Man United hold on for FA win at Reading

Tuesday, February 27, 2007 

Reading F.C.

2

3

Manchester United

Match Stats

Attendance	23821
Goalscorers for Reading F.C.	Kitson (23'), Lita (84')
Goalscorers for Manchester United	Heinze (2'), Saha (4'), Solskaer (6')
Bookings (Reading F.C.)	de la Cruz (Yellow(20')), Bikey (Yellow (62'))
Bookings (Manchester United)	None

Reading and Manchester United clashed today in a fifth round FA cup replay at the Madjeski Stadium. Neither team fielded a full strength side, with Leroy Lita and Steven Hunt von the bench for Reading, and Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney as substitutes for United.

United started the game with a blitz, scoring 3 goals in the first 6 minutes. Gabriel Heinze started the scoring by shooting in a John O'Shea cross. Two minutes later, Louis Saha received a long ball from Rio Ferdinand and sent the ball into the back of the net, doubling the lead. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer then scored the 3rd, as he beat the offside trap and curled the ball into the net. Reading did not give up the fight, and scored on 23 minutes, when Dave Kitson headed home an Ingimarson cross. The game stayed at the 3-1 scoreline for much of the rest of the game, until 84 minutes, when Leroy Lita scored to force an edgy finish. Litas powerful header off a Glen Little cross left keeper Edwin Van Der Sar helpless, leaving Reading in sight of extra time. A shot by Brynjar Gunnarsson which rattled of the crossbar could have caused an amazing comeback, but Manchester United were able to hold on, and advance to the sixth round of the FA cup.

Manchester will face Middlesbrough in the next round, who defeated West Bromwich Albion today after a penalty shootout.

Sources

• Alex Livie. "United Battle for Cup Victory" — Sky Sports, February 17, 2007