Reading FC

Reading FC goalkeeper Adam Federici had three goals scored against him by Shola Ameobi
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Newcastle Utd 3 Reading FC 0

By Jonny Fordham
August 15, 2009

Reading were condemned to their first Championship defeat of the season thanks to a hat-trick from 27-year-old Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi.

The Nigerian-born Englishman sunk the Royals with two headed goals in the 36th and 68th minute and a 75th minute penalty after Shane Long handballed in the box.

The Magpies were lucky to have Alan Smith on the pitch when Ameobi rose up between captain Alex Pearce and on-loan Chelsea left-back Ryan Bertrand for his first to head the ball past Adam Federici.

The former Manchester United midfielder could have been sent-off after he was booked for a foul on Simon Church in the 20th minute and then scythed down Jem Karacan just two minutes later.

Reading had their own chances with 22-year-old Long going close in the 25th minute after Church slipped him through, but it was another frustrating day for Royals in front of goal.

Ameobi grabbed his second after right-back Ryan Taylor picked him out with an inch perfect cross in the 68th minute at the back post.

Republic of Ireland striker Long was penalised after he handled the ball inside the box in the 75th minute, allowing Ameobi to claim an easy third from the penalty spot as the fallen Premier League giants recorded their first win of the season.

Royals’ manager Brendan Rodgers made one change to the team that drew 0-0 with Nottingham Forest on the first day of the season at Madejski Stadium with Long coming in at the expense of winger Hal Robson-Kanu and Church playing wide right.

Despite the ongoing turmoil at Newcastle off the pitch, Chris Hughton’s side put in a dominant display against Reading who were well-beaten in the North East by the top-flight experience of Kevin Nolan, Joey Barton, Steven Taylor and Smith.

Rodgers threw on Wolves transfer target James Harper, Noel Hunt and Robson-Kanu in the second half, but Reading couldn’t find a way through to put Steve Harper’s goal in any real danger.

Without a goal or a win to show for this season Rodgers will have just two days to prepare his side before taking them to Swansea on Tuesday night.

Reading will be glad to get the trip to Newcastle out of the way early on and will now looking to make amends at Liberty Stadium next week after they were turned-over there last season.

Reading: Federici, Rosenior, Pearce (c), Cisse, Bertrand, Karacan, Davies, Tabb (Harper, 65), Kebe (Hunt, 65), Church (Robson-Kanu, 53), Long.

Newcastle: Harper, Enrique, S.Taylor, Coloccini, R.Taylor, Barton (Lua Lua, 82), Nolan, Gutierrez, Smith (c) (Geremi, 78), Ameobi (Xisco, 77), Carroll.

Referee: Anthony Taylor

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It was too much to ask the new young players to take on Newcastle on their own. BR should include Gunnarson, Armstrong and perhaps Harper to provide maturity and support to the yongsters. I hope Ivar Ingmarsson is fit to play asap. Definitely need another experienced striker, and return to 4-4-2. The lone striker pattern is not working. It will take time to mould a new team. Alex Pearce is a good young captain on the field and should be complimented. Mogs.

Mogs, Goring
18/08/2009 at 12:27

BR should include one or two of the older players in the team. Gunnarson would have helped the young players as it was tough to expect the youngsters to shoulder the load. Hope Ivan Ingmarsson can return asap.

Maureen Lewis
18/08/2009 at 11:48

The first half hour we played really well then gradually Newcastle got into the game and took control after the first goal. Newcastle have one of the strongest midfields in this league and have extremely streetwise players so it should be of no surprise the youngsters struggled to compete once we went 1-0 down.

From my view 1/4 mile away from the pitch in the away end Smith definitely should have been sent off and had the ref not bottled it it could have been a different game.

It appears to me that the central defenders are not allowed to go and chase down a ball in the corner when no other player is within 20 yards of it - what was Pearce doing for Newcastle's second goal? As it disappeared of towards the corner flag he turned his back on it and looked set to line up for a corner!

Personally I think Matejovsky needs to start simple fact. Don't change the team too much just yet.

RYF, Royal County of Berkshire
17/08/2009 at 15:42

Newcastle is a very hard place to go and even though we were taught a footballing lesson We are only 2 games in and everybody seems to be pushing the panic button. Lets see where we are at Xmas i personally believe we need to abandon the 4 5 1 or 4 3 3 what ever you call it as we don't have the players to play that way get back to 4 4 2 get the ball wide and crosses into the box under coppell we never kept the ball and went forward to long and quick and under rogers the totally opposite neat and tidy easy on the eye but not far enough up the pitch to do the damage... if only we could play in between the 2!!!

