MX23RW : Friday, November 8 19:03:36| >> :60:2158:2158:
Reading logo
Premier League
Dec 1, 2012 at 5.30pm UK
 
Manchester United logo

3-4

Morrison (23'), Robson-Kanu (8'), Le Fondre (19')
FT(HT: 3-4)
Anderson (13'), Rooney (16' pen., 30'), Van Persie (34')

Match Analysis: Reading 3-4 Manchester United

Match Analysis: Reading 3-4 Manchester United
© PA Photos
Sports Mole looks back over the seven-goal encounter between Reading and Manchester United.

Reading and Manchester United played out one of the most bizarre Premier League encounters in recent history this evening.

Visiting United claimed the points by the odd goal in seven, with all of the goals coming before the referee blew for half-time.

With both sides having held the lead at different points, it was a real end-to-end encounter at the Madejski Stadium.

Below, Sports Mole has looked back over the action to determine whether or not Reading can argue that they deserved a share of the spoils.

Match statistics:

Reading:
Shots 10
On target 7
Possession 49%
Corners 6
Fouls 10

Man United:
Shots 10
On target 5
Possession 51%
Corners 1
Fouls 12

Was the result fair?

During the first half it really could have been any scoreline. Had it been seven goals each, nobody could have complained! However, after the restart United gained an element of control on the fixture and began to keep possession well. They also created the better of the chances after the restart. With all that in mind, the visitors deserved the three points.

Reading's performance

On one hand, Brian McDermott will be delighted with the problems that his side caused United. Having said that, at times his defenders went missing. Take Robin van Persie's goal - despite his reputation as a deadly striker, the home defence left home all alone inside their area to put United 4-3 in front. If that continues throughout the season, it could prove extremely costly.

Man United's performance

They may have got the points and played some expansive football at times, but Sir Alex Ferguson cannot be happy with what he has seen. Time and again his defence was exposed and they were lucky to have gone into the break having only conceded three. The second half was better, but the opening 45 minutes were a real cause for concern. In truth, it's been a similar story for most of the season so far.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Wayne Rooney: It wasn't the sort of game in which Rooney was involved for the whole 90 minutes like we have seen so often from him. However, at key moments he made a real impact. The England forward kept his composure to score a penalty, before going on to add another with a neat finish. He also produced a clever flick to play in Van Persie for United's fourth.

Referee performance

It's doubtful that Mark Halsey will have officiated many games that were as frantic as that! His decision to award United a penalty was correct, but between him and his assistants they missed a shot from Van Persie that was over the line. It must be said though that it went extremely quickly and it is nothing that technology wouldn't have sorted in a matter of seconds. All in all, Halsey can be pleased with his evening's work.

Biggest gaffe

When Reading goalkeeper Adam Federici tried to be clever inside his own area and was caught by Van Persie in the second, the Aussie was a certainty to scoop this award - wasn't he? Not so! Having won possession and with a virtual open goal to hit, Van Persie went for power and sent his effort from six yards out well over the bar. Federici was a relieved man, leaving RVP to take the honours.

What next?

Reading: Next weekend Reading travel to fellow strugglers Southampton for what is looking like a crucial encounter.

Man United: It's the small matter of the Manchester derby next weekend. Victory for United will move them six points clear of their rivals.

ID:57423: cacheID:57423:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5624:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Wayne Rooney takes a penalty to score his team's second goal on December 1, 2012
Read Next:
Half-Time Report: Goalfest at Madejski
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
FT
Bengals
34-35
Ravens
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!