Reading

Chelsea to write to FA over Cech
Chelsea are to write to the Football Association in the next few days to outline their concerns over the treatment of Petr Cech on Saturday. Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho said it took 30 minutes for an ambulance to arrive for Cech, who fractured his skull in a collision with Reading's Stephen Hunt. However, a South Central Ambulance Service NHS Trust spokesman told SSB that it took seven minutes. In a statement, Chelsea said \"serious questions\" needed answering. As well as Hunt's challenge on goalkeeper Cech in the first minute, the Blues are also expected to mention Ibrahima Sonko's collision with Carlo Cudicini late in the game which resulted in the Italian being stretchered off. And they will mention the post-match healthcare issues. Chelsea's director of communications Simon Greenberg told BBC Radio Five Live: \"We have got several serious questions that we would like the FA, or the appropriate authority, to look into. \"Those will be submitted to the FA along with other questions regarding incidents that took place in the game.\" The dispute has led to a series of claims and counter-claims. Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho says: Cech spent 30 minutes waiting for an ambulance Reading and ambulance staff say: Ambulance called at 1745 BST Ambulance arrived at 1752 BST Ambulance left at 1804 BST Ambulance arrived at hospital at 1811 BST Mourinho says: Cech \"couldn't leave the dressing room properly and had to go, with the injury he had, in a wheelchair in the lift.\" Ambulance duty officer Mark Ainsworth says: The option to remove Cech on a stretcher around the pitch edge was \"declined by the Chelsea doctor\". The \"other option was to go in a wheelchair\". Mourinho said on Tuesday: \"If my goalkeeper dies in that dressing room or in the process it is something English football has to think about. \"This is much more important than football. I would like someone to tell me why my goalkeeper was left in this situation.\" Reading Football Club also made a statement on Tuesday in response to Mourinho's allegations. \"Mr Mourinho has clearly implied that Reading Football Club did not have the proper medical arrangements in place to provide Petr Cech with the best possible treatment,\" the club said on its website. \"We feel it necessary to clearly set the record straight and provide the actual facts of the treatment received by the player.\" Reading's statement also backs the timings of the ambulance arrival set out by the Trust. Reading FC added in the statement: \"Petr Cech was taken to the ambulance in a medical chair via a lift, but this was not a necessity. \"Another route to the ambulance could have been taken and was offered, which would have allowed Cech to remain on a stretcher (the same route used to take Carlo Cudicini to the ambulance later that afternoon), but Chelsea's medical staff decided against this.\"

Reading 0-4 Arsenal
Arsenal moved up to fourth in the Premiership after a sparkling display. Thierry Henry needed only 58 seconds to score Arsenal's first goal at the Madejski Stadium, the striker stroking home Cesc Fabregas' precise pull-back. Alexander Hleb doubled the lead after exchanging passes with Tomas Rosicky and Robin van Persie finished another fast-flowing move after half-time. Thierry Henry converted a penalty after Marcus Hahnemann's foul on Fabregas as Arsenal completely outclassed Reading. With title rivals Manchester United and Chelsea both wrapping up victories before Arsenal had kicked off, the Gunners were under pressure to secure the three points to keep them in touch. They wasted little time in stamping their authority on the game, the first league meeting between the two sides. Fabregas received the ball on the right, nonchalantly brushed aside James Harper's challenge and cut the ball back for Henry to score his 168th Premiership goal. The sublime goal set the tone for a sumptuous attacking display from the Gunners. Henry and Fabregas combined again after five minutes but Reading keeper Ivar Ingimarsson was alert to the danger and smothered the teenager's shot. Reading threatened an unlikely equaliser through Seol Ki-Hyeon but Jens Lehmann tipped over the South Korean's fierce volley - and Arsenal were soon 2-0 ahead. Hleb collected Tomas Rosicky's return pass and blasted the ball off Marcus Hahnemann's arm and into the roof of the net. Had Van Persie been less selfish, Arsenal might even have been further ahead at the interval. The Dutch striker twice went for goal with his team-mates screaming for the ball, while he also blazed a free-kick over the bar. Steve Coppell opted for a change at half-time, Brynjar Gunnarsson replacing Ulises de la Cruz at right-back but within four minutes of the restart, the Reading boss watched in horror as the hosts' defence was sliced open again. Hleb collected Henry's through ball and cut it back for Van Persie to slot home. Reading, for whom striker Shane Long made a first Premiership start, were in danger of being overrun but, to their credit, they kept their heads up. Coppell's side even came close to a goal when Stephen Hunt shot over but Arsenal hit back immediately. Fabregas was clearly caught by Hahnemann as he bore down on goal and Henry coolly converted the penalty to make it 4-0. With 20 minutes still left to play, the Gunners relaxed, allowing Reading some long spells of possession, but the visitors could not find a consolation as an in-form Arsenal posted their fifth successive league win. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Reading: Hahnemann, De la Cruz (Gunnarsson 46), Sonko, Ingimarsson, Shorey, Ki-Hyeon (Oster 77), Sidwell, Harper, Hunt, Long (Little 73), Doyle. Subs Not Used: Stack, Lita. Arsenal: Lehmann, Hoyte, Toure, Djourou, Gallas, Rosicky (Song Billong 77), Fabregas, Silva, Hleb (Adebayor 73), Van Persie (Walcott 73), Henry. Subs Not Used: Almunia, Clichy. Goals: Henry 1, Hleb 39, Van Persie 50, Henry 70 pen. Att: 24,004. Ref: A Wiley (Staffordshire).

