2006–07 Reading F.C. season

Review and events

August

Reading's first ever Premier League game came at home to Middlesbrough. Reading were 2–0 down after 20 minutes after goals from Stewart Downing and Yakubu, but ended up 3−2 winners through goals from Dave Kitson, Steve Sidwell and Leroy Lita. Kitson, however, was injured in a reckless tackle by Chris Riggott, and would not play again until the end of January 2007.

Reading's next game was against Aston Villa. After an early lead through Kevin Doyle, Ibrahima Sonko conceded a penalty and was sent off. Juan Pablo Ángel scored the resulting penalty for Villa, and Gareth Barry scored in the 61st minute to seal a win for Villa. The Royals next played Wigan Athletic, Emile Heskey scoring the only goal in a 1−0 win for Wigan.

September

In September, Reading's first game was against Manchester City, live on Sky Sports at home. Ívar Ingimarsson scored the only goal, despite being knocked unconscious before scoring. The first game against a side promoted with Reading was Sheffield United. Kevin Doyle scored after 16 seconds and in the 25th minute, followed by Seol Ki-hyeon scoring a 25-yard goal. Rob Hulse pulled a goal back in the 61st minute, but it was not enough for Sheffield United, who lost 2−1. Reading's first cup game came against Darlington, but Reading needed penalties after an exciting 3−3 draw. Next up were league runners up Manchester United at the Madejski. Reading ensured it was goalless at half-time and went 1−0 up through a Kevin Doyle penalty after Gary Neville handballed. Cristiano Ronaldo, however, scored a 73rd-minute goal to make it 1−1.

October

In October, Reading played West Ham at Upton Park where a second-minute goal turned out to be the winner, scored by Seol. Reading–Chelsea hit the headlines as both Chelsea goalkeepers were knocked out in a match where the visitors took a fortuitous 1−0 win. Frank Lampard scored Chelsea's goal which took two deflections before going in. The goal was given as an Ívar Ingimarsson own goal. In the same match 2), Robin van Persie and Alexander Hleb scoring. Shane Long made his first Premier League start in this match. Reading also lost 4−3 to Liverpool in the Carling Cup (Reading were 3−0 down).

November

In November, Reading lost 2−0 to Liverpool (which was also the first ever league meeting between the two sides). The goals came from Dirk Kuyt. The Royals then won 3−1 against Tottenham Hotspur. Robbie Keane opened the scoring for Spurs before Nicky Shorey scored a 25-yard goal. Then Steve Sidwell scored a header on the stroke of half-time with Kevin Doyle completing the scoring to make it 3−1. Reading's next match was against Charlton. They won 2−0 with the goals coming from Seol Ki-hyeon and Doyle. They ended the month with a 1−0 win over Fulham with a penalty kick from Doyle, after the striker had been bought down by Ian Pearce.

December

In December, Reading Won 1−0 at Bolton, a Kevin Doyle goal won the match. Next was Reading's longest away trip this season when Reading played Newcastle United. Reading lost 3−2, an 84th-minute winner by Emre. Reading played Watford in the worst game of the season, Watford 0−0). Reading and Blackburn Rovers was the next game at the Madjeski. Reading went 1–0 up on half-time, but Rovers scored two goals to make it Reading 1−2 Rovers. Chelsea played Reading next, two months after the teams played in Reading; the match ended 2−2. Reading then played Manchester United: Reading were losing 1−0, but Sonko scored to level the game. United then scored two goals though Cristiano Ronaldo to make it 3−1, although Lita scored a consolation goal to make the final score United 3−2 Reading.

January

In January, Reading could not have got a better start. On New Year's Day, Reading put six past West Ham United. On 6 January, Reading were due to play Burnley in the FA Cup but it was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, but Reading beat Burnley on the Tuesday night, a 3−2 win. Reading went to Everton unbeaten in the new year, and the game ended 1−1 in a match attended by Sylvester Stallone as an Everton supporter and guest of the chairman. Reading played Sheffield United at 2−0 Reading came a push-up in the dug out. Warnock and Downs sent off. Reading won 3−1. Reading Played Birmingham in the FA Cup (again). Birmingham had just enjoyed a 5−1 win at Newcastle United but they lost 3−2 to the Royals. Reading beat Wigan by the same score.

February

In February, Reading beat Manchester City away and Aston Villa at home. Both ending 2–0. At Old Trafford, Reading drew 1−1 with United in the FA Cup. Boro became the first team to beat Reading in 2007. Boro won 2−1. Reading were 3–0 down in the FA Cup 5th Round Replay against United in 5 minutes 41 seconds, but fought back to lose by only 3−2.

