Robin van Persie shoots in the emphatic lead and eventual winner in the 34th minute
Image retrieved from The Daily Mail UK
Goals of the Game
Manchester United: Anderson (13'), Rooney (16' PG, 30'), Van Persie (34')
Reading: Robson-Kanu (8'), Le Fondre (19'), Morrison (23')
From a pulsating and riveting first half, the game went nowhere fast and United eased in another win, this time against Brian McDermott's Reading at the Madejski Stadium.
Reading got the first half off to a quick start, while Manchester United to their normal one as of late when Robson-Kanu collected a poorly defended ball by Jonny Evans, who chucked it in the net and put the home side in the lead. Ashley Young would be the mastermind of United's comeback, though, as he fed Anderson, who smashed the ball in past Reading's keeper Federici. Feeling the early press, Reading would give away a penalty kick, with Rooney getting the ball in.
The home team would respond against the visiting Reds. Corner to Reading, Shorey's cross is collected by Adam Le Fondre, who headed in the 2-2 equalizer. They would then get the lead four minutes later, Sean Morrison the goalscorer.
Rooney smashes in a penalty kick, placing his side in the lead after 16 minutes
Image retrieved from The Daily Mail UK
But as we've seen so many times this season, with still a lot of time to go, United was bound to make a comeback. A cool 1-2 between Evra and Ashley Young worked big-time, with the former successfully delivering a cross inside the penalty box. Rooney was in the prime spot and buried in the equalizer. Four minutes later, United would once again take the lead thanks to Robin van Persie, with Rooney providing the assist.
Just before half-time, the Dutchman would drive another into the net, but the goal was not given, when replays clearly showed the ball going well over the line.
Replays show van Persie's before half-time strike was clearly over the line
Image retrieved from The Telegraph UK
Second-half tamed down dramatically, considering the impact the first half had. United, at this point, already had two changes on the playing XI, with Rafael replaced by Smalling in the 31st minute and Anderson replaced by Phil Jones in the 45th. Reading, meanwhile, had no changes on their side for the second-half.
United seemingly continued where they left off, putting the pressure on Reading's back-four. Reading, however, would soon find a break. Le Fondre was positioned in the penalty box, but the ball didn't come. On the other side, Reading's keeper Adam Federici spills the ball from a back pass and Van Persie was sure to punish the former for it. Unfortunately, Van Persie would miss.
Both sides had their own attempts in the second-half, but no cigar. Reading, though, would have the last bites on the apple. Into injury time, Reading won themselves a corner. Morison won the header over United's Phil Jones, but Lindegaard tipped it away. Second corner, again no dice. By then, Reading had no more time and the final whistle was sounded.
United eased their way to a win yet again and Sir Alex Ferguson would be delighted to go into the Manchester derby three points clear of their blue rivals.
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