Entertainment...

I have been going on about honourable defeats, we will soon have to call this type of game something as well. Entertaining draws? But entertaining for whom, exactly? Spurs are the new favourites of commentators and other pundits, that’s for sure. And they go on about Berbatov as much as we do here. (His first effort of the game, when he controlled a ball with his head and seemed to twist and bend himself in order to get it in the right direction was amazing and humanly impossible – had he succeeded it would have been the goal of the year, for sheer athleticism!)

My nerves were in bits, of course. And a game which I had come to expecting the worst (an Arsenal complex?) began with a half which suggested that a win would surely be the outcome, was followed by a second half which again made me feel that nope, defeat it is, and then ended with a spectacular goal which made the draw look like a win. Of course now we really do need to win the rest of the games – even when draws are amazingly entertaining (for whom, again?), with lots of goals and great play, they still only provide a point. And we need to secure at least 7^th place… Steve Coppell has said that he wants to focus on the Premiership and that his side would not be ready for Europe next season, a sensible sentiment and who thought Reading would come so far anyway? But, Steve, would you mind losing a few games from now on?! The surprise win against Bolton has put Reading on 6^th spot, a point ahead of Spurs. We have a game in hand on all of the nearest rivals, though.

Back to our game and what a truly wonderful time to finally score from a corner kick! Almost worth the wait just beacuse it came against Arsenal. Expertly done, Dawson winning the first header and directing it perfectly down to Keane, who then headed past Lehmann. Should he have been better marked by the Arsenal defence? Who cares. I had tears in my eyes. What a goal. Set piece revision obviously paid off. We were cruising and it was a joy to watch the fluidity, the creativity and the strength – even Aaron looked like he had been to the gym, pushing people away!

But then came the second half, with Arsenal piling on the pressure and scoring – intriguingly from set pieces rather from flowing attacks, as is their wont. And now I simply cannot refrain from pointing out that even if we still haven’t managed to beat Arsenal in the league, even if they did end up dominating a lot of this game (as well as pretty much all of the away game...) and even if they have put five goals past us, it has taken some creative refereeing to aid them. An offside goal and two penalties that shouldn’t have been given in the away game and two dodgy free kicks in this one. Now I happen to be very fond of Thomas Rosicky, I think he is a wonderful football player and I fully expected him to inflict serious damage today - but not like this. Please tell me if I’m wrong, but as far as I could see he just dived. I’m not even sure who was supposed to have taken him down. The ensuing, well taken, free kick was kicked in by Toure past Robinson (who, like Chimbonda, should have done better, really). And Toure was challenged by Tom Huddlestone, but oh dear did he make the most of it. Again – well taken free kick and well headed by Adebayor, who had missed his fair share of chances. Now, I’m not really complaining about the decisions as such – stuff happens and they had loads of other opportunities– I just get some little gratification from the fact that they have needed this assistance to score. Loads of opportunities don’t mean goals, after all. We still need to work on the defending against set pieces, though… The defence, while not as strong as it could, and indeed should, be still looked a lot better. The King is back and Rocha actually wasn’t half bad as left-back, considering it is an emergency solution. Chimbonda, however, looks a bit tired – he has played a lot of games and not everyone can be blessed with Michael Dawson’s constitution… Thankfully Jenas is hitting great form to create some balance.

Speaking of which – what a way to end the game! Chimbonda – Jenas – Malbranque – and Jenas scores. With practically the last kick of the match. Yup, injury time game changers. It’s our new thing. Entertainment and all.