Chelsea vs. Reading: Score, Highlights and Grades
Chelsea salvaged three points in its second English Premier League fixture with some help from the officials and defeated Reading 4-2 at Stamford Bridge.
The first half started as expected, but took a wild and unexpected turn. The Blues dominated possession and certainly were the aggressors, but Reading was remarkably sharp in the attacking third of the pitch and went into the club house with the lead.
Eden Hazard continued to be a terror for outside defenders, cutting into the box before being taken down by Reading’s Chris Gunter in the 18th minute. Frank Lampard’s thundering strike from the penalty spot ensured that Gunter’s mistake did not go unpunished.
It appeared as if it would be a long night for the new-boys, but Pavel Pogrebnyak proved that his goal-scoring form has not gone away after his phenomenal header traveled past Petr Cech’s outstretched arms in the 25th minute. Four minutes later, it proved to be the Chelsea keeper who was in for a frustrating fixture, as Danny Guthrie skipped a free kick off of Cech and into the net.
In the second half, Reading's defense was not able to hold when Gary Cahill's strike from distance slipped under Adam Federici in the 69th minute.
The Blues then moved ahead when Fernando Torres tapped in a cross from Ashley Cole in the 81st minute. The goal was controversial as Torres was clearly offside when the ball was passed. Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic tapped the ball into an empty net in stoppage time when Reading had called Federici forward for a corner kick.
Highlights
Pogrebnyak made an extremely difficult goal seem simple. The Russian international timed his run to perfection before turning his head onto the ball at a precise angle to direct Garath McCleary’s cross into the net.
McCleary deserves a fair amount of credit as well for his firmly driven cross, which made scoring from that far out possible. Still, this was a technical finish from a lethal goal-scorer. Reading supporters will look forward to more highlights of this nature from “Pog” in the future.
The replay shows that Torres was undoubtedly offside. This was a case of atrocious officiating, and Reading have every right to feel cheated by the result.
The team played well enough to earn a draw, but this mistake by the linesman deflated the Royal's morale, and Chelsea escaped with a victory.
Grades
Eden Hazard, Chelsea: A
Hazard continued to his exciting start to his Premier League career. The £32 million man has looked to be worth every penny, with his fantastic dribbling skills and dangerous passing.
Two defenders were not enough to keep him out of the dangerous position that led to Gunter’s foul and Lampard’s successful penalty. He continued to perform as advertised for the Blues, and it appears that he will be a star in England.
Pavel Pogrebnyak, Reading: A
This was not a pretty performance from Reading, but Brian McDermott had his side execute the tactics necessary to challenge the European champions.
Reading did not mind Chelsea’s massive advantage in possession. As the Blues controlled the ball for 72 percent of the match, according to ESPN, the Royals were content to fall back in the box and trust in their center forward to deliver on one of his few chances. The club’s marquee summer signing did just that with his fantastic finish.
Petr Cech, Chelsea: C-
Cech was an instrumental part of Chelsea’s late season surge last year that carried them to the FA Cup and Champions League titles. But now, he is the main reason that the Blues nearly dropped points to a newly promoted team.
Guthrie’s dipping free kick was not as easy of a save as it appeared to be. Shots that bounce right at the keepers’ feet are often difficult to catch (as Gary Cahill proved later in the match), but Cech should never have let it deflect into the net.
He also could have done better on Pogrebnyak’s header. This was a superb effort from the Reading striker, but any time a player scores with his head from that far out, the keeper should be disappointed with himself.
Danny Guthrie, Reading: B+
After watching this match, one would have to say that Reading had a fine summer. Guthrie may have been aided by a little luck in getting on the score sheet, but he still had an excellent match.
He was able to play his teammates into threatening positions while flying around the midfield and winning balls. After being kept on the Newcastle bench for two seasons, Guthrie looks ready to make his mark on the Premiership.
Fernando Torres: B-
This grade could have easily been lower had it not been for the assistant referee’s help. Torres was clearly in an offside position when he scored Chelsea’s winning goal.
The Blues are relying on Torres to step up his play after Didier Drogba’s exit, and he did not inspire confidence during this match. He was tentative on the ball, and failed to truly put pressure on the Reading center backs.
Torres was extremely fortunate to be in the wrong place and the right time. Chelsea did not deserve three points in this match and the Spaniard did not earn his goal.
