Reading FC

Man of the Match with a perfect 10 - Brynjar Gunnarsson
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Reading v Liverpool - player ratings

By Matthew Sadler
January 15, 2010

Matthew Sadler gives his player ratings for the FA Cup match against mighty Liverpool

Adam Federici - 8 - Had no chance with the own goal that cruelly deflected past him. Made one great save to deny Yossi Benayoun in extra time.

Brynjar Gunnarsson - 10 - Andy Griffin could find it hard to displace the Iceland international after this display. Great cross for the winner.

Matt Mills - 9 - Started off a little nervously, but grew in stature as the game wore on. Has cemented his place in Brian McDermott’s starting XI.

Ivar Ingimarsson - 9 - Dominant display from Royals’ captain. Won everything in the air and on the ground, as well as marshalling the back line.

Ryan Bertrand - 8 - Unfortunate with the deflection for the own goal, but his head didn’t drop and more than played his part in keeping Liverpool quiet.

Kalifa Cisse - 8 - Was a physical force in the centre of the pitch and cut out numerous attacks. Did his job of stopping the hosts very well.

Jem Karacan - 8 - Booked after only three minutes which meant he had to curb his natural enthusiasm, but he still made his presence felt.

Jobi McAnuff - 8 - So close to scoring one of the great goals at Anfield, but shot wide. Delivered a perfect cross that Church failed to convert.

Gylfi Sigurdsson - 8 - The coolest man inside Anfield and made no mistake from the spot. Whipped in a number of dangerous set-pieces.

Simon Church - 8 - Full of running and epitomised Reading’s performance. Movement and desire is Premier League standard.

Grzegorz Rasiak - 7 - Somehow missed when it looked easier to score with game level at 0-0, but still proved a decent focal point of Royals’ attack.

Substitutes

Brian Howard - 8 - Kept the ball well and did his best to link the midfield to Church when Rasiak went off.

Jimmy Kebe - 8 - Added more impetus to the attack, but took too long on the ball when Royals had a four-on-one break that would have sealed it.

Shane Long - 9 - What an impact from the Ireland international. Without a goal all season he wins Royals a last-gasp penalty and then coolly heads home a deserved winner.

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agree pretty much with these scores, probably should have a couple more nines.

don't agree with longy starting to many games though, only seems dangerous when the two starting strikers have already run the defenders ragged and he is still fresh. would like to see thorvaldsson start tomorrow, if only cos he is an unknown quantity to the opposition

ajr111, swindon
15/01/2010 at 23:43

Agree totally with your man of the match, and have no intention to 'knock' this great win by arguing about your rating of anyone else, BUT feel the partnership of Jem and Brynjar in the middle of the field would be even better, now we have a new right back; and Shane deserves a start for each game to see if it is one of his good days!! He has the pace to play wide as well.