controversy, the assistant referee Andy Halliday failing to flag Fernando Torres offside for Chelsea’s third.
The frustration bit deep because Reading had recovered so strongly from Chelsea’s vibrant start. For a while, Juan Mata was running the show, dropping deep, releasing team-mates with quick, accurate passes.
Chelsea appeared in control. Torres saw a shot blocked. So did Frank Lampard.
It all seemed to be going to the pre-match script, particularly when Chelsea’s pressure brought an 18th-minute lead. Chris Gunter became the latest of the dupes of Hazard, the right-back being caught out by the jinking Belgian, lunging in and gifting Chelsea a penalty. Lampard duly drilled the penalty past Adam Federici.
Reading rallied. After 25 minutes, McCleary eluded Cole and delivered a powerful cross in. Pogrebnyak muscled Cahill out of the way, sending an unstoppable header past Petr Cech. Lightning struck twice. Four minutes later, the threat emanated from the left, from the captain Jobi McAnuff, whose run was stopped illegally by Terry. Ian Harte dummied to take the free-kick with his left foot. Guthrie connected with his right and the ball raced low towards Cech.
It seemed a routine save for a keeper of Cech’s experience and expertise. To the disbelief of the Matthew Harding Stand behind him, Cech failed to control Guthrie’s free-kick and the ball spilled across the line.
Reading fans were now in wonderland, chanting: “We are top of the League.’’ Embarrassed, Chelsea slowly clawed their way back into the game.
Torres had another shot blocked. Terry sent a header over. Mata found Hazard, who dinked in a ball from the right which Torres headed wide, a bad miss.
Chelsea needed inspiration. Roberto Di Matteo sent on Oscar, removing Ramires, and the new boy from Brazil briefly linked promisingly with Hazard during a 65th-minute break culminating in another effort from Hazard. Again, Reading refused to yield.
Di Matteo then removed John Obi Mikel and sent on Daniel Sturridge. Chelsea’s front six now read: Lampard and Oscar, Sturridge, Mata and Hazard with Torres up top. They soon equalised. Hazard, all touch and vision, picked out Cahill in the centre and the defender let fly.
Cahill imparted sufficient venom in the strike but it was still poor goalkeeping by Federici, who allowed it to speed into the net.
McDermott refused to settle for a point. Reading’s manager gambled, sending on more attackers, first Adam Le Fondre and Noel Hunt. But Chelsea hit back.
If Federici’s mistake had cost Reading for the second goal, it was an error by Halliday that allowed Torres’s offside goal to stand. Mata touched the ball left to Cole, who angled it towards the far post. Torres was a yard offside as he turned the ball over the line.
McDermott was enraged, having a go at Halliday when he ventured close to the halfway line. McDermott’s supporters kept singing, chanting his name and extolling the name of their club, but that decision must have left a bitter taste, a feeling that the lesser lights do not enjoy the bigger calls.
Reading went down fighting the odds, even sending Federici up for a late corner. When the ball was cleared, Hazard broke and played the ball across for Branislav Ivanovic to score, finally extinguishing the burning flame of Reading’s ambition.
Fernando Torres offside goal leaves Reading fuming as Chelsea start Premier League with back-to-back wins
Another game, another reminder of the intoxicating nature of the Premier League. Another game, another demonstration of Eden Hazard’s glorious creativity. Another day, another linesman and Reading would have got some reward for their prodigious exertions.
This was an exhilarating match, a real end-to-end tear-up between the champions of Europe and the Championship winners.Chelsea were a joy to watch at times going forward, especially when the ball was at the clever feet of Hazard, the Belgian who has played a key role in setting up five of his new team’s six goals this season. If Oscar still resembles an elegant fawn working out how to cross the M1, Hazard is more than up to speed, enjoying the pace and physicality of the English game.
If the imagination was seized by Hazard then due and copious admiration must be recorded for Reading. Some managers come here and park the bus. Brian McDermott came here and ignored the handbrake, sending his players freewheeling into Chelsea’s unconvincing defence.
Pavel Pogrebnyak played the hard-working lone front-runner well, bullying John Terry and Gary Cahill. Danny Guthrie was a fount of good ideas and relentless industry in the hole behind Pogrebnyak. The lively Garath McCleary ran at, and occasionally past, Ashley Cole.
