Reading v Manchester City 2006/07

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Reading Hahnemann, Murty, Ingimarsson, Sonko, Shorey, Seol, Sidwell, Harper, Convey, Doyle, Lita – subs Gunnarsson(76), Long(75), Stack(unused), Little(unused), Hunt(unused)

WHAT THE PRESS SAID

IVAR’S THE SMASH HIT

 Reading Make It Grim For Stu

 IVAR INGIMARSSON sent Reading to the top half of the Premiership last night wrth an unforgettable header he will remember nothing about.

The Icelandic defender bravely powered home the winner after 23 minutes to give the Royals their second win of the season at fortress Madejski. But he was momentarily knocked cold by Sylvain Distin’s challenge as he made contact with Bobby Convey‘s free-kick, and when he came round he had to ask referee Howard Webb; “Where did the ball go?” lngimarsson played on despite a migraine, but the pain was worth the gain as the three points saw Steve Coppell’s men climb above West Ham, Liverpool and City into eighth place in the table.

For City, the hurt was self-inflicted in a wretched evening, Micah Richards got a telling off from boss Stuart Pearce after a temper tantrum when he was subbed and then Ousmane Dabo received a straight red card in the 80th minute for striking Steve Sidwell with his elbow as they both challenged for a high ball just outside the City box. City`s frustration was compounded by missing a series of presentable chances in both halves.

But the only goal was scored by a joumeyman centre-back, who was Coppell’s first signing as Reading manager, “lvar can score” he said of the player he also signed at Brentford and had on loan at Brighton. “He has played in midfield and he is sharp in the box, he sniffs out opportunities. But Ivar got a bit of concussion leading to a migraine when he got a bang on the head. He had a blind area on the right hand side and he couldn’t see the ball very well. But in the second half he still made so many last ditch headers and he deserved the man of the match award at both ends.”

  …Seeking City’s first goal of the campaign in open play. Pearce threw on Georgious Samaras and debutant Hatem Trabelsi on the hour. But all Pearce got for his troubles was a petulant reaction from Richards, The 18 year old stormed to the dugout and tore off his shirt to the displeasure of his watching boss. “I was disappointed with him but I will educate him,” said Pearce. “I want to see spirit in all the players. You have to learn in this game and he will learn. He has only played 20 matches and he has to realise the eyes of the world are on you in the Premiership. I have spoken to him and I will speak to him again. My job is to educate young players” And Citys bad night went from had to worse when Dabo was dismissed. Pearce insisted City were not being persecuted after Ben Thatcher‘s recent horror challenge on Pedro Mendes, but added: “Ousmane is very disappointed. He feels he did nothing intentional?   NEIL MCLEMAN WRITING FOR THE DAILY MIRROR 12TH SEPTEMBER 2006

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