MUFC
23-09-2006, 07:49 PM
Manchester United missed the chance to go top of the table after being held to a 1-1 draw at Reading.
Cristiano Ronaldo's late goal ensured United did not suffer a surprise defeat at the Premiership new boys.
United fan Kevin Doyle had threatened to give Reading a famous victory with a second half penalty before Ronaldo denied them all three points.
United began the brighter of the two sides and they created the first chance of the game on three minutes when Marcus Hahnemann spilled Wayne Rooney's shot, but the American goalkeeper reacted quickly to keep our Kieran Richardson's follow-up effort.
Reading had their first noteworthy effort on goal minutes later when Leroy Lita flashed a shot which Kevin Doyle diverted wide with his head.
Cristiano Ronaldo had the next opportunity for United, but his long-range effort was well saved by Hahnemann.
Rooney wasted a good opening on 12 minutes when Ronaldo slid him in on goal, but the England international's shot lacked the power to trouble Hahnemann.
Reading refused to be intimidated by United and Lita flashed a dangerous cross right across the six-yard box which Seol Ki-hyeon just failed to get on the end of.
The home side missed the best chance of the half on 18 minutes when Bobby Convey's cross deflected into the path of Doyle right in front of goal, but the Irishman saw his shot kept out by Edwin van der Sar.
Ronaldo won a dangerous free kick for United on 23 minutes when he was fouled on the edge of the box and the Portuguese ace took the resulting free kick which Hahnemann could not hold and he was relieved to see Ivar Ingimarsson on hand to clear the danger.
The game was switching from end to end and Seol called van der Sar into the action with a low left-footed strike which the Dutchman collected low down to his near post.
Paul Scholes was inches away from breaking the deadlock when he played the ball out wide to Ronaldo and the skilful winger sent in a cross which Scholes just failed to get on the end of right in front of goal.
United continued to push forward as the half drew to a close and Scholes and Ronaldo fired in shots over the top as they looked to break the deadlock.
Reading stunned United two minutes after the break when they were awarded a penalty for Gary Neville's handball inside the box.
Boyhood United fan Doyle took responsibility from the spot and although van der Sar got a hand on his effort the ball squirmed into the net.
The goal stung United into action and Fletcher should have done better four minutes later when he headed Gabriel Heinze's cross wide of the target.
Richardson wasted a golden opportunity to draw United level on 58 minutes when Rooney pulled the ball back for him on the penalty spot, but the midfielder slipped and mis-hit his shot.
That was Richardson's last involvement in the game as Sir Alex Ferguson brought on Saha for the England ace as his side went in search of an equaliser.
Scholes saw a shot deflected just over the crossbar as United continued to push more and more men forward.
United did draw level on 72 minutes with a superb strike from Ronaldo.
The Portuguese ace cut inside Graeme Murty wide on the left before drilling a fierce low shot past Hahnemann.
The visitors threw everything into attack in the closing stages, but Reading defended stoutly to earn a well-deserved point.
Cristiano Ronaldo's late goal ensured United did not suffer a surprise defeat at the Premiership new boys.
United fan Kevin Doyle had threatened to give Reading a famous victory with a second half penalty before Ronaldo denied them all three points.
United began the brighter of the two sides and they created the first chance of the game on three minutes when Marcus Hahnemann spilled Wayne Rooney's shot, but the American goalkeeper reacted quickly to keep our Kieran Richardson's follow-up effort.
Reading had their first noteworthy effort on goal minutes later when Leroy Lita flashed a shot which Kevin Doyle diverted wide with his head.
Cristiano Ronaldo had the next opportunity for United, but his long-range effort was well saved by Hahnemann.
Rooney wasted a good opening on 12 minutes when Ronaldo slid him in on goal, but the England international's shot lacked the power to trouble Hahnemann.
Reading refused to be intimidated by United and Lita flashed a dangerous cross right across the six-yard box which Seol Ki-hyeon just failed to get on the end of.
The home side missed the best chance of the half on 18 minutes when Bobby Convey's cross deflected into the path of Doyle right in front of goal, but the Irishman saw his shot kept out by Edwin van der Sar.
Ronaldo won a dangerous free kick for United on 23 minutes when he was fouled on the edge of the box and the Portuguese ace took the resulting free kick which Hahnemann could not hold and he was relieved to see Ivar Ingimarsson on hand to clear the danger.
The game was switching from end to end and Seol called van der Sar into the action with a low left-footed strike which the Dutchman collected low down to his near post.
Paul Scholes was inches away from breaking the deadlock when he played the ball out wide to Ronaldo and the skilful winger sent in a cross which Scholes just failed to get on the end of right in front of goal.
United continued to push forward as the half drew to a close and Scholes and Ronaldo fired in shots over the top as they looked to break the deadlock.
Reading stunned United two minutes after the break when they were awarded a penalty for Gary Neville's handball inside the box.
Boyhood United fan Doyle took responsibility from the spot and although van der Sar got a hand on his effort the ball squirmed into the net.
The goal stung United into action and Fletcher should have done better four minutes later when he headed Gabriel Heinze's cross wide of the target.
Richardson wasted a golden opportunity to draw United level on 58 minutes when Rooney pulled the ball back for him on the penalty spot, but the midfielder slipped and mis-hit his shot.
That was Richardson's last involvement in the game as Sir Alex Ferguson brought on Saha for the England ace as his side went in search of an equaliser.
Scholes saw a shot deflected just over the crossbar as United continued to push more and more men forward.
United did draw level on 72 minutes with a superb strike from Ronaldo.
The Portuguese ace cut inside Graeme Murty wide on the left before drilling a fierce low shot past Hahnemann.
The visitors threw everything into attack in the closing stages, but Reading defended stoutly to earn a well-deserved point.