Played
February 2, 2013 10:00 AM EST
Madejski Stadium — Reading
Referee: L. Mason
Attendance: 23829
February 2, 2013 10:00 AM EST
Madejski Stadium — Reading
Referee: L. Mason
Attendance: 23829
Top of the Match
Jimmy Kebe
Reading
Reading
Jimmy Kebe
Reading
Reading
Flop of the Match
Sebastian Larsson
Sunderland
Sunderland
Alfred N'diaye
Sunderland
Sunderland
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Reading 2-1 Sunderland: Kebe double hands hosts vital three points
The Royals left it late once again to claim a precious three points thanks to two strikes from their Malian winger, lifting themselves out of the relegation zone in the process
By Al Hain-Cole
Getty
Reading left it late to once again secure a valuable three points against Sunderland in a 2-1 win. The Royals lifted themselves clear of the relegation zone with the win.
Two strikes from Jimmy Kebe either side of Craig Gardner’s penalty saw Brian McDermott’s side earn its fourth win in six Premier League games, to continue a remarkable run of form.
The Madejski Stadium was in fine spirits after Reading’s strong recent run, and the home crowd was soon given all the more reason to cheer as the hosts took the lead within the opening seven minutes.
Jobi McAnuff was given too much space on the left-hand side of the penalty area and took full advantage, cutting a teasing ball back to the edge of the box where a lurking Kebe was on hand to deftly skip past the challenge of Jack Colback and smash the ball into the roof of the net.
The visitors' first attempt on goal did not come until the 24th minute, when Alfred N’Diaye drove to the edge of the box and hit a low shot that was well saved by Adam Federici, who then managed to get up and block Sebastian Larsson’s follow up.
The Swedish midfielder wanted a penalty for Ian Harte‘s challenge as he went for the loose ball, and his wish was belatedly granted minutes later when Pavel Pogrebnyak lunged in with a wild challenge on John O’Shea after the ball was half cleared from a corner, giving referee Lee Mason no choice but to point to the spot.
Craig Gardner stepped up and slammed the ball into the bottom corner with characteristic aplomb, giving Federici no chance, despite the Australian diving the right way.
The Russian striker almost made amends for his moment of madness when he rose to meet Harte’s dangerous in-swinging free-kick on 40 minutes, but his header was well saved by Simon Mignolet at the near post.
The second half started at a pedestrian pace, with Sunderland seemingly content to frustrate the home team and try and strike on the counter-attack.
The lack of cutting edge soon had the home fans crying out for super-sub Adam Le Fondre, and Brian McDermott duly obliged just after the hour mark, bringing the striker on to replace Garath McCleary.
However, it was center back Adrian Mariappa who came closest to breaking the deadlock, rising impressively to meet another dangerous Harte corner and planting a header straight onto the Sunderland crossbar.
Martin O’Neill responded by bringing on new signing Danny Graham to make his debut, and the self-confessed Newcastle fan was greeted with cheers from the Sunderland fans who had booed him in a Swansea shirt just a few days earlier.
Just as the visitors looked to be posing an increased threat up front, the Royals went down the other end of the pitch and grabbed a trademark late goal, as Kebe met yet another Harte cross at the far post to head home with five minutes to go.
Sunderland piled everything forward in the last few minutes, but was unable to test Federici, and became the latest victim to the Reading late show.
Two strikes from Jimmy Kebe either side of Craig Gardner’s penalty saw Brian McDermott’s side earn its fourth win in six Premier League games, to continue a remarkable run of form.
The Madejski Stadium was in fine spirits after Reading’s strong recent run, and the home crowd was soon given all the more reason to cheer as the hosts took the lead within the opening seven minutes.
Jobi McAnuff was given too much space on the left-hand side of the penalty area and took full advantage, cutting a teasing ball back to the edge of the box where a lurking Kebe was on hand to deftly skip past the challenge of Jack Colback and smash the ball into the roof of the net.
The visitors' first attempt on goal did not come until the 24th minute, when Alfred N’Diaye drove to the edge of the box and hit a low shot that was well saved by Adam Federici, who then managed to get up and block Sebastian Larsson’s follow up.
The Swedish midfielder wanted a penalty for Ian Harte‘s challenge as he went for the loose ball, and his wish was belatedly granted minutes later when Pavel Pogrebnyak lunged in with a wild challenge on John O’Shea after the ball was half cleared from a corner, giving referee Lee Mason no choice but to point to the spot.
Craig Gardner stepped up and slammed the ball into the bottom corner with characteristic aplomb, giving Federici no chance, despite the Australian diving the right way.
The Russian striker almost made amends for his moment of madness when he rose to meet Harte’s dangerous in-swinging free-kick on 40 minutes, but his header was well saved by Simon Mignolet at the near post.
The second half started at a pedestrian pace, with Sunderland seemingly content to frustrate the home team and try and strike on the counter-attack.
The lack of cutting edge soon had the home fans crying out for super-sub Adam Le Fondre, and Brian McDermott duly obliged just after the hour mark, bringing the striker on to replace Garath McCleary.
However, it was center back Adrian Mariappa who came closest to breaking the deadlock, rising impressively to meet another dangerous Harte corner and planting a header straight onto the Sunderland crossbar.
Martin O’Neill responded by bringing on new signing Danny Graham to make his debut, and the self-confessed Newcastle fan was greeted with cheers from the Sunderland fans who had booed him in a Swansea shirt just a few days earlier.
Just as the visitors looked to be posing an increased threat up front, the Royals went down the other end of the pitch and grabbed a trademark late goal, as Kebe met yet another Harte cross at the far post to head home with five minutes to go.
Sunderland piled everything forward in the last few minutes, but was unable to test Federici, and became the latest victim to the Reading late show.
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Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Robin van Persie Striker Man United |
26 | 3 |
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Luis Suárez Striker Liverpool |
23 | 0 |
|
Gareth Bale Midfielder Tottenham |
21 | 0 |
|
C. Benteke Striker Aston Villa |
19 | 3 |
|
Michu Midfielder Swansea City |
19 | 0 |