March to May

In March, April and May, Reading lost at Arsenal 2−1. Reading were 2−0 down, but drawing 0−0 at half-time, in the 87th minute when Arsenal scored an own goal courtesy of Cesc Fàbregas. Reading got a point at home to Portsmouth drawing 0−0. Reading lost to Spurs 1−0. Spurs scored a consolation penalty on half-time. Liverpool won at Reading 2−1. Liverpool's winner was in the 85th minute by Kuyt. Reading were held to a 0−0 draw at Charlton. Reading won at home to Fulham. They won at Bolton, 3−1, after being 1−0 down in the 85th minute. A midweek win at home to Newcastle United, 1−0, Kitson scored for the Royals. Reading shockingly lost to Watford at home 2−0. On the final day of the season, Reading played Blackburn Rovers away and needing a win to enter the UEFA Cup, Reading drew 3−3.

Squad

| GK | | Fulham | 2002 | | 228

| | Arsenal | 2005 | 2008 | 10

| | Torres | 2005 | | 6

| | AB | 2007 | 2009 | 0

| | York City | 1998 | | 310

| | Leyton Orient | 2001 | | 258

| | Brentford | 2004 | | 117

| | Stoke City | 2006 | | 5

| | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 2003 | | 172

| | Brentford | 2006 | | 7

| | Lokomotiv Moscow | 2007 | 2010 | 21

| | Aston Villa | 2006 | 2007 | 15

| | Cork City | 2007 | | 0

| | Academy | 2005 | | 2

| | Tamworth | 2005 | | 0

| | Colchester United | 2007 | | 3

| | Stoke City | 2007 | 2008 | 8

| | Bristol City | 2006 | | 2

| | Academy | 2006 | | 1

| | on loan from Debrecen | 2006 | | 1

| | Arsenal | 2003 | | 187

| | Watford | 2005 | | 61

| | Burnley | 2004 | | 112

| | Brentford | 2005 | | 84

| | Burnley | 2005 | | 72

| | Arsenal | 2001 | | 279

| | D.C. United | 2004 | | 79

| | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 2006 | | 31

| | Academy | 2004 | | 0

| | Academy | 2004 | | 0

| | Academy | 2004 | | 0

| | Bristol City | 2005 | | 70

| | Cork City | 2005 | | 85

| | Cambridge United | 2003 | | 111

| | Cork City | 2005 | | 40

| | Academy | 2005 | | 7

| | Bray Wanderers | 2006 | | 0

| | Curtis Ujah | ENG | DF | | Academy | 2006 | | 0

| | Pierre-Joseph Dubois | FRA | FW | | Academy | 2006 | | 0 | 0 |}

Left club during season

Transfers

In

Loans in

Out

Released

Competitions

Overview

Premier League

Main article: 2006–07 Premier League

Results summary

Results by round

| color_5-7=#97DEFF| color_18-=#FFCCCC

Results

Sidwell , Lita Yakubu Riggott Rochemback Boateng Barry Sonko Reyna Sinclair Dabo Barton Seol Hleb Van Persie Kanu Mendes Sidwell Doyle Doyle Martins Belözoğlu Bentley McFadden Essien Ronaldo Sodje Lita Hunt Ferdinand Doyle Lita De la Cruz Hunt Nadé Long Lita Landzaat Yakubu Baptista Senderos Fàbregas Kuyt Hunt King Bentley Derbyshire Doyle Gunnarsson

League table

FA Cup

Main article: 2006–07 FA Cup

Long Sodje O'Connor Larsson Lita Lita Saha Solskjær

Football League Cup

Main article: 2006–07 Football League Cup

Máté Joachim Duke Little Doyle Long Bikey James Wainwright Johnson Riise Paletta Crouch Lita Long

Statistics

Appearances and goals

|- |}

Goal scorers

Clean sheets

Disciplinary record

Awards

[[Premier League Manager of the Month#2006–07|Premier League Manager of the Month]]

[[PFA Young Player of the Year]]

Barclays Golden Glove Award

References

References

1. "Team". Reading F.C..
2. (14 July 2006). "Reading complete swoop for Sodje". BBC.
3. (11 July 2006). "Reading complete signing of Seol". BBC.
4. (25 August 2006). "Reading complete de la Cruz deal". BBC News.
5. (26 January 2007). "Reading snap up keeper Andersen". BBC.
6. "Halford 'no pressure from price tag'". BBC.
7. "'All about Duberry'". BBC.
8. "Bikey signs Reading deal". Metro.
9. (11 August 2006). "Reading make Bikey loan capture". BBC.
10. (30 August 2006). "Reading make loan move for Mate". BBC.
11. "Sunderland complete Halford deal". BBC.
12. "Sidwell agrees switch to Chelsea". BBC.
13. (4 July 2007). "Leicester pick up Reading winger". BBC Sport.
14. (13 October 2006). "Coppell is manager of the month". [[BBC Sport]].
15. (8 December 2006). "Coppell wins manager of the month". [[BBC Sport]].
16. "REINA NETS GOALKEEPING AWARD".