Go for the Sublime

Nobody can possibly argue that Steve Coppell’s Reading have had it easy lately. In fact their last three home fixtures have provided as big a test as any Premiership side could face, let alone a newly promoted one. And in many respects they have emerged with great credit – a 1-1 draw against Manchester United; defeat to the Premiership Champions by a single goal and a 4-0 loss to an Arsenal side that would have beaten absolutely anyone on the day.

Coppell, in particular, would have relished the close encounter with Manchester United, the club he served with distinction for so many years, but the Chelsea game (which could so easily have been a draw had Doyle’s shot not hit the inside of the post) was marred by serious injuries to Cech and Cudicini and the relentless subsequent criticism of Reading led by Jose Mourinho.

It was therefore with considerable relief that Reading approached the game with Arsenal and that relief was in no way compromised by the comprehensive manner in which they were outplayed, especially as they never gave up and would have learned so much from the experience. Steve Coppell, who is in a unique position to appraise the leading contenders for the Premiership title, was both quick and generous in his acknowledgement of his opponents, describing Arsenal’s football as “fabulous” and paying a warm tribute to Thierry Henry and Cesc Fabregas in particular.

Chelsea remain odds on favourites for a third successive title, but you get the feeling that everyone who loves football will be praying that the odds are upset. To understand why, all you have to do is assemble the appropriate adjectives.

Efficient. Robotic. Pragmatic. Ruthless. Relentless. Utilitarian. Clinical. Chelsea.

Silky. Subtle. Imaginative. Spontaneous. Electric. Exciting. Entertaining. Arsenal.

One demands respect, the other inspires love. And awe.

Happily, like Steve Coppell, most of us are drawn towards art. We go for the sublime.

Every time.