Bap Rolls Over Reading

I suppose I am not alone in my sense of relief this morning. Reading have been stubborn opponents to many this season but thankfully offered little yesterday, apart from a late rally that caused a few flutters.

The major surprise was that the margin of victory was not significantly higher. The hosts produced some wonderfully fluent football in the opening half yet were let down by some profligate finishing. Offender-in-chief was Cesc Fabregas, denied by his touch in the opening minute, and guilty of missing a gaping open goal just before the half-hour mark.

Fabregas was not alone in his wastefulness. Freddie Ljungberg also had a golden chance to give Arsenal a deserved lead but the Swede, having been released by an improved Julio Baptista, struck his shot too close to Marcus Hahnemann

The breakthrough was not long in coming after the break. Gael Clichy showed Bikey a clean pair of heels, which the Reading defender duly clipped. From the penalty spot Gilberto Silva, having missed his last spot-kick at the Reebok, calmed nerves. One-nil to the Arsenal.

The lead was doubled when the rampaging Baptista (above) bundled his way through, rather than around, Murty and clipped in a cool finish. This will have done the Brazilian’s confidence no harm whatsoever.

With the game seemingly over, Reading suddenly came to the fore. Steve Sidwell headed over from a corner and then shot wastefully wide from close range, before Fabregas completed a mixed performance by diverting a corner into his own net.

That set up a tense finale and mad Jens had to be at his brilliant best to deny former Gunner Sidwell one last time. A much-needed three points were secured, and with Liverpool dropping all three the Gunners now sit a point off third place with two games in hand.

Bring on Eindhoven.