Reading eyeing QPR's Rowlands
Reading are eyeing QPR midfielder Martin Rowlands. The News of the World says Royals boss Steve Coppell rates the 27 year-old highly and could move the dynamic midfielder in January.

Liverpool v Reading
Liverpool will be without Craig Bellamy (ankle), Fabio Aurelio (groin) and Mark Gonzalez, and Steven Gerrard, Sami Hyypia and Xabi Alonso will be rested. Robbie Fowler (back injury) returns and Danny Guthrie, Lee Peltier, Jamie Smith and David Martin are all included. Reading welcome back Sam Sodje after knee surgery but Bobby Convey and Graeme Murty are out. James Henry, Alex Pearce, Curtis Osano, Pierre Joseph-Dubois and Jonathan Hayes are all in the squad. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Liverpool (from): Reina, Peltier, Carragher, Agger, Palleta, Smith, Riise, Luis Garcia, Sissoko, Pennant, Guthrie, Fowler, Crouch, Kuyt, Warnock, Zenden, Martin, Finnan. Reading (from): Stack, De la Cruz, Halls, Gunnarsson, Bikey, Sodje, Oster, Little, Hunt, Long, Lita, Henry, Joseph-Dubois, Pearce, Hayes, Osano, Ingimarsson, Sonko, Doyle.

Liverpool 4-3 Reading
Liverpool survived a late Reading rally to secure their place in the fourth round of the Carling Cup. On the stroke of half-time Robbie Fowler dinked over Graham Stack and John Arne Riise's left-foot shot put Liverpool firmly in control. Gabriel Paletta got his first goal for Liverpool just after the break before Andre Bikey pulled one back. Peter Crouch appeared to seal the win at 4-1 but Leroy Lita and Shane Long made it a thrilling finish at Anfield.

Portsmouth v Reading
Portsmouth will give late fitness checks to five of their players. Boss Harry Redknapp hopes that Linvoy Primus, Dejan Stefanovic, David Thompson, Kanu and Glen Johnson will all be available. Reading have no fresh injury worries for the trip to Fratton Park and have winger Bobby Convey available again after a knee problem. Graeme Murty remains sidelined by a hamstring injury and Dave Kitson (knee) is still not match fit. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Portsmouth (from): James, Johnson, Primus, Campbell, Taylor, Stefanovic, O'Neil, Mendes, Fernandes, Kranjcar, Benjani, Kanu, Davis, LuaLua, Cole, O'Brien, Thompson, Pamarot, Hughes, Douala, Kiely. Reading (from): Hahnemann, Federici, Halls, de la Cruz, Gunnarsson, Bikey, Sodje, Ingimarsson, Sonko, Shorey, Seol, Little, Sidwell, Harper, Oster, Convey, Hunt, Doyle, Long, Lita. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp: \"I said from day one that Reading would stay up. \"They are solid, they have terrific strength and a great team-ethic. \"Even with practically a reserve team they ran Liverpool close at Anfield in the Carling Cup the other night and they have a fine manager in Steve Coppell.\" Reading boss Steve Coppell: \"They've got a terrific blend of players, and if you're up near the top of the league after nine games it's no accident. \"We're fully appreciative of the qualities of their squad, with a good mix of proven talent and emerging talent. \"But we showed in our last game when we went 3-0 down, that we could fight back and keep battling away.\"

