• Date: Sat 26 April 2008
  • Venue: The JJB Stadium
  • Ref: Atkinson, M
  • Attendance: 19,043

Wigan Athletic vs Reading

Team Lineups

Wigan Athletic

Chris Kirkland
Kevin Kilbane
Paul Scharner
Emmerson Boyce
Mario Melchiot (Ryan Taylor, R, 26)
Luis Antonio Valencia
Wilson Palacios
Jason Koumas
Michael Brown
Emile Heskey (Marlon King, 73)
Marcus Bent (Antoine Sibierski, 64)

Reading

Marcus Hahnemann
Liam Rosenior
Michael Duberry
Ivar Ingimarsson
Nicky Shorey
Kevin Doyle (Glen Little, 69)
Stephen Hunt
Andre Bikey
James Harper
Leroy Lita (Shane Long, 85)
Dave Kitson


Live Text Commentary
Full time
 

The final whistle goes, and an entertaining game ends with both Reading and Wigan unable to get on the scoresheet despite both sides having good chances to do so.

90

King has a chance to end the game with a great chance two minutes into stoppage time, however the shot at the near post brings out a good save from Marcus Hahnemann.

88

Not long until full time now, and Reading fans will be hoping for a repeat of proceedings at the Riverside a few weeks back.

85
Substitution
 

Shane Long does now come on to replace Leroy Lita.

84

Shane Long looks set to come on as Coppell looks for the last roll of the dice.

81

Bikey strikes a free-kick from range, the effort goes through the wall but its safely over the bar.

79

The ball bounces all over the Reading box, and its almost bundled in, however Reading somehow manage to clear the danger.

77

This game has been very open and end-to-end, and one goal from either side could well win it at the JJB.

74

Ryan Taylor makes a great block from Kitson when it looked like Reading could score, and that move was made by Substitute Little.

72
Substitution
 

Marlon King, on his 28th Birthday, replaces Emile Heskey.

71

Michael Duberry has a great chance to score from close range, however he couldn't get any power on the effort and Kirkland saves comfortably.

69
Substitution
 

Glen Little replaces Kevin Doyle in a tatical change.

68
Yellow Card
 

Kevin Kilbane is booked for a foul on Leroy Lita.

68

Marcus Hahnemann makes another great save as the original shot takes a deflection.

65

Heskey headers clear the danger after a dangerous Reading free-kick was lofted in as Lita was lurking nearby.

64
Substitution
 

Antoine Sibierski, who could have appeared in the first half, finally makes his appearance replacing Marcus Bent.

63
Yellow Card
 

Michael Duberry is booked for a foul on Marcus Bent.

61

Antoine Sibierski has been on the sidelines ready to come on for a while, he's been ordered back to bench however as Wigan play on with the same side.

57

Lita receives the ball, turns a defender, and runs towards goal, Lita hits a combination of a cross/shot, and the ball ends up going just wide of the post.

55
Yellow Card
 

Ryan Taylor is booked for a foul on Dave Kitson.

53
Yellow Card
 

Andre Bikey is booked for bringing down Wilson Palacios.

51

The referee awards a free-kick after Harper and Brown tussle, Hunt demonstrates his anger at the decision, but cannot change the referee's mind.

49

Big shout for handball at the ball bounces around the box from a Reading free-kick, but the referee waves play-on.

46

Michael Brown produces a great stop from Marcus Hahnemann, and that is one of the best efforts of the game so far.

Second half
 

The second half begins and Reading will need to improve if they want to achieve all 3 points, but with Wigan in a good spell of form, that will be a difficult task.

Half time
 

Martin Aktkinson ends the half and both sides go into the break with the scores all level, the best chance of the game went to Bent, who's header hit the post.

45

There will be 2 minutes of stoppage time to be played.

42

Reading hold on after a good move and good possession from Wigan, however the final ball in is lacking in quality and the Royals are safe.

40

Half-time is approaching, and a goal from either side now would be vital as Wilson Palacios strikes an effort over the bar.

36

The game has dropped slightly in terms of tempo, however, both sides are still playing open football, which is allowing for a good game.

33

Marcus Hahnemann was sharp off his line and collected a through ball as Bent was bearing down on the goalkeeper.

31
Yellow Card
 

Stephen Hunt is booked after a foul on Wilson Palacios.

30
Yellow Card
 

Nicky Shorey is booked for unsporting behaviour.

30

It appears Antoine Sibierski may make an early appearance, Hesky is trying to run off an injury, and looks doubtful to continue at the moment.

26
Substitution
 

Ryan Taylor replaces Mario Melchiot, who hasn't been able to run off an earlier knock.

25

Reading have gone, before the game today, their longest amount of time in the Premier League without a goal, 6 hours and 11 minutes.

21

Marcus Hahnemann spills the ball, and hearts race before the American can reclaim it, the game is moving on at a good pace, and its making for an exciting game.

17

Doyle attempts a first-time volley after good work from Bikey, however the effort is over the bar, Harper appears to have taken a knock during that move, but he looks set to continue.

15

Doyle attempts a volley on goal, but the effort is high over the bar, and his long dry spell without a goal continues.

13

Wigan have certainly had the better of the game so far as the home side play at a good tempo that Reading cant quite handle at the moment.

9

Liam Rosenior makes a great block from Wilson Palacios after he had shown good skill to get in position for a shot on goal.

7

Marcus Bent heads a wