The Power of the Mind

Reading fans would have left the Madeski Stadium convinced that their side could have beaten Chelsea, had they not given the ball away cheaply (often by persisting with the unjustifiable tactic of pumping high balls up to Leroy Lita) and conceded so many free kicks.

They are also entitled to mention that the home side came as close as it gets in the 32nd minute, when after a brilliant run from Hunt, Doyle was desperately unlucky to see his shot hit the post with Cudicini a helpless spectator, then almost on the stroke of half time the Champions were extremely fortunate to grab what proved to be the winning goal after a double deflection of Lampard’s free kick.

But in a game marred by serious injuries to Cech and Cudicini and two red cards, the overriding impression was that Reading actually lost because they never managed to convince themselves that they were capable of winning.