Brutal Reading and Barcelona

After the thuggery Reading dished out to Chelsea's goalkeepers tonight, Reading have no doubt severely dented the CHAMPIONS hopes of rapid progression to the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Wednesday October 18th could see Chelsea playing Barcelona with third choice Portuguese goalkeeper Hilario between the sticks after both Petr Cech and substitute goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini were victims of thuggish and brutal challenges by Hunt and Sonko this evening at the Madjeski Stadium, Reading.

For me the result a 1-0 win for the CHAMPIONS is irrelevant against the health of the Best Goalkeeper in the World and the Second Best Goalkeeper in the Premiership.

The game wasn't even 30 seconds old when Cech dived to smother the ball at the feet of Reading's Stephen Hunt, making his first start for the Royals in the Premiership. Instead of attempting to jump over Cech's body as attackers try to do, Hunt decided to continue on his path and the full roundness of his kneecap caught Cech flush on the side of his head.
Cech was left out cold. He was treated for a full five minutes before being stretchered off and eventually replaced by Carlo.

A minute before full-time (in injury-time) Carlo came out to punch away the ball from a dangerous Reading corner and Sonko the thug from Brentford (schooled by 'mad dog Martin Allen') clattered into Carlo after the ball was punched away.
TV pictures proved that Sonko deliberately put Carlo out of the game because his eyes WERE NOT on the ball, in fact they were not focussed on anyone.

As a side issue, the CHAMPIONS won 1-0 after a Frank Lampard free-kick was deflected into his own net by Igmarrsson just before half-time.

Didier Drogba gave a perfect lesson in GK and striker etiquette when on two occasions challenging Reading's 'keeper Hahnemann he jumped over the 'keeper after Hahnemann grabbed the ball.

After what happened to Cech I am sure 'The Dids' would loved to have left a boot in!!?!?!?!?!?!?

There were two red cards - one of each side - first Mikel was sent off on his Premiership start for two bookable offences and incidentally Mikel ONLY made two tackles all game.

Reading's Andre 'The Pikey' Bikey was sent off for the same. His second yellow card came after he pulled and tugged on Drogba's shirt in the second-half.

I hope Reading's fans are feeling really HARD and good about themselves tonight. Chanting Barcelona, Barcelona and with Chelsea losing TWO goalkeepers due to the thuggery of two of their players, Wednesday night COULD WELL be Barcelona's night.

COME ON CHELSEA

GET WELL PETR AND CARLO SOON - REAL SOON