A year ago this week, Reading were losing 2-1 at home to Barnsley in the Championship. Now they were giving the champions of Europe and FA Cup winners a real scare. There is a belief in this well-organised, well-motivated side of McDermott’s, a refusal to be daunted by their august hosts. Their fans set the tone, oozing decibels and defiance.
When the stadium announcer requested the visiting support sit down, they all immediately broke into “stand up if you love Reading”. Those not already standing promptly rose. All of Reading stood up to be counted on Wednesday night.
They were eventually counted out, leaving the Bridge with no points but a sense of injustice. The goal that effectively condemned them to defeat was cloaked in controversy, the assistant referee Andy Halliday failing to flag Fernando Torres offside for Chelsea’s third.
The frustration bit deep because Reading had recovered so strongly from Chelsea’s vibrant start. For a while, Juan Mata was running the show, dropping deep, releasing team-mates with quick, accurate passes.
Chelsea appeared in control. Torres saw a shot blocked. So did Frank Lampard.
It all seemed to be going to the pre-match script, particularly when Chelsea’s pressure brought an 18th-minute lead. Chris Gunter became the latest of the dupes of Hazard, the right-back being caught out by the jinking Belgian, lunging in and gifting Chelsea a penalty. Lampard duly drilled the penalty past Adam Federici.
Reading rallied. After 25 minutes, McCleary eluded Cole and delivered a powerful cross in. Pogrebnyak muscled Cahill out of the way, sending an unstoppable header past Petr Cech. Lightning struck twice. Four minutes later, the threat emanated from the left, from the captain Jobi McAnuff, whose run was stopped illegally by Terry. Ian Harte dummied to take the free-kick with his left foot. Guthrie connected with his right and the ball raced low towards Cech.
It seemed a routine save for a keeper of Cech’s experience and expertise. To the disbelief of the Matthew Harding Stand behind him, Cech failed to control Guthrie’s free-kick and the ball spilled across the line.
Reading fans were now in wonderland, chanting: “We are top of the League.’’ Embarrassed, Chelsea slowly clawed their way back into the game.
Torres had another shot blocked. Terry sent a header over. Mata found Hazard, who dinked in a ball from the right which Torres headed wide, a bad miss.
Chelsea needed inspiration. Roberto Di Matteo sent on Oscar, removing Ramires, and the new boy from Brazil briefly linked promisingly with Hazard during a 65th-minute break culminating in another effort from Hazard. Again, Reading refused to yield.
Di Matteo then removed John Obi Mikel and sent on Daniel Sturridge. Chelsea’s front six now read: Lampard and Oscar, Sturridge, Mata and Hazard with Torres up top. They soon equalised. Hazard, all touch and vision, picked out Cahill in the centre and the defender let fly.
Cahill imparted sufficient venom in the strike but it was still poor goalkeeping by Federici, who allowed it to speed into the net.
McDermott refused to settle for a point. Reading’s manager gambled, sending on more attackers, first Adam Le Fondre and Noel Hunt. But Chelsea hit back.
If Federici’s mistake had cost Reading for the second goal, it was an error by Halliday that allowed Torres’s offside goal to stand. Mata touched the ball left to Cole, who angled it towards the far post. Torres was a yard offside as he turned the ball over the line.
McDermott was enraged, having a go at Halliday when he ventured close to the halfway line. McDermott’s supporters kept singing, chanting his name and extolling the name of their club, but that decision must have left a bitter taste, a feeling that the lesser lights do not enjoy the bigger calls.
Reading went down fighting the odds, even sending Federici up for a late corner. When the ball was cleared, Hazard broke and played the ball across for Branislav Ivanovic to score, finally extinguishing the burning flame of Reading’s ambition.
Some seriously good writing in all 3 of those match reports; pretty accurate and fair to boot.
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Eaststandman
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These reports are of the game I saw and include the mistakes, observations and likely outcome for our efforts! Disappointed yes, about to open a vein, hardly!
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Bucks Dave
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I have to say that from where I was sitting I had no idea the Torres goal was offside. But I saw no Reading fan leave early and at the end fans and team cheered each other as though we had won.
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The Rouge
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Henry Winter (Telegraph) is rather good I think.
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Royal Biscuitman
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They all failed though to comment on the angry Reading fan caught on tv flicking v signs at the Chelsea players, disgraceful behaviour.Mr Angry Some seriously good writing in all 3 of those match reports; pretty accurate and fair to boot.