FRED BAINES
17/08/2009 at 12:15

William Hill were offering 25/1 for us to go down before the season started. I really wish I took it. I see Hunt scored at Chelsea. Here is an idea, let's offer Hull 3m for him and perhaps he might score one for us as no one else seems to be able to.

NIK
17/08/2009 at 11:51

I think the best thing for us to do is ignore Emmer Green Hornet, Reading comments as they are just being made to get a reaction out of us. But one thing I will say Emmer Green Hornet, you are spot above us in the table, with the same number of points, Watford are not much better than Reading at this moment in time!!!! This is only game number 2 of the season, plenty more games to play, look what happend in season 2005/2006!!

Royals Fan, Reading
17/08/2009 at 10:05

Seen both Championship games and am concerned. At the end of last season, we had a problem scoring goals so this season we play a lone striker with support players who can't/won't support the striker. We pack the side with young inexperienced players at the expense of players like Harps, Marek, Brynjar and Armstrong. Look what happened to Southampton when they did the same thing last season. Finally, we play a passing game, often in our own half using short square and backward passes and give the opposition time to get behind the ball. It's gong o be a long season Exiled in Scotland

Exiled in Scotland, Central Scotland
17/08/2009 at 08:41

emmer green hornet boy, get a life and stop worrying so much about Reading. Clearly shows how bitter you are to lose Bredan. performance was poor on saturday, but would last years team have done any better by playing their long ball tactics. give the manager some time. He's not going to be able to change us over night. its not been a great start, but i cant see many teams beating Newcastle at St james park. Bredan clearly needs to spend but it takes time to get the right type of players.

aa 8, reading
16/08/2009 at 21:20

Hate to say this but... I TOLD YOU SO!!!!!! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOVE IT!!!!!!!!

Emmer Green Hornet, Reading
16/08/2009 at 18:47

Plenty of gloom merchants on here after one bad day at the office. Newcastle played well on the day, fair play to them. For pete's sake Rodgers isn't going to transform us into an all conquering side overnight. Give the man and the team some time before you start doom-mongering. I agree we need a new striker and winger, but will reserve judgement until after the transfer window has shut and we've got a few more games under our belt.

After just two games only one team has a 100% record in the division. Who'd have bet that team would be Coventry. Can't see them winning the league though. As I said it's EARLY DAYS. No need to panic yet and do a Norwich.

Biffa, Didcot
16/08/2009 at 16:19

well thats it for us i am afraid. these tactics work if you spend big on a drogba or an anelka and people who can cross a ball, same tactics as coppell finished last season with - you dont score goals without putting bodies in the box and you wont score goals in this division by keeping possesion in your own half. something to ponder mr. rodgers and hopefully mr.madjeski sooner rather than later, where is james henry? a quality winger and why do these managers rate alex pearce again showed us he aint ready and worth a goal a game to the opponents, federici dont catch crosses and both full backs were woeful, rarely did scott davies get anywhere near the ball as i would have suspected, cisse looked out of his depth against ameobi,but gem was fantastic in midfieldwell done gem the only light on a really dark day. oh yeah, did i mention the the manager got his tactics and personel totally wrong, plonker!!!

ajr111, swindon
16/08/2009 at 10:19

This is a young team so give them a chance. We were all singing their praises after the Forest game and everyone I knew was upbeat. One defeat doesn't mean it's going to be a poor season. Look at our 106 year losing the first home game to Plymouth. I am sure everyone was saying the same then. Chin up everyone and give some support to the team. We WILL beat Swansea and this will all be forgotten.

But please Brendan buy a striker and a good winger. Preferably by the weekend.

Gav Meister, Tilehurst
16/08/2009 at 09:32

Brendan, reality strikes. You took the job - with a Chairman who no longer wishes to invest in football, a Director of Football who has subserviently hawked around the summer sales anyone of substance so you’re left with Harper, Rosenior, Tabb, Matejovsky and Kebe, all last season losers, and a group of youngsters who have potential but most with little experience of the bigtime. I shall be there to watch what you can make of it, but I fear many ‘more recent’ supporters won’t. The Chairman will be moaning about falling attendances, and his loyal band of supporters will be saying we don’t deserve him. A few signings this week is essential before the youngsters fret and we really are in trouble. Best Wishes.

Bingley, Woodley
16/08/2009 at 09:08

well well well 2 games gone no goals and 1 point to show so far ,it wont get any easier ,if the yougsters loose any confidence they have left , we will become the whipping boys of the division ,does leauge 1 beckon us lets remember thats the old div3 .i for one have tasted the cream of the premiership and dont like the milk of the lower divisions .if READING have any desires to get back in the premiership some wise investment needs to be made ,not free transfers or loan players lack of investment cost us our place in the top flight ,a very bitter pill to swallow .i only hope this situation is only temporary but i do have my fears john