EPL Round 6: Sunderland AFC vs Reading FC

By: Lucas | September 15th, 2007

With the players wearing black armbands in memoriam of Ian Porterfield, Sunderland gave their home fans a dominant and inspiring show today, winning 2-1 over struggling Reading FC. Absent from the lineup were injured wingers Carlos Edwards and Kieran Richardson; despite missing two such important parts of the team (esp. Edwards, who has been in top form ever since last season), Sunderland were great. Kenwyne Jones did lots to endear himself to the Stadium of Light faithful, notching a goal and an assist and generally harassing the Royals back line all day. Ross Wallace scored early in the 2nd to put the home side up 2-0, and it was smooth sailing for most of the half.

There was a let up in intensity toward the end, and Reading took advantage, pulling one back on a Dave Kitson header in the 85th, and nearly equalizing a couple of times thereafter. I think Roy Keane has to be very happy with today’s result, and I’m certain the Mackems faithful are pleased.

Ha’Way the Lads!

(my live blog of the game is after the page cut)

It would be nice if the boys could get an early lead in this game and give the home fans a reason to scream. With Chopra, Yorke and Kenwyne Jones starting together, I think Keano has the same idea.

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FULL TIME – Sunderland 2 : 1 Reading

90′ +2 – Convey strikes a dangerous free kick wide right. Three whistles imminent.

84′ GOAL READING – Craig Gordon’s clean sheet is gone as Dave Kitson heads in a Shorey free kick.

82′ SUB SUNDERLAND – Hero of the day Kenwyne Jones comes off for Daryl Murphy

80′ SUB SUNDERLAND – Chopra off for Liam Miller.

77′ SUB READING – There is a Bobby Convey sighting at the Stadium of Light.

68′ - Kenwyne Jones owns Bikey down the right side, Bikey picks up a yellow for a reckless challenge.

64′ SUBSTITUTION SUNDERLAND – Wallace off for Anthony Stokes, who commences to immediately menace the Reading goal.

62′ - Ross Wallace denied a second by a defender clearing off the line. All Sunderland at this point.

59′ - Chopra makes a nice run and then dances around with the ball top of the 18 and fires a shot wide left. Jones is having an excellent match.

47′ GOAL SUNDERLAND! – More good play from Kenwyne Jones produces another goal, this time from Ross Wallace. 2-0 to the Red & White, brilliant! Wallace gets a yellow for taking off his shirt to celebrate; not sure Keano will mind with a 2-0 lead.

Halftime - It was all Sunderland in the first half, putting great pressure on Hahnemann’s goal and outshooting Reading 8-2. Andre Bikey had a free header off a corner just before half, but no threat as the ball sails over. I imagine this will be Keano’s happiest halftime this season.

29′ – GOAL SUNDERLAND! – Kenwyne Jones has opened his account at the Stadium of Light, putting SAFC up 1-0. Ha’Way Lads!

19′ - Marcus Hahnemann has already had to make 4 saves for the Royals.

10′ - Sunderland pressure with a couple of Ross Wallace corners.

1′ - Reading’s Leroy Lita with a shot in the first 30 seconds.