2006–07 Reading F.C. season explained

The 2006–07 season was Reading Football Club's first season in the Premier League, and their first season in the top flight of English football. Reading also participated in the League Cup, beating Darlington in the second round before losing 4–3 to Liverpool at Anfield. Reading entered the FA Cup at the third round stage, defeating Burnley 3–2 and then Birmingham City by the same score to meet Manchester United in the Fifth Round. After drawing the initial game 1–1 at Old Trafford, Reading lost 2–3 at home in the replay ten days later, conceding the three goals in the first six minutes of the match. They collected 55 points from 38 matches which was good enough for eighth place, making this Reading's best ever league season.

Review and events

See also: 2006–07 Premier League.

August

Reading's first ever Premier League game came at home to Middlesbrough. Reading were 2–0 down after 20 minutes after goals from Stewart Downing and Yakubu, but ended up 3−2 winners through goals from Dave Kitson, Steve Sidwell and Leroy Lita. Kitson, however, was injured in a reckless tackle by Chris Riggott, and would not play again until the end of January 2007.

Reading's next game was against Aston Villa. After an early lead through Kevin Doyle, Ibrahima Sonko conceded a penalty and was sent off. Juan Pablo Ángel scored the resulting penalty for Villa, and Gareth Barry scored in the 61st minute to seal a win for Villa. The Royals next played Wigan Athletic, Emile Heskey scoring the only goal in a 1−0 win for Wigan.

September

In September, Reading's first game was against Manchester City, live on Sky Sports at home. Ívar Ingimarsson scored the only goal, despite being knocked unconscious before scoring. The first game against a side promoted with Reading was Sheffield United. Kevin Doyle scored after 16 seconds and in the 25th minute, followed by Seol Ki-hyeon scoring a 25-yard goal. Rob Hulse pulled a goal back in the 61st minute, but it was not enough for Sheffield United, who lost 2−1. Reading's first cup game came against Darlington, but Reading needed penalties after an exciting 3−3 draw. Next up were league runners up Manchester United at the Madejski. Reading ensured it was goalless at half-time and went 1−0 up through a Kevin Doyle penalty after Gary Neville handballed. Cristiano Ronaldo, however, scored a 73rd-minute goal to make it 1−1.

October

In October, Reading played West Ham at Upton Park where a second-minute goal turned out to be the winner, scored by Seol. Reading–Chelsea hit the headlines as both Chelsea goalkeepers were knocked out in a match where the visitors took a fortuitous 1−0 win. Frank Lampard scored Chelsea's goal which took two deflections before going in. The goal was given as an Ívar Ingimarsson own goal. In the same match 2), Robin van Persie and Alexander Hleb scoring. Shane Long made his first Premier League start in this match. Reading also lost 4−3 to Liverpool in the Carling Cup (Reading were 3−0 down).

November

In November, Reading lost 2−0 to Liverpool (which was also the first ever league meeting between the two sides). The goals came from Dirk Kuyt. The Royals then won 3−1 against Tottenham Hotspur. Robbie Keane opened the scoring for Spurs before Nicky Shorey scored a 25-yard goal. Then Steve Sidwell scored a header on the stroke of half-time with Kevin Doyle completing the scoring to make it 3−1. Reading's next match was against Charlton. They won 2−0 with the goals coming from Seol Ki-hyeon and Doyle. They ended the month with a 1−0 win over Fulham with a penalty kick from Doyle, after the striker had been bought down by Ian Pearce.

December

In December, Reading Won 1−0 at Bolton, a Kevin Doyle goal won the match. Next was Reading's longest away trip this season when Reading played Newcastle United. Reading lost 3−2, an 84th-minute winner by Emre. Reading played Watford in the worst game of the season, Watford 0−0). Reading and Blackburn Rovers was the next game at the Madjeski. Reading went 1–0 up on half-time, but Rovers scored two goals to make it Reading 1−2 Rovers. Chelsea played Reading next, two months after the teams played in Reading; the match ended 2−2. Reading then played Manchester United: Reading were losing 1−0, but Sonko scored to level the game. United then scored two goals though Cristiano Ronaldo to make it 3−1, although Lita scored a consolation goal to make the final score United 3−2 Reading.

January

In January, Reading could not have got a better start. On New Year's Day, Reading put six past West Ham United. On 6 January, Reading were due to play Burnley in the FA Cup but it was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, but Reading beat Burnley on the Tuesday night, a 3−2 win. Reading went to Everton unbeaten in the new year, and the game ended 1−1 in a match attended by Sylvester Stallone as an Everton supporter and guest of the chairman. Reading played Sheffield United at 2−0 Reading came a push-up in the dug out. Warnock and Downs sent off. Reading won 3−1. Reading Played Birmingham in the FA Cup (again). Birmingham had just enjoyed a 5−1 win at Newcastle United but they lost 3−2 to the Royals. Reading beat Wigan by the same score.

February

In February, Reading beat Manchester City away and Aston Villa at home. Both ending 2–0. At Old Trafford, Reading drew 1−1 with United in the FA Cup. Boro became the first team to beat Reading in 2007. Boro won 2−1. Reading were 3–0 down in the FA Cup 5th Round Replay against United in 5 minutes 41 seconds, but fought back to lose by only 3−2.

March to May

In March, April and May, Reading lost at Arsenal 2−1. Reading were 2−0 down, but drawing 0−0 at half-time, in the 87th minute when Arsenal scored an own goal courtesy of Cesc Fàbregas. Reading got a point at home to Portsmouth drawing 0−0. Reading lost to Spurs 1−0. Spurs scored a consolation penalty on half-time. Liverpool won at Reading 2−1. Liverpool's winner was in the 85th minute by Kuyt. Reading were held to a 0−0 draw at Charlton. Reading won at home to Fulham. They won at Bolton, 3−1, after being 1−0 down in the 85th minute. A midweek win at home to Newcastle United, 1−0, Kitson scored for the Royals. Reading shockingly lost to Watford at home 2−0. On the final day of the season, Reading played Blackburn Rovers away and needing a win to enter the UEFA Cup, Reading drew 3−3.

Squad

^[1]

No.	Name	Nationality	Position	Date of birth (Age)	Signed from	Signed in	Contract ends	Apps.	Goals
Goalkeepers
1	Marcus Hahnemann		GK	2007 5, df=yes	Fulham	2002		228	0
21	Graham Stack		GK	2007 5, df=yes	Arsenal	2005	2008	10	0
32	Adam Federici		GK	2007 5, df=yes	Torres	2005		6	0
36	Mikkel Andersen		GK	2007 5, df=yes	AB	2007	2009	0	0
Defenders
2	Graeme Murty		DF	2007 5, df=yes	York City	1998		310	2
3	Nicky Shorey		DF	2007 5, df=yes	Leyton Orient	2001		258	10
5	Ibrahima Sonko		DF	2007 5, df=yes	Brentford	2004		117	5
14	John Halls		DF	2007 5, df=yes	Stoke City	2006		5	1
16	Ívar Ingimarsson		DF	2007 5, df=yes	Wolverhampton Wanderers	2003		172	9
18	Sam Sodje		DF	2007 5, df=yes	Brentford	2006		7	1
22	André Bikey		DF	2007 5, df=yes	Lokomotiv Moscow	2007	2010	21	1
23	Ulises de la Cruz		DF	2007 5, df=yes	Aston Villa	2006	2007	15	1
25	Alan Bennett		DF	2007 5, df=yes	Cork City	2007		0	0
26	Curtis Osano		DF	2007 5, df=yes	Academy	2005		2	0
27	Aaron Brown		DF	2007 5, df=yes	Tamworth	2005		0	0
28	Greg Halford		DF	2007 5, df=yes	Colchester United	2007		3	0
29	Michael Duberry		DF	2007 5, df=yes	Stoke City	2007	2008	8	0
34	Scott Golbourne		DF	2007 5, df=yes	Bristol City	2006		2	0
35	Alex Pearce		DF	2007 5, df=yes	Academy	2006		1	0
47	Péter Máté		DF	2007 5, df=yes	on loan from Debrecen	2006		1	1
Midfielders
4	Steve Sidwell		MF	2007 5, df=yes	Arsenal	2003		187	30
6	Brynjar Gunnarsson		MF	2007 5, df=yes	Watford	2005		61	8
7	Glen Little		MF	2007 5, df=yes	Burnley	2004		112	6
10	Stephen Hunt		MF	2007 5, df=yes	Brentford	2005		84	7
11	John Oster		MF	2007 5, df=yes	Burnley	2005		72	3
15	James Harper		MF	2007 5, df=yes	Arsenal	2001		279	16
17	Bobby Convey		MF	2007 5, df=yes	D.C. United	2004		79	7
19	Seol Ki-hyeon		MF	2007 5, df=yes	Wolverhampton Wanderers	2006		31	4
20	Jonny Hayes		MF	2007 5, df=yes	Academy	2004		0	0
30	Scott Davies		MF	2007 5, df=yes	Academy	2004		0	0
34	James Henry		MF	2007 5, df=yes	Academy	2004		0	0
Forwards
8	Leroy Lita		FW	2007 5, df=yes	Bristol City	2005		70	29
9	Kevin Doyle		FW	2007 5, df=yes	Cork City	2005		85	32
12	Dave Kitson		FW	2007 5, df=yes	Cambridge United	2003		111	50
24	Shane Long		FW	2007 5, df=yes	Cork City	2005		40	6
31	Simon Cox		FW	2007 5, df=yes	Academy	2005		7	0
Out on loan
Left during the season
33	Conor Sinnott		MF	2007 5, df=yes	Bray Wanderers	2006		0	0
	Curtis Ujah		DF	2007 5, df=yes	Academy	2006		0	0
	Pierre-Joseph Dubois		FW	2007 5, df=yes	Academy	2006		0	0

Left club during season

Transfers

In

Date	Position	Nationality	Name	From	Fee	Ref.
12 July 2006	DF		Sam Sodje	Brentford	£350,000	[2]
12 July 2006	MF		Seol Ki-hyeon	Wolverhampton Wanderers	£1,500,000	[3]
25 August 2006	DF		Ulises de la Cruz	Aston Villa	Free	[4]
26 January 2007	GK		Mikkel Andersen	AB	Undisclosed	[5]
30 January 2007	DF		Alan Bennett	Cork City	Undisclosed
30 January 2007	DF		Greg Halford	Colchester United	Undisclosed	[6]
31 January 2007	DF		Michael Duberry	Stoke City	Undisclosed	[7]
24 April 2007	DF		André Bikey	Lokomotiv Moscow	£1,000,000	[8]

Loans in

Start date	Position	Nationality	Name	From	End date	Ref.
11 August 2006	DF		André Bikey	Lokomotiv Moscow	End of season	[9]
30 August 2006	DF		Péter Máté	Debrecen	End of season	[10]

Released

Date	Position	Nationality	Name	Joined	Date	Ref
November 2006	MF		Conor Sinnott	Wexford Youths	January 2007
January 2007	FW		Pierre-Joseph Dubois	Grays Athletic
January 2007	DF		Curtis Ujah
30 June 2007	MF		Steve Sidwell	Chelsea	1 July 2007	[12]
30 June 2007	MF		Jonny Hayes	Leicester City	4 July 2007	[13]

Competitions

Premier League

See main article: 2006–07 Premier League.

League table

FA Cup

See main article: 2006–07 FA Cup.

Football League Cup

See main article: 2006–07 Football League Cup.

Statistics

Appearances and goals

|-|colspan="14"|Players who left Reading during the season:|}

Goal scorers

width=60	Place	width=60	Position	width=60	Nation	width=60	Number	width=150	Name	width=150	Premier League	width=80	FA Cup	width=80	League Cup	width=80	Total
1	FW		8	Leroy Lita	7	4	3	14
2	FW		19	Kevin Doyle	13	0	0	13
3	MF		4	Steve Sidwell	4	0	0	4
	MF		10	Stephen Hunt	4	0	0	4
	MF		19	Seol Ki-hyeon	4	0	0	4
	DF		6	Brynjar Gunnarsson	3	1	0	4
	FW		12	Dave Kitson	2	2	0	4
	FW		24	Shane Long	2	1	1	4
				Own goal	4	0	0	4
10	MF		15	James Harper	3	0	0	3
11	DF		16	Ívar Ingimarsson	2	0	0	2
12	DF		23	Ulises de la Cruz	1	0	0	1
	MF		11	John Oster	1	0	0	1
	DF		5	Ibrahima Sonko	1	0	0	1
	DF		3	Nicky Shorey	1	0	0	1
	DF		22	André Bikey	0	1	0	1
	DF		18	Sam Sodje	0	1	0	1
	DF		47	Péter Máté	0	0	1	1
				TOTALS	54	9	6	69

Clean sheets

width=60	Place	width=60	Position	width=60	Nation	width=60	Number	width=150	Name	width=150	Premier League	width=80	FA Cup	width=80	League Cup	width=80	Total
1	GK		1	Marcus Hahnemann	13	0	0	13
TOTALS					13	0	0	13

Disciplinary record

Number	Nation	Position	Name	Premier League		FA Cup		League Cup		Total
1		GK	Marcus Hahnemann	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
2		DF	Graeme Murty	2	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
3		DF	Nicky Shorey	2	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
4		MF	Steve Sidwell	2	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
5		DF	Ibrahima Sonko	3	1	0	0	0	0	3	1
6		MF	Brynjar Gunnarsson	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
7		MF	Glen Little	1	0	0	0	1	0	1	0
8		FW	Leroy Lita	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
10		MF	Stephen Hunt	4	0	0	0	0	0	4	0
11		MF	John Oster	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
12		FW	Dave Kitson	3	0	1	0	0	0	4	0
15		MF	James Harper	3	0	1	0	0	0	4	0
16		DF	Ívar Ingimarsson	4	0	0	0	0	0	4	0
18		DF	Sam Sodje	3	0	0	0	0	0	3	0
19		MF	Seol Ki-hyeon	3	0	1	0	0	0	4	0
22		DF	André Bikey	2	1	4	0	1	0	7	1
23		DF	Ulises de la Cruz	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	0
24		FW	Shane Long	2	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
29		DF	Michael Duberry	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
32		GK	Adam Federici	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	0
Players away on loan:
Players who left Reading during the season:
Total				39	2	9	0	2	0	51	2

Awards

Premier League Manager of the Month

MONTH	Name	Award
September	Steve Coppell	[14]
November	Steve Coppell	[15]

Barclays Golden Glove Award

Notes and References

1. Web site: Team . Reading F.C. . 5 July 2014.
2. News: Reading complete swoop for Sodje . 14 July 2006 . BBC . 2 October 2012.
3. News: Reading complete signing of Seol . 11 July 2006 . BBC . 2 October 2012.
4. News: Reading complete de la Cruz deal . BBC News . 25 August 2006 . 2 October 2012.
5. News: Reading snap up keeper Andersen . 26 January 2007 . BBC . 2 October 2012.
6. Web site: Halford 'no pressure from price tag'. BBC . 2 October 2012.
7. Web site: 'All about Duberry' . BBC. 2 October 2012.
8. Web site: Bikey signs Reading deal . Metro . 2 October 2012.
9. News: Reading make Bikey loan capture . 11 August 2006 . BBC . 2 October 2012.
10. News: Reading make loan move for Mate . 30 August 2006 . BBC . 2 October 2012.
11. News: Sunderland complete Halford deal . BBC News . BBC . 19 October 2012.
12. News: Sidwell agrees switch to Chelsea . BBC News . BBC . 19 October 2012.
13. News: Leicester pick up Reading winger. 4 July 2007. 4 July 2007. BBC Sport.
14. Web site: Coppell is manager of the month. 13 October 2006. BBC Sport. 14 October 2013.
15. Web site: Coppell wins manager of the month. 8 December 2006. BBC Sport. 14 October 2013.
16. Web site: REINA NETS GOALKEEPING AWARD . 2 October 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20141006113019/http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/reina-nets-goalkeeping-award . 6 October 2014 . dmy .