Reading vs Chelsea <MD2 15/08> - TalkSoccer

**Sven** · 12-08-2007, 06:46 PM

Be a tough game, if they play same as they did today against UTD,

Sheva and Maka could be back in squad, I expect same team that started today against Birmingham to play.

Which means unfortunidly Johnson at RB.

**russe||** · 12-08-2007, 07:57 PM

If Lita still isn't fit you can guarantee a draw as a bare minimum. Reading today didn't try to win the game at any point.

**Sven** · 12-08-2007, 08:19 PM

But surley at home they might wanna go for it, when they saw how leaky we were today.

Other note Stephen Hunt will for first time meet Petr Cech, you think I would of forgive the prick, but I haven't so I hope our fans boo him, for his sake I hope he doesn't play ,the prick....

**russe||** · 12-08-2007, 08:42 PM

The fact they are at home shouldn't make any difference when it is Chelsea who are in town.

**Sven** · 12-08-2007, 08:47 PM

But we aren't champions you are, we should be looked at now as a top 4 team pushing for title, they gave us a good go when we didn't have Terry last season though they had Lita that day, ther pitch being smaller then OT they can play more of there style of game, I expect them to score least one against us.

**Oliver_Kahn** · 12-08-2007, 09:16 PM

It's being reported in the Portuguese press that Essien picked up a knee injury and might not play in this match.

**Sven** · 12-08-2007, 09:23 PM

He came of injured today agians the Brumms, I expect him to be rested for Liverpool I think smartest think Jose could do, though will he play Sidwell against his old team I don't know.

**unitedfan** · 12-08-2007, 09:59 PM

Just on Essien

Quote:

CHELSEA midfield player Michael Essien has sustained a knee ligament injury in the 3-2 English Premier League win over Birmingham City, and is a doubt for Thursday's (AEST) trip to Reading.

After a pre-season scarred by injuries to a host of key players, including captain John Terry, coach Jose Mourinho must have thought things were looking up as Didier Drogba made a quicker than expected return to fitness against Steve Bruce's side.

Instead, he could be facing a spell without his most versatile player.

Essien's value was underlined against Birmingham. He capped a dynamic display with the winner that ensured Chelsea extended its unbeaten run in league matches at Stamford Bridge to 64, beating Liverpool's previous top-flight record.

"It was something in the knee ligament," said Mourinho.

"He (Essien) was limping and the doctor was saying he was in pain.

"I had two midfielders on the bench so I made the change immediately. If you ask me if he is ready for Wednesday I don't know."

Agence France-Presse

**unitedfan** · 12-08-2007, 10:02 PM

And I doubt they'll set up against you like they did against us. You aren't as quick or individualistic as us, but are better at set pieces and a hell of a lot better in the air, so it'd be tough to go man for man against you.

**russe||** · 12-08-2007, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sven

But we aren't champions you are, we should be looked at now as a top 4 team pushing for title, they gave us a good go when we didn't have Terry last season though they had Lita that day, ther pitch being smaller then OT they can play more of there style of game, I expect them to score least one against us.

Makes no difference. You're still a very good side and although Reading are a decent team (they troubled all of the top four last season) they aren't as good this season and against us didn't look remotely like scoring.

hk_on99 · 13-08-2007, 01:59 AM

Quote:

But we aren't champions you are, we should be looked at now as a top 4 team pushing for title, they gave us a good go when we didn't have Terry last season though they had Lita that day, ther pitch being smaller then OT they can play more of there style of game, I expect them to score least one against us.

I don't think Reading will be looking to take much out of the game without Lita. Right back has proven to be a problem for Chelsea yet again. I expect that both Mourinho and Johnson have learnt a lesson against Birmingham, and I wouldn't be surprised if our RB position got a bit stronger. That said, I don't think Reading has the firepower to beat Chelsea. If they do try to put 11 men behind the ball and defend like they did against United, then I have absolute confidence we can beat them. Chelsea has shown in the past to be able to score from long ranges - something that United looked incapable of doing.

ManuelD · 14-08-2007, 06:18 AM

Reading is dangerous after all they held their own against ManU with 10 men.

Jose must do something at RB and stay with two strikers and you should win or at least draw.

**kyan** · 15-08-2007, 07:33 PM

Quote:

2028: GOAL Reading 1-0 Chelsea

Petr Cech makes a right old mess of coming to punch a Ivar Ingimarsson header clear and Andre Bikey is on hand to tap in having just come on for Michael Duberry. That was his first touch of the game. A better substitution than Dave Kitson's at the weekend!

Source: BBC

**kyan** · 15-08-2007, 07:42 PM

Reading just hit the post as well and to make things worse for Chelsea Carvalho had to come off for........

Glen Johnson to play at CB

Reading
01 Hahnemann; 02 Murty; 16 Ingimarsson; 29 Duberry (29 Bikey); 03 Shorey; 1 Oster; 15 Harper; 04 Cisse; 10 Hunt; 09 Doyle; 24 Long

Substitutes
32 Federici, 06 Gunnarsson, 19 Ki-Hyeon, 22 Bikey, 23 De la Cruz

Chelsea
01 Cech; 20 Ferreira; 22 Ben Haim; 06 Carvalho (31 Johnson); 03 Cole; 24 Wright-Phillips; 09 Sidwell; 08 Lampard; 15 Malouda; 11 Drogba; 21 Kalou

Substitutes
23 Cudicini, 02 Johnson, 10 Cole, 12 Obi, 14 Pizarro

**Trim** · 15-08-2007, 08:07 PM

2 mins into second half, and Chelsea equalise.

1-1.

Super Lamps scored.