Reading hosted title contender Chelsea FC last night, in a “must win” game for both teams. Reading FC entered the match still fighting for survival and 3 points off the Premier League bottom. Chelsea FC, on the other side, were 11 points behind Manchester United – meaning anything less than a win would effectively rule out their title hopes.
Reading started well and held of the European Champions for the majority of the half until Juan Matta opened the scoring in the 45th minute. The lead was extended midway through the second half when a Lampard header in the 66th minute gave a 2-0 lead to the European champions. Reading’s responded immediately as they brought on striker Le Fondre. Le Fondre got a reputation as a “super sub” in recent weeks and again, he lived up to his dubbed nickname once again.
Le Fondre scored the 2:1 in the 87th minute and gave Reading a glimmer of hope. Chelsea tried to hold up the 2:1, but again it was Le Fondre who equalized just seconds before the final whistle. Reading pushed forward for one final attack. A free kick from goalkeeper Adam Federici made its way into a crowded Chelsea penalty area and where the ball fell to an unmarked Le Fondre who struck a well-timed side volley which lobbed the helpless Ross Turnbull to level the scoring at 2-2 in the 95th minute! Le Fondre has now scored 5 goals from coming on as a second half sub in his last three games.
Reading boss Brian McDermott delighted after the game, said: “You definitely didn’t see that coming. But we’ve had it here at the Madejski before with 10 minutes to go. We’ve done it so many times.” Raffael Benitez, on the other side, faces more and more pressure especially since Manchester United won against Southampton with 2:1. Chelsea is now 13 points behind ManUnited and 6 points behind Manchester City.