READING V EVERTON
Everton’s winning start to the season ended at the Madejski Stadium where Reading won 1-0.
Stephen Hunt’s 44th minute goal settled the match to give the home side their first win of the campaign.
In truth it was a poor contest with little to brighten it although Everton almost nicked a point just before the end when both James McFadden and Andrew Johnson hit the post.
There was plenty of energy but precious little end product for the opening 10 minutes as both sides sized each other up.
Andy Johnson in action against Reading
Everton nearly scored in the 11th minute when a deep Tony Hibbert centre was cushioned into the path of Andrew Johnson by Mikel Arteta. Johnson’s snapshot was darting towards the top corner when it was diverted away for a corner by Andre Bikey.
Then Kevin Doyle stretched Tim Howard with a low shot that the Everton keeper dived low to save.
Man of the moment, Leon Osman, came into the game with a curling effort that drifted over the bar and then a close-range attempt that was charged down.
Johnson and Anichebe were largely well-shackled in the opening period although the former did find enough space to drill a shot just wide eight minutes before the break.
Leon Osman battles his way through the Reading defence
The only goal came a minute before the half-time whistle. There seemed little danger when a right-wing cross bounced inside the Everton penalty area but Stephen Hunt darted into space and steered a neat finish past Howard.
It was a strangely sluggish Everton in the early period of the second half and David Moyes was forced into a reshuffle when Victor Anichebe limped off to be replaced by Steven Pienaar.
On 67, Mikel Arteta floated a free-kick into the Reading box that was flapped at and missed by Marcus Hahnemann but Andre Mikey was on hand to clear the loose ball away from his own goal-line.
England international Nicky Shorey cracked a well-controlled volley goalwards in the 75th minute but Joleon Lescott stood firm and headed the ball from danger.
When it came back into the Everton box, Alan Stubbs guided it safely back to Howard who was challenged heavily by Ivar Ingimarsson, earning the Icelandic striker a booking.
Joleon Lescott powers past Graeme Murty
There was an amazing let-off for Reading in the 85th minute when McFadden’s exquisite chip rebounded off the post with Hahnemann beaten and then Johnson also struck the woodwork with the follow-up effort.
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