Matchday 18 ~ Reading vs Sunderland

[Freddy Adu]

on target

[Freddy Adu]

Jones was on target from more than 20 yards out at the other end but fired straight at Hahnemann.

[Freddy Adu]

But from his next attack he went down under a Sonko challenge and referee Tanner pointed to the spot.

[Freddy Adu]

Up stepped Chopra to beat Hahnemann from the spot to record his first goal since the second match of the season.

[Freddy Adu]

Chopra almost won it with a drive that Hahnemann had to tip over and the American was required once more to deny Jones after the Reading back-line were caught cold.

[Freddy Adu]

But Hunt had the final say in stoppage time when he was on the end of a cross from substitute Shane Long, who had replaced Convey. Again Gordon blocked - but this time the ball was judged to be over the line

[Freddy Adu]

"I felt we deserved it but I'm bound to say that. I would have hoped it would turn out to be one of those emphatic 1-0 wins but as often happens the goal was the signal for the final act in the play. And the final act almost turned into a tragedy but in the end was fortunate, which is the best way of putting it."
- Steve Coppell

[Freddy Adu]

"We should have got a point but the game was taken out of our hands. But it's important as a football club and as a manager to rise above it. Decisions in the last couple of games have cost us dearly."
- Roy Keane

[Freddy Adu]

Ivar Ingimarsson
The defender scored a crucial opener to set the Royals on their way to an important win.

[Freddy Adu]

Reading 2-1 Sunderland

[Freddy Adu]

Stephen Hunt scored a controversial stoppage-time winner as Reading edged past Sunderland 2-1. Ivar Ingimarsson pounced on Craig Gordon's fumble to put the Royals ahead, but Michael Chopra had looked to have secured a point with a penalty 10 minutes from full-time. However, there was a late twist as Hunt's angled effort was deemed to have crossed the line before Craig Gordon parried it away.

[Freddy Adu]

For full match report, click here