Portsmouth 3-1 Reading
Portsmouth bounced back from their midweek Carling Cup defeat with an easy victory over Reading at Fratton Park. Nwankwo Kanu and Pedro Mendes were magnificent throughout and both deservedly grabbed second half goals. It was Reading's fourth consecutive loss, with their nervy defence having conceded 12 goals in those four games. A first-half own goal by Brynjar Gunnarsson set Pompey on their way, with Kevin Doyle stabbing in a consolation with six minutes remaining. After losing 3-0 to Newcastle on Wednesday Portsmouth were in dominant form with Kanu running the Reading defence ragged. After missing a header on eight minutes, the Nigerian's persistence after a Mendes corner was rewarded with Icelander Gunnarsson bundling into his own net from two yards. Pompey missed several good chances in the first half, with Benjani Mwaruwari guilty of missing the ball completely on the six yard line. The Reading defenders looked uncomfortable all afternoon and Kanu doubled the lead on 52 minutes after a clever volleyed pass from Sol Campbell. Mendes was at the heart of everything in the second half and it was no surprise as he drove home a stunning goal on 66 minutes. Reading finally woke up in the final 10 minutes with Doyle sliding the ball in after a goalmouth scramble following a wild flap from David James.

Liverpool v Reading
After finally fielding the same team for the first time in 100 games, injuries to Luis Garcia and Xabi Alonso will force Liverpool into changes. Craig Bellamy remains a doubt and Jermaine Pennant is set to start. Reading midfielder Stephen Hunt is back in contention after sitting out the game at Portsmouth, but skipper Graeme Murty is unlikely to make his comeback. The defender stays on the sidelines along with Dave Kitson, John Halls, Peter Mate, Simon Cox and Aaron Brown. Liverpool (from): Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Agger, Riise, Aurelio, Pennant, Sissoko, Gerrard, Fowler, Crouch, Kuyt, Martin, Bellamy, Garcia, Alonso, Zenden, Warnock, Paletta. Reading (from): Hahnemann, Gunnarsson, Ingimarsson, Sonko, Shorey, Little, Sidwell, Harper, Convey, Doyle, Seol, Lita, Long, de la Cruz, Bikey, Oster, Hunt, Federici. # # Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez: \"Reading are a good team, they have a good manager. \"I've seen games before we played them in the Carling Cup and they know what to do. I was impressed with their team. \"People think that maybe it is an easy game against Reading. We need to be careful because it can be a difficult game, but we have confidence.\" # Reading keeper Marcus Hahnemann on playing at Anfield: \"No disrespect to other teams but it is better than going to Swansea, Southend or Burnley. \"We are going to Anfield. This is every kid's dream and we are still living the dream every day. \"One of the strongest memories I have of growing up was of John Barnes, Ian Rush and Bruce Grobbelaar playing for Liverpool against Everton. \"That's the stuff you remember and to have the chance to play in the huge stadium of Anfield is phenomenal.\"

