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Saturday, August 18, 2012
 Full Time
Reading
1
 
1
Stoke City
 0-1M. Kightly  34'
A. Le Fondre  (Pen)  90' 1-1 
HT: 0-1
Madejski Stadium (Attendance: 23,973)
Referee: Kevin Friend
Stats  |  Match Report
CommentaryLineupsStatistics Events Shotchart
Reading vs. Stoke City
Minute Commentary
90' POINTS SHARED AT READING
Adam Le Fondre's late penalty earned Reading a share of the spoils on the Royals' return to Premier League action against Stoke. A horrible deflection and a slightly weak piece of goalkeeping saw Stoke take the lead through Michael Kightly, but the Potters failed to build on their advantage. Both teams struggled for fluency in a game that will not live long in the memory, but a late penalty decision and the dismissal of Dean Whitehead gave Reading the chance to claim a point that they just about deserved. At the Madejski Stadium it finished Reading 1, Stoke City 1.
90' FULL-TIME
It's all over and honours even at the Madejski.
89' GOOOAAALLL!!!
Adam Le Fondre wheels away in celebration after tucking the ball under Asmir Begovic. It's 1-1!
88' PENALTY AND SENDING OFF
Dean Whitehead makes a real hash of a challenge in the box and is sent for an early bath by the referee. It's a penalty to Reading and a late chance for them to pick up the equaliser that their efforts deserve.
86' TIME RUNNING OUT
Reading are pushing for an equaliser that they probably deserve on balance, but the clock is ticking and they are still yet to really test Asmir Begovic in the Stoke goal.
82' SOME SPARK FOR READING
Substitute Noel Hunt has made quite an impact since coming on, adding some directness to a toothless Reading attack. Dragged down out wide, he wins his side a free-kick, but again it is easily dealt with by the Stoke defence.
79' CLASSIC STOKE PERFORMANCE
Peter Crouch picks the ball up, turns into space and flicks it out to the wide man, who in turn passes back to his full-back... and the move is repeated. The Potters have controlled this game despite having created virtually nothing, and Tony Pulis will be delighted with such a strong start to the season.
75' KIGHTLY GOES OFF
Stoke goalscorer Michael Kightly receives a standing ovation from the travelling fans as he is replaced by Cameron Jerome.
69' SO FRUSTRATING FOR READING
It was always going to be a tough first game for Reading, but having conceded that scrappy goal they've been able to do absolutely nothing going forward, and you can sense the frustration around the ground. It's not through lack of effort, but that just hasn't been enough.
64' NO PENALTY!
Big Pav is sandwiched between two Stoke defenders in the box and goes to ground, but the referee waves the appeals away… much to the disgust of the Russian centre-forward.
60' STAT ATTACK
Stoke failed to win any of their final nine away matches in the league last season, so to pick up three points on the road on the opening day will mean a lot to Tony Pulis. (Thanks to @STATS_Football for that stat).
56' TIME FOR A CHANGE?
McDermott will no doubt be thinking about making some changes soon, because it's all a little flat for the Royals on their Premier League return.
52' SAME OLD IN THE SECOND HALF
It's more of the same in Berkshire, with Reading struggling to get any control in midfield and Stoke happy to protect their lead without taking any risks.
47' PENALTY SHOUTS
As a Reading player goes to ground in the area there are furious appeals for a penalty, but the ref is having none of it and waves play on.
46' SECOND HALF
The second half is underway at the Madejski, with both teams unchanged from the first 45.
45' HALF-TIME
Adam Federici leaves the field looking rueful after allowing Michael Kightly's shot to sneak past him at the near post in the moment that may define the outcome of this match. Neither team have really done anything exciting going forward, and at this rate the game is destined for the middle pages of Sunday's sporting supplements.
44' VERY LITTLE ACTION OF NOTE
It's been a hugely uneventful game since the Stoke goal, and the three minutes of added time can be explained by a string of fouls and stoppages.
41' SUPPORT STILL COMING FROM THE STANDS
The Reading fans are well-known for their passionate and realistic support, and it's little surprise that they are still singing their hearts out despite little to encourage them on the pitch.
38' CONCERN FOR MCDERMOTT
Reading are trying their best, but Stoke are masters in the art of muscling teams out of matches, and that is exactly what looks to be happening. Unable to get any control in the centre of the park, the Royals just cannot do anything of note going forward.
36' APPEALS WAVED AWAY
Jonathan Walters goes down in the box and appeals strongly for a penalty, but there was nothing in that and the referee rightly allows play to continue.
34' MORE ON THAT GOAL!