Royal BiscuitmanThey all failed though to comment on the angry Reading fan caught on tv flicking v signs at the Chelsea players, disgraceful behaviour.Mr Angry Some seriously good writing in all 3 of those match reports; pretty accurate and fair to boot.
What's wrong with that?
Chelsea are one of the teams I hate the most, and John Terry is probably most to blame for that. When I called him a racist thug to a Chelsea supporting 'Facebook acquaintance', he said "haha, you need to get over it!" ... This coming from a fan of a club who booed the BROTHER of a player who accidentally fractured Petr Cech's skull SIX years ago.
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Avon Royal
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- Location: Diggs. Sideline. Touchdown. Unbelievable.
Their fans set the tone, oozing decibels and defiance.
Oh Finerain, if only you were here to read that - the final f*ck you to anyone who still feels the need to deride our away support.
Oh Finerain, if only you were here to read that
- the final f*ck you to anyone who still feels the need to deride our away support.-
Eaststandman
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Royal BiscuitmanThey all failed though to comment on the angry Reading fan caught on tv flicking v signs at the Chelsea players, disgraceful behaviour.Mr Angry Some seriously good writing in all 3 of those match reports; pretty accurate and fair to boot.
I thought Mr A was merely pointing out the 1-2 scoreline in a helpful, caring, sharing numeracy kind of a way to the largely ill educated Chelski faithful?
Independent
Brian McDermott's new 'friends' match Chelsea in all but the luck stakes
Reading will not worry about nights like this. On their first big-stage test of their top-flight return, they played calmly but proudly, with enough self-confidence but not quite enough luck. Brian McDermott, whose side led the European champions for 40 of the middle minutes, said that his team did not deserve to lose. He was still confident of a win late on. Without late errors, from their goalkeeper and a linesman, he might have got one.
It was a performance just as good as Southampton's at Manchester City on Sunday, and followed a similar pattern. Despite going behind, Reading imposed their way back into the game and led before quality and fortune told against them.
To have wrested the game back was particularly impressive given how it started. Reading have a Russian billionaire of their own but, for now at least, they inhabit a different football universe from Chelsea. The Championship and the Champions League are different competitions and different titles. Anton Zingarevich has not bought players like Eden Hazard and Juan Mata, who spent the first 20 minutes playing a fluid game of piggy-in-the-middle with 10 yellow shirts in between.
When Chris Gunter performed his own Ivan Ramis pastiche after 17 minutes, misdirecting a tackle on Hazard by a matter of feet, Reading briefly appeared just as naïve and flustered as Wigan Athletic had on Sunday.
But Reading are a team in their manager's image, and they are more likely to merge with Oxford United than panic on the pitch. Brian McDermott has a lighter, more humane touch than anyone else in football. He "loves" his players and sees them as "friends". They take that unity and trust onto the pitch with them, and never look frayed or flustered.
So it was yesterday, as Reading played their way into the game. They did so inspired by three of their new summer additions. There could be no better sign of McDermott's gifts as an educator than the fact that Pavel Pogrebnyak, Danny Guthrie, and Garath McCleary, new to the hoops, played as he wanted.
Pogrebynak was the imposing physical leader, revelling in competition with John Terry and Gary Cahill. Guthrie, directing Reading's best work, enjoyed the responsibility he rarely wore at Newcastle. And Garath McCleary, the 25-year-old with a non-league background, was brisk and fearless in his wing-play.
The three combined brilliantly to draw Reading level. McCleary and Guthrie exchanged passes, and the winger whipped a perfect cross to Pogrebynak, who darted in front of Cahill and headed past Cech. Just three minutes later Guthrie put them ahead, curling a free-kick in via Petr Cech's generous legs.
It was as much as this team, newly-assembled but well-drilled deserved. They continued to push and with more time they might have scored another, Ian Harte's curling free-kick was just wide of first Alex Pearce and then the post.
A third goal before the break would have been a fantasy, but it was also a necessity. Chelsea pinned Reading back and while Guthrie has the fitness of Premier League experience Jem Karacan and Mikele Leigertwood do not. They could not hassle as they did in the first half, and were relying on Pearce and Kaspers Gorkss to keep them afloat.