Reading v Tottenham
Reading expect to welcome back captain Graeme Murty after the right-back missed the last four games with a hamstring problem. Winger Bobby Convey (knee) is out along with long-term absentees Dave Kitson, Peter Mate, Aaron Brown and Simon Cox. Tottenham defender Pascal Chimbonda and striker Mido are unlikely to play because of knee injuries. Teemu Tainio, Calum Davenport, Anthony Gardner and Paul Stalteri miss out but Steed Malbranque should be fit. Reading (from): Hahnemann, Murty, Sonko, Ingimarsson, Shorey, Little, Seol, Sidwell, Harper, Hunt, Doyle, Long, Lita, Gunnarsson, de la Cruz, Bikey, Oster, Federici. Tottenham (from): Robinson, Cerny, Dawson, Lee, King, Assou, Ekotto, Davids, Jenas, Lennon, Huddlestone, Ziegler, Murphy, Defoe, Keane, Berbatov, Zokora, Ghaly, Dervite, Malbranque. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Reading manager Steve Coppell: \\"I can say I'm confident our losing run will come to an end but I'm not. \\"There are an awful lot of ifs - if we play well, if we do our jobs, if we don't relax at any time, if we take inspiration from the crowd. \\"We are not falsely positive. We are realistic - we have been playing good teams and we're playing one on Sunday.\\" Tottenham boss Martin Jol on centre-half Michael Dawson: \\"I don't think there are a lot of players like him. He is honest and he's good for other players. \\"He is a great person, he wants to win, so I think he's a role model. As a young player, that is unbelievable. \\"He's so fit for a big lad and he's enjoying himself and that's probably an advantage. He's very important for us and he's a very good character.\\"

New deals for Royals' Iceland duo
Reading's Iceland duo Brynjar Gunnarsson and Ivar Ingimarsson have both signed contract extensions. The new deal for Gunnarsson, 31, ties him to Reading until the summer of 2008, while Ingimarsson, 29, has signed until the following year. Both were key members of Reading's Championship winning side and have been regulars this term in the Premiership. Director of football Nick Hammond said: \"They're both consummate professionals and we're delighted they've signed.\" Gunnarsson joined Reading on a free transfer from Watford in July 2005, having previously played for Stoke and Nottingham Forest. Reading signed Ingimarsson from Brighton in October 2003 for £100,000. His previous English clubs included Wolves, Brentford and Torquay. Ingimarsson said: \"The contract is recognition from the club that they have belief in me and think I can perform well in the Premiership, so I am very thankful for that.\" Gunnarsson added: \"I'm pleased to have been given this contract extension and I'm looking forward to the next year and a half.\"

Reading duo receive death threats
Police are investigating death threats made to the Reading players involved in incidents in which Chelsea keepers Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini were injured. Ibrahima Sonko and Stephen Hunt have received a series of letters at the club's Arborfield training ground. Thames Valley Police told SSB: \"The club is helping us with inquiries and the matter is being investigated.\" A Chelsea spokesman added: \"There is nothing to suggest these threats came from genuine Chelsea fans.\" According to the Reading Chronicle newspaper, one letter said: \"We are going to kill you for what you did to our players.\" Reading players treated the first letter as a joke and pinned it up on the door of the training ground dressing-room. But when subsequent letters arrived, players were told to treat the threats seriously and the club called in the police to investigate. Cech is not expected to play again this season after sustaining a fractured skull in a first-minute collision with Hunt in the game at the Madejski stadium on 14 October. Cudicini needed oxygen after being stretchered off in a last-minute collision with Sonko, and only recently returned to action. Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho hit out at Hunt's challenge, but neither Hunt nor Sonko faced any sanction from the Football Association. Winger Hunt, on international duty with the Republic of Ireland, said: \"The club is dealing with all my letters and I don't want to say any more.\" Sonko confirmed he had received a letter but made no further comment. Chelsea's spokesman added: \"Naturally, we condemn any threats of this nature and we will assist the police fully if - and we stress if - there is any evidence linking theses threats to any of our supporters.\" Reading boss Steve Coppell played down the death threats. \"We wanted to keep it quiet, and didn't make an issue of it. We went through the proper channels and hoped it would die a death. To regurgitate it now is of no benefit to anybody. \"I don't think it's for public consumption. It's something different for the media to report but it serves no purpose to anybody else.\"

Kitson injury setback for Reading
Reading striker Dave Kitson could be out for a further four to six weeks after picking up a hamstring injury. Kitson has not played since injuring his knee against Middlesbrough at the start of the season, but was nearing a first-team return. \"'Kits over-stretched in training on Friday and has pulled the hamstring in his other leg,\" physio Jon Fearn told the club website. \"He was two weeks from fitness, now it will be around four to six weeks.\"

