Reading FC

Reading FC manager Brian McDermott praised match-winner Jimmy Kebe ‘phenomenal’ aerial prowess after he scored twice to down Sunderland
advertisement

McDermott hails Kebe's aerial threat after Sunderland win

By Jonny Fordham
February 02, 2013

Reading manager Brian McDermott praised match-winner Jimmy Kebe ‘phenomenal’ aerial prowess after he scored twice to down Sunderland.

Kebe ensured Royals’ 2-1 victory with a goal in each half against Martin O’Neill’s Black Cats.

The winger opened the scoring in the seventh minute before Craig Gardner notched from the spot on the half-hour mark.

But Kebe was at the far post to head home the winner in the 87th minute and put McDermott’s men two points safe from the relegation zone.

"I thought we played some good stuff against a really good side,” said McDermott.

"They didn't do too much and there wasn't much in the game. Ian Harte's set plays were terrific, but we've been saying that for 20 odd years.

“Jimmy Kebe is becoming phenomenal in the air too and we had a laugh about that before the game in the dressing room.

“The first goal was fabulous and it was great for me to give Nick Blackman his debut too.

"It's very difficult picking a team and Adam Le Fondre is the best example of that - he's a real team man, they all are.

“I had to learn about this league too, I did that quickly and so did the players. It's been a steep learning curve for all of us."

Sunderland boss Martin O’Neill, thought differently, though.

He felt that his side were on top for large parts of the game at Madejski Stadium.

And he added: "I'm disappointed to concede so late off the back of some really good chances. I didn't think that we were going to lose.

"The goalkeeper (Adam Federici) made a really great save from Danny Graham and he got an excellent reception from the travelling fans.

"He will get his chance, there is still a third of the season left.

"Reading started better than us, but in the second-half I thought we looked in reasonable control.

"We had some decent chances to score and had we done so it might have been a long way back for Reading.

"They score a lot of late goals and have really picked up in the last few weeks."

| Submit Comments | View Comments (9)

« Previous Story | Next Story »

Most recent user comments 9 of 9

For me Kelly is a great signing and has sorted that spot! Shame did not get him instead of Gunter in the summer! Would any one take Gunter of us? Also Kebe's celebration after his 2nd was awesome to see!

Reading1987
05/02/2013 at 15:59

Akpan could turn out to be the signing of the season in the Premier League if he can put in performances like that every game. He looks so good on the ball, can pick out the passes and works so hard.

The whole team put in good performances and Ledge looks as if he is playing himself back into form. The starting line-up had a real good balance and the introduction of LeFondre gave us a bit more momentum when we needed it.

Royals1871
04/02/2013 at 12:35

Agree concerning the way we started the match. Much stronger in midfield; glad to see Lord Akpan of Childwall in the starting line up alongside Ledge. Mariappa's best game, Fed's excellent and good performance from The Pog (I'll forgive the tackle on O'Shea).

I'm not sure the Kebster received the praise he desrved for the first goal, after excellent work from GMc and Jobi. JK made it appear considerably easier than it was.

We should thank Titus Bramble for conceeding the foul on NB in such a dangerous area (is there a clumsier defender in the League?).

We're still in a perilous position, but you've got to just enjoy a decent run of results.

Michael Duberry's Defensive Coach
04/02/2013 at 10:44

The first 30 minutes was probably the best Reading have played this season. The penalty we gave away was stupid and changed the game. Fully agree that Feds kept us in the game and is back. Kebe does a lot more defensive work than we give him credit for and I think the whole Newcastle Twitter thing shows that he cares a lot about Reading.

Smiffy, Reading
04/02/2013 at 09:15

Thought Feds was excellent again. Legs and McAnuff also had good games, and Akpan is looking very promising indeed. In our part of the North Stand there was general agreement that this was a really good team performance. Also, thanks Fellaini for scoring two to peg back the Villa, and being part of my FF team!

Uncle Buck, Reading
03/02/2013 at 13:09

Budda. I thought he's been back for a while. He was made a scapegoat for the first few games. Your right about kebe tho. Everyone I talk too is a different reaction. But who cares, the royals are living the dream and they are doing betther than Swindon and o*ford!!!! Cmon urz

Urz Urz
03/02/2013 at 00:19

Kebe is like Marmite, you either love him or hate him. He did the odd darting run but to be honest didn't look like he wanted to be on the pitch.

But he scored 2 x great goals so who cares, right?

BTW, man of the match should have been Fedders, he had 3 brilliant saves today, hes BACK, big time!