Had Adam Federici's hands been stronger, and Andy Halliday's eyes been sharper, Reading might have held on. But they were starting to leak chances and, ultimately, did not have the luck to sustain their strong start.
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/brian-mcdermotts-new-friends-match-chelsea-in-all-but-the-luck-stakes-8073772.html
Brian McDermott's new 'friends' match Chelsea in all but the luck stakes
Reading will not worry about nights like this. On their first big-stage test of their top-flight return, they played calmly but proudly, with enough self-confidence but not quite enough luck. Brian McDermott, whose side led the European champions for 40 of the middle minutes, said that his team did not deserve to lose. He was still confident of a win late on. Without late errors, from their goalkeeper and a linesman, he might have got one.
It was a performance just as good as Southampton's at Manchester City on Sunday, and followed a similar pattern. Despite going behind, Reading imposed their way back into the game and led before quality and fortune told against them.
To have wrested the game back was particularly impressive given how it started. Reading have a Russian billionaire of their own but, for now at least, they inhabit a different football universe from Chelsea. The Championship and the Champions League are different competitions and different titles. Anton Zingarevich has not bought players like Eden Hazard and Juan Mata, who spent the first 20 minutes playing a fluid game of piggy-in-the-middle with 10 yellow shirts in between.
When Chris Gunter performed his own Ivan Ramis pastiche after 17 minutes, misdirecting a tackle on Hazard by a matter of feet, Reading briefly appeared just as naïve and flustered as Wigan Athletic had on Sunday.
But Reading are a team in their manager's image, and they are more likely to merge with Oxford United than panic on the pitch. Brian McDermott has a lighter, more humane touch than anyone else in football. He "loves" his players and sees them as "friends". They take that unity and trust onto the pitch with them, and never look frayed or flustered.
So it was yesterday, as Reading played their way into the game. They did so inspired by three of their new summer additions. There could be no better sign of McDermott's gifts as an educator than the fact that Pavel Pogrebnyak, Danny Guthrie, and Garath McCleary, new to the hoops, played as he wanted.
Pogrebynak was the imposing physical leader, revelling in competition with John Terry and Gary Cahill. Guthrie, directing Reading's best work, enjoyed the responsibility he rarely wore at Newcastle. And Garath McCleary, the 25-year-old with a non-league background, was brisk and fearless in his wing-play.
The three combined brilliantly to draw Reading level. McCleary and Guthrie exchanged passes, and the winger whipped a perfect cross to Pogrebynak, who darted in front of Cahill and headed past Cech. Just three minutes later Guthrie put them ahead, curling a free-kick in via Petr Cech's generous legs.
It was as much as this team, newly-assembled but well-drilled deserved. They continued to push and with more time they might have scored another, Ian Harte's curling free-kick was just wide of first Alex Pearce and then the post.
A third goal before the break would have been a fantasy, but it was also a necessity. Chelsea pinned Reading back and while Guthrie has the fitness of Premier League experience Jem Karacan and Mikele Leigertwood do not. They could not hassle as they did in the first half, and were relying on Pearce and Kaspers Gorkss to keep them afloat.
Had Adam Federici's hands been stronger, and Andy Halliday's eyes been sharper, Reading might have held on. But they were starting to leak chances and, ultimately, did not have the luck to sustain their strong start.
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/brian-mcdermotts-new-friends-match-chelsea-in-all-but-the-luck-stakes-8073772.html
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Ian Royal
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Those really are absolutely superb reviews of the game. It's amazing what quality the papers can put out for the only PL game of mid-week. I'm about as proud as I've ever been reading those reviews. I hope McDermott and the players have seen them and are using them to good motivational effect.
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royalsteve
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E. Andrew Hazard controls the ball so brilliantly just at his feet that every challenge looks like a foul. His delivery and vision don't lack much either. It's clear why he stood out for BM.
he will be a force in the prem but wont get any respect from fans if he keeps falling over like a 1 year old
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royalsteve
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Bucks Dave I have to say that from where I was sitting I had no idea the Torres goal was offside. But I saw no Reading fan leave early and at the end fans and team cheered each other as though we had won.
it looked offside and i was facing the goal at the other end of the pitch, lol. torres is quick but he seemed offside to me at the time, dunno why i thought that with no clear view but it just looked odd as he was totally unmarked.
Harte (correctly) let him run offside. Shame the Lino was stupid.
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