It's a horrible goal for Reading to concede. A harmless cross into the area was knocked back by Jonathan Walters, but the follow-up shot by Kightly took a wicked deflection before sneaking under the body of Adam Federici at the near post. Stoke lead, but it's a goal of fitting quality to sum up a disappointing game so far. 1-0.
33' GOOOAAALLL!!!
Michael Kightly opens the scoring at the Madejski. 1-0 Stoke!
28' A LITTLE HEATED ON THE BENCH
The two managers are starting to get frustrated by the lack of control their teams have on this game, and dressed in their club tracksuits it's all getting a little hot and flustered down on the touchline.
22' LITTLE TO WORK WITH
You'd hardly know that Peter Crouch was on the pitch he's seen so little of the ball. His opposite centre-forward has seen a big more service, but big Pov hasn't managed to get a sniff of goal as of yet.
18' WAY OVER THE BAR!
It's the only real chance of the game so far, but Jonathan Walters wastes it, blazing over the bar from 20 yards. That pretty much sums up the game so far. Stoke will be disappointed to start the season like this, but it's encouraging for Reading – they are very much holding their own.
15' TRICKY TEMPERATURES
It's the hottest day of the year in the south of England, and you can see the conditions having an effect on the players. That early tempo has dipped considerably, yet there's still an alarming lack of quality in central areas as both teams try to grab control of the game.
12' NOT ONE FOR THE PURISTS
Reading are entertaining and full of attacking intent, but it's fair to say that they are a little route one at times. The same is certainly true of Stoke, and you get the impression that this game probably won't be the pick of the opening day.
6' PLENTY OF HEIGHT
A free-kick whipped into the Stoke box is aimed straight for the head of the towering Pavel Pogrebnyak, but Stoke are well equipped to deal with an aerial bombardment and manage to shepherd the cross away from the danger area. The big Russian really is an intimidating presence, and you can imagine him causing plenty of problems for some of the less physical teams this season.
2' FAST AND FURIOUS
The tempo in the opening moments have been absurd, with neither team able to maintain any level of quality at this kind of pace. Somebody needs to get their foot on the ball and start controlling things for one of these teams.
0' KICK-OFF
The Premier League season is underway at the Madejski, with the ground bathed in bright sunshine.
0' TEAM NEWS
Pavel Pogrebnyak leads the line for the Royals on their Premier League return. For Stoke it's all very familiar, with Jonathan Walters partnering Peter Crouch up top and Michael Kightly given the nod in central midfield.
0' STAY TUNED
It's going to be a big test for Reading on their return to the Premier League. Stay tuned for team news and live text commentary.
0' READING V STOKE
Reading have been tipped by many pundits to go straight back down, but if we've learnt anything about the Royals it is to expect the unexpected. With some strong business in the transfer window adding some quality to an already strong squad, Reading will be direct and entertaining… but will they be able to put the ball in the back of the net? For Stoke it has been a summer of consolidation after a rather disappointing league season last time out. Without the distraction of European football and still with a superb squad, it feels a bit like the tipping point for Stoke. Can they hold on to their established league status or will the slide begin?
0' THE PREMIER LEAGUE IS BACK!
It's just 14 weeks since that stunning conclusion to the last Premier League season. In that time we've seen a superb Euro 2012 and Bradley Wiggins lead Team Sky to Tour de France glory. There's also been a little bit of sport going on in London recently, but you may not have noticed. Despite all of that terrific summer sport and the inevitable comparisons with the English national game, the excitement is still there for the start of a fascinating new season… and we'll have live text commentary of every single game.
CommentaryLineupsStatistics Events Shotchart
Team Stats
Reading Stoke City
1 Goals 1
0 Assists 0
10 Shots 9
2 Shots on Goal 3
2 Saves 1
1 Penalties Scored 0
1 Penalty Kicks 0
25 Crosses 22
4 Corner Kicks 3
1 Offside 3
11 Fouls Committed 17
3 Cautions/Yellow Cards 5
0 Red Cards 1
45% Ball Possession 55%
Reading
No. Player MinP G YC RC GA Svs
1Adam Federici 90 - 0 0 1 2
2Chris Gunter 90 0 0 0 - -
5Alex Pearce 90 0 0 0 - -
7Pavel Pogrebnyak 77 0 1 0 - -
8Mikele Leigertwood 90 0 1 0 - -
9Adam Le Fondre 90 1 0 0 - -
11Jobi McAnuff 90 0 0 0 - -
17Kaspars Gorkss 90 0 1 0 - -
19Hal Robson-Kanu 67 0 0 0 - -
20Danny Guthrie 90 0 0 0 - -
23Ian Harte 90 0 0 0 - -
Substitutes
10Noel Hunt 13 0 0 0 - -
12Garath McCleary 23 0 0 0 - -

Stoke City
No. Player MinP G YC RC GA Svs
1Asmir Begovic 90 - 1 0 1 1
4Robert Huth 90 0 0 0 - -
6Glenn Whelan 85 0 0 0 - -
12Marc Wilson 90 0 0 0 - -
17Ryan Shawcross 90 0 1 0 - -
18Dean Whitehead 88 0 1 1 - -
19Jonathan Walters 90 0 0 0 - -
21Michael Kightly 75 1 0 0 - -
25Peter Crouch 90 0 0 0 - -
26Matthew Etherington 80 0 1 0 - -
28Andy Wilkinson 90 0 1 0 - -
Substitutes
24Rory Delap 10 0 0 0 - -
33Cameron Jerome 15 0 0 0 - -
40Wilson Palacios 5 0 0 0 - -
CommentaryLineupsStatisticsEventsShotchart
Reading vs. Stoke City
Minute Event
90' Game Over  Reading 1-1 Stoke City
90' Half Over  Reading 1-1 Stoke City
90' Throw-In  Rory Delap (Stoke City)
90' Free Kick  Ian Harte (Reading)
90' Foul  Harte fouled by Ryan Shawcross (Stoke City)
90' Goal Kick  Asmir Begovic (Stoke City)
90' Shot  Adam Le Fondre (Reading)
90' Goal Kick  Asmir Begovic (Stoke City)
90' Yellow Card  Asmir Begovic (Stoke City)
90' Shot  Ian Harte (Reading)
90' Free Kick  Ian Harte (Reading)
90' Yellow Card  Ryan Shawcross (Stoke City)
90' Foul  Guthrie fouled by Ryan Shawcross (Stoke City)
90' Penalty Goal  Adam Le Fondre (Reading)
90' Shot on Goal  Adam Le Fondre (Reading)
90' Free Kick  Adam Le Fondre (Reading)
88' Red Card  Dean Whitehead (Stoke City)
88' Foul  McCleary fouled by Dean Whitehead (Stoke City)
88' Throw-In  Rory Delap (Stoke City)
88' Yellow Card  Andy Wilkinson (Stoke City)
87' Throw-In  Ian Harte (Reading)
86' Foul  Shawcross fouled by Noel Hunt (Reading)
86' Goal Kick  Asmir Begovic (Stoke City)
85' Substitution  Wilson Palacios (on). Whelan (off). (Stoke City)
85' Cross  Garath McCleary (Reading)
83' Cross  Danny Guthrie (Reading)
83' Throw-In  Chris Gunter (Reading)
83' Cross  Garath McCleary (Reading)
83' Throw-In  Jobi McAnuff (Reading)
82' Shot  Kaspars Gorkss (Reading)
81' Foul  Walters fouled by Ian Harte (Reading)
80' Substitution  Rory Delap (on). Etherington (off). (Stoke City)
79' Corner Kick  Ian Harte (Reading)
79' Cross  Garath McCleary (Reading)
78' Corner Kick  Matthew Etherington (Stoke City)
78' Throw-In  Andy Wilkinson (Stoke City)
77' Yellow Card  Matthew Etherington (Stoke City)
77' Yellow Card  Pavel Pogrebnyak (Reading)
77' Shot  Cameron Jerome (Stoke City)
77' Throw-In  Andy Wilkinson (Stoke City)
77' Substitution  Noel Hunt (on). Pogrebnyak (off). (Reading)
76' Goal Kick  Asmir Begovic (Stoke City)
75' Substitution  Cameron Jerome (on). Kightly (off). (Stoke City)
74' Cross  Garath McCleary (Reading)
74' Cross  Michael Kightly (Stoke City)
72' Yellow Card  Mikele Leigertwood (Reading)
72' Foul  Whelan fouled by Mikele Leigertwood (Reading)
72' Throw-In  Chris Gunter (Reading)
71' Shot on Goal  Pavel Pogrebnyak (Reading)
71' Cross  Chris Gunter (Reading)
71' Corner Kick  Ian Harte (Reading)
70' Shot  Pavel Pogrebnyak (Reading)
70' Cross  Peter Crouch (Stoke City)
69' Throw-In  Marc Wilson (Stoke City)
69' Shot  Marc Wilson (Stoke City)
69' Corner Kick  Michael Kightly (Stoke City)
68' Cross  Jonathan Walters (Stoke City)
68' Throw-In  Ian Harte (Reading)
67' Cross  Ryan Shawcross (Stoke City)
67' Free Kick  Ryan Shawcross (Stoke City)
67' Substitution  Garath McCleary (on). Robson-Kanu (off). (Reading)
67' Foul  Wilkinson fouled by Hal Robson-Kanu (Reading)
66' Throw-In  Ian Harte (Reading)
65' Goal Kick  Asmir Begovic (Stoke City)
65' Shot  Adam Le Fondre (Reading)
65' Cross  Danny Guthrie (Reading)
65' Foul  McAnuff fouled by Marc Wilson (Stoke City)
64' Throw-In  Ian Harte (Reading)
63' Foul  Guthrie fouled by Matthew Etherington (Stoke City)
63' Cross  Jonathan Walters (Stoke City)
63' Throw-In  Andy Wilkinson (Stoke City)
62' Cross  Adam Le Fondre (Reading)
62' Throw-In  Jobi McAnuff (Reading)
61' Cross  Ian Harte (Reading)
61' Free Kick  Ian Harte (Reading)
60' Foul  Pogrebnyak fouled by Dean Whitehead (Stoke City)
60' Throw-In  Andy Wilkinson (Stoke City)
59' Throw-In  Chris Gunter (Reading)
58' Foul  Guthrie fouled by Ryan Shawcross (Stoke City)
58' Throw-In  Andy Wilkinson (Stoke City)
57' Cross  Ian Harte (Reading)
57' Free Kick  Ian Harte (Reading)
57' Foul  Le Fondre fouled by Robert Huth (Stoke City)
57' Goal Kick  Adam Federici (Reading)
57' Cross  Matthew Etherington (Stoke City)
56' Cross  Jonathan Walters (Stoke City)
56' Goal Kick  Adam Federici (Reading)
56' Cross  Marc Wilson (Stoke City)
56' Throw-In  Marc Wilson (Stoke City)
55' Corner Kick  Matthew Etherington (Stoke City)
55' Throw-In  Andy Wilkinson (Stoke City)
54' Throw-In  Andy Wilkinson (Stoke City)
54' Cross  Michael Kightly (Stoke City)
53' Throw-In  Chris Gunter (Reading)
53' Cross  Andy Wilkinson (Stoke City)
53' Cross  Ryan Shawcross (Stoke City)
53' Shot  Michael Kightly (Stoke City)
53' Cross  Marc Wilson (Stoke City)
52' Throw-In  Marc Wilson (Stoke City)
52' Cross  Matthew Etherington (Stoke City)
51' Foul  Huth fouled by Adam Le Fondre (Reading)
51' Throw-In  Jobi McAnuff (Reading)
51' Throw-In  Andy Wilkinson (Stoke City)
50' Throw-In  Jobi McAnuff (Reading)
50' Goal Kick  Asmir Begovic (Stoke City)
50' Cross  Adam Le Fondre (Reading)
49' Cross  Ian Harte (Reading)
49' Throw-In  Jobi McAnuff (Reading)
49' Throw-In  Chris Gunter (Reading)
48' Cross  Hal Robson-Kanu (Reading)
48' Cross  Andy Wilkinson (Stoke City)
47' Throw-In  Andy Wilkinson (Stoke City)
47' Cross  Andy Wilkinson (Stoke City)
47' Cross  Matthew Etherington (Stoke City)
46' Throw-In  Chris Gunter (Reading)
46' Start Half 
45' Half Over  Reading 0-1 Stoke City
45' Shot  Adam Le Fondre (Reading)
45' Cross  Danny Guthrie (Reading)
45' Throw-In  Jobi McAnuff (Reading)
45' Cross  Danny Guthrie (Reading)
45' Free Kick  Danny Guthrie (Reading)
45' Foul  Pogrebnyak fouled by Ryan Shawcross (Stoke City)
45' Cross  Matthew Etherington (Stoke City)
45' Free Kick  Matthew Etherington (Stoke City)
45' Yellow Card  Kaspars Gorkss (Reading)
45' Foul  Walters fouled by Kaspars Gorkss (Reading)
44' Throw-In  Ian Harte (Reading)
43' Foul  Wilkinson fouled by Chris Gunter (Reading)
42' Shot  Dean Whitehead (Stoke City)
42' Cross  Andy Wilkinson (Stoke City)
41' Foul  Huth fouled by Pavel Pogrebnyak (Reading)
41' Throw-In  Andy Wilkinson (Stoke City)
40' Cross  Kaspars Gorkss (Reading)
39' Offside  Matthew Etherington (Stoke City)
39' Goal Kick  Asmir Begovic (Stoke City)
38' Shot  Adam Le Fondre (Reading)
38' Throw-In  Andy Wilkinson (Stoke City)
37' Throw-In  Ian Harte (Reading)
37' Shot on Goal  Peter Crouch (Stoke City)
36' Offside  Pavel Pogrebnyak (Reading)
36' Offside  Jonathan Walters (Stoke City)
34' Goal  Michael Kightly (Stoke City)
34' Shot on Goal  Michael Kightly (Stoke City)
34' Cross  Glenn Whelan (Stoke City)
33' Shot on Goal  Jonathan Walters (Stoke City)
31' Shot  Jonathan Walters (Stoke City)
31' Cross  Michael Kightly (Stoke City)
31' Free Kick  Michael Kightly (Stoke City)
31' Foul  Wilkinson fouled by Ian Harte (Reading)
30' Throw-In  Andy Wilkinson (Stoke City)
29' Throw-In  Chris Gunter (Reading)
28' Cross  Ian Harte (Reading)
28' Free Kick  Ian Harte (Reading)
28' Foul  Leigertwood fouled by Andy Wilkinson (Stoke City)
27' Foul  Gorkss fouled by Ryan Shawcross (Stoke City)
27' Goal Kick  Asmir Begovic (Stoke City)
26' Shot  Kaspars Gorkss (Reading)
26' Corner Kick  Danny Guthrie (Reading)
26' Cross  Jobi McAnuff (Reading)
25' Throw-In  Ian Harte (Reading)
25' Goal Kick  Adam Federici (Reading)
24' Throw-In  Marc Wilson (Stoke City)
24' Throw-In  Ian Harte (Reading)
23' Cross  Ian Harte (Reading)
23' Free Kick  Ian Harte (Reading)
23' Foul  Robson-Kanu fouled by Andy Wilkinson (Stoke City)
22' Goal Kick  Adam Federici (Reading)
19' Shot  Jonathan Walters (Stoke City)
19' Throw-In  Andy Wilkinson (Stoke City)
18' Yellow Card  Dean Whitehead (Stoke City)
18' Foul  Guthrie fouled by Dean Whitehead (Stoke City)
18' Throw-In  Pavel Pogrebnyak (Reading)
17' Cross  Robert Huth (Stoke City)
17' Foul  Kightly fouled by Kaspars Gorkss (Reading)
16' Cross  Alex Pearce (Reading)
16' Free Kick  Alex Pearce (Reading)
16' Foul  McAnuff fouled by Marc Wilson (Stoke City)
15' Throw-In  Andy Wilkinson (Stoke City)
14' Cross  Ian Harte (Reading)
14' Cross  Hal Robson-Kanu (Reading)
13' Corner Kick  Ian Harte (Reading)
12' Throw-In  Ian Harte (Reading)
11' Throw-In  Marc Wilson (Stoke City)
11' Foul  Walters fouled by Pavel Pogrebnyak (Reading)
10' Throw-In  Pavel Pogrebnyak (Reading)
10' Throw-In  Ian Harte (Reading)
9' Offside  Jonathan Walters (Stoke City)
8' Goal Kick  Asmir Begovic (Stoke City)
8' Cross  Adam Le Fondre (Reading)
7' Throw-In  Kaspars Gorkss (Reading)
6' Throw-In  Marc Wilson (Stoke City)
6' Cross  Ian Harte (Reading)
6' Free Kick  Ian Harte (Reading)
5' Foul  Pogrebnyak fouled by Dean Whitehead (Stoke City)
4' Foul  Robson-Kanu fouled by Andy Wilkinson (Stoke City)
4' Throw-In  Ian Harte (Reading)
4' Throw-In  Andy Wilkinson (Stoke City)
3' Foul  Gorkss fouled by Peter Crouch (Stoke City)
3' Cross  Pavel Pogrebnyak (Reading)
2' Cross  Matthew Etherington (Stoke City)
2' Throw-In  Marc Wilson (Stoke City)
2' Throw-In  Marc Wilson (Stoke City)
1' Throw-In  Alex Pearce (Reading)
1' Start Half 
CommentaryLineupsStatistics Events Shotchart

Players
No.Number
MinPMinutes Played
GGoals
AstAssists
SHTSShots
SOGShots on Goal
CKCorner Kicks
CRCrosses
OffOffside
FCFouls Committed
FSFouls Suffered
YCYellow Cards
RCRed Cards
GAGoals Against
SvsSaves
w1 © 2013 by STATS LLC.
Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC is strictly prohibited.

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