Newcastle 3-2 Reading
Emre's sensational 20-yard strike gave struggling Newcastle a crucial win at the expense of Reading. Newcastle took the lead when Antoine Sibierski headed in Nolberto Solano's cross, before Reading equalised thanks to James Harper's low 18-yard drive. Harper scored his second from the edge of the area after Shay Given parried Glen Little's fierce effort. Obafemi Martins levelled from the spot after Ibrahima Sonko's foul on him before Emre's stunner raised the roof. First blood of the match went to Newcastle, thanks to quick thinking from Solano and Sibierski's ability to time his movement inside the area. The Peruvian curled in a peach of a ball from the right which found the French striker who stretched his bald head forward to nod the ball past Reading's Hahnemann. Up until then the Magpies produced the best chances, with Obafemi Martins and Sibierski seeing their headed efforts saved by the Royals keeper and James Milner scooping over from 12 yards. It seemed like Newcastle were in complete control, but that was far from the case. Manager Steve Coppell has moulded Reading into resilient Premiership outfit having already proved their credentials in the Championship last season. He was forced into making an early change, when Stephen Hunt was replaced by ex-Burnley winger Glen Little. But the substitution had a positive effect on the visitors. With Newcastle trying to work out how to defend against Little, they left Oster space on the left. The former Everton player laid the ball to Harper who chanced his arm by firing in a low shot that, luckily for him, took a wicked deflection off Solano and past Given. It was his first Premiership strike and a deserved one for his hard work on the night. Newcastle's confidence dropped faster than a coconut falling from a tree, with Celestine Babayaro the chief culprit for gifting Reading their second. The Nigerian defender, who was abysmal, air kicked the ball inside his own area. Little seized on the ball and fired in a shot that only Given could parry. The loose ball arrived at the feet of Harper on the edge of the area, who coolly picked his spot to his side's obvious delight. The Reading pressure continued straight after the restart, with Steve Sidwell trying his luck from 40 yards out with a lob that sailed fractionally over Given's crossbar. Newcastle looked at sixes and sevens until a questionable decision turned the tide against Reading. Martins was played into the area but was adjudged to have been brough down by Sonko's outstretched boot. Referee Rob Styles pointed to the spot despite his assistant opting to keep his flag lowered. The Reading protests did not bother Martins, who picked himself up to fire low into Hahnemann's bottom left. It lifted Newcastle's spirits and in particular Turkey midfielder Emre, who strode forward in the dying minutes and launched an unstoppable shot over the reach of Hahnemann and into the Reading net.

Watford v Reading
Watford will be without captain Gavin Mahon as their influential midfielder must serve a one-match ban for picking up five bookings this season. But veteran defender Chris Powell is available after returning from a ban. Reading skipper Graeme Murty and winger Seol Ki-Hyeon face late fitness tests on toe injuries. Stephen Hunt (hamstring) and Kevin Doyle (thigh) have been passed fit to play but the Royals are still without Bobby Convey and Dave Kitson. Watford (from): Lee, Chamberlain, Chambers, Shittu, DeMerit, Powell, Doyley, Stewart, Mariappa, Mackay, Smith, Spring, Francis, Bouazza, McNamee, Bangura, Jarrett, Henderson, Young, Priskin. Reading (from): Hahnemann, Murty, Gunnarsson, Bikey, de la Cruz, Sonko, Ingimarsson, Shorey, Little, Sidwell, Harper, Hunt, Oster, Seol, Doyle, Lita, Long, Federici. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Watford boss Aidy Boothroyd: \"I think Monday's draw away at Manchester City may prove to be a turning point. \"That point will only prove to be a good one if we follow it up with a win and then put together a good run. \"Steve Coppell has done a terrific job there and they will come to Vicarage Road in good form.\" Reading manager Steve Coppell on injury problems: \"If you are unfortunate with injuries the transfer window means you can't do anything about it. \"If you do get a run of injuries in one position then you can be struggling. \"We are still vulnerable to that but we have a lot of flexible players and that gives us a cushion. If it is enough of a cushion only time will tell.\"

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