Wow, huge credit to those players if they admitted guilt. If only more players were so sporting. But Reading so seem to be that way inclined. It was likely the smokebombs set off. I am getting sick of it! There is no need for them at games like this. They just create trouble for the club! And eventually the FL will punish us and people will feel hard done by.
[video=youtube;woTMJot_92E]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woTMJot_92E[/video] From these highlights, the pen looks like a suspect dive and we were lucky for a draw. Third goal from a deflected shot too. Reading's first goal was an incredible strike...
Thanks for the comments and commentary folks much better than the live text on hornet player. Sounds like a great game and am looking forward to seeing the highlights.
Whilst the penalty looks like a rather theatrical dive, it was the Lino that flagged for the foul and the ref decided on that basis. It was all rather confusing as the ref did not pint to the spot and we all assumed it was not a foul and he pointed outside of the box, or that is what it looked like, but he must have been pointing at the Lino! All rather confusing and summed up the ref...I thought the second pen claim looked far more of a blatant foul, but the ref signalled "shoulder to shoulder". But from where I was sitting it looked more like shoulder into the back! I quite like those flares Dan, adds a bit of atmosphere...
Spot on WY, I had no idea what the ref was giving until I spotted the Lino with his flag across his chest. Seemed to me that he was reluctant to give it, which is why I'm convinced he didn't give the Acuna pen which, as you say, was a shoulder in the back. As far as I'm concerned the Prem can have him back. Who was wearing flares?
Can't agree with you on that - yes there was an obvious swallow dive, but that doesn't detract from the fact that a foul was committed and a penalty was correctly awarded. What happens immediately after a foul should have no bearing whatsoever on a referee's decision, but sadly far too many refs don't seem able to understand that.... Our third goal may well have been from a deflected shot - but their second was the result of an unfortunate deflection too.
Was at the game yesterday, agree with many people posting on here, it was a fantastic advert for the Championship between two of the best teams in the division. Before the game I would have taken the point, but having come back from 2-0 and 3-1 down it felt like a victory. First half I didnt think we were that bad, I just thought Reading outplayed us at our own passing game. They were dangerous on the counter with the pace and trickery of McAnuff and in particular Roysten Drenthe really threatened out defence. Anya barely got a chance to run at their full-back and Danny Guthrie was playing well, dominating our midfield. Great hit from Le Fondre for their first goal, Ekstrand went completely asleep for the second. As with Birmingham and Bournemouth, for periods of the game the 3-5-2 seemed to be struggling to break down an organised defence for periods of the match. Obviously against Bournemouth we eventually cut loose, but against Reading Zola made a tactical chance by bringing on Fabbrini, and changing to a 3-4-3, and what a change it was. Reading were really pinned back, McCarthy had to make a couple of excellent saves and in the end the pressure told with those two late goals. Angella again stood out for me, the guy really is a class above at this level. Almunia played well, looking assured coming for crosses and corners. Fabbrini was excellent when he came on, not the strongest by any means but on the ball he really is excellent. Always able to get himself out of tight situations and he always did something positive with the ball. Acuna looked a little off the pace but still linked up the play well. I dont think the referee or his linesman had a very good but in his defence it was quite a difficult game to referee. Plenty of moments where whatever he had given would have seen one set of supporters complaining. Didnt like Reading's hacking of our players at times (especially Gunter on Forestieri) but we did it as well, and its a credit to their club when they admit the second goal was actually a penalty, despite Fabbrini's theatrics. Great atmosphere, and Im all for the smoke cannisters/flares, though can see why the stewards want to clamp down on them! On a final note, has anyone seen the third goal, what on earth was Doyley doing up there with Fabbrini of all people????
I was at Arse v Villa (long story...one day peop's) and the Arse had a nailed on stone wall penalty not given... so WTF knows what goes on. Looking at it in slo-mo thought ours was but it was a tad theatrical. That said it was Anthony Taylor at the Emirates and we've not had the pleasure of his company for a while (2-2 H v Norwich 2011 and the 0-1 defeat by Posh in 2010)
Did they - when was that? The main complaints seemed to be about the penalties Villa got which I thought were fair. Red card was harsh considering a Villa player did a tackle like that too and got nothing.
No arguments from me on either Villa penalty. But at 1-2 there was an incident where (I think) Geroud was utterly sandwiched between two Villa players and it was not one of Taylor's finest moments. Pretty cast iron from where I was, which as it happened, was an ideal place to see it. He also brought play back on four or five occasions for a freekick to Arsenal when they had good clear possession and advantage. No player was cautioned either for the fouls. I can assure you Mr Taylor did not have a great game, most certainly not in the second half. As we have seen at the Vic, he is not a 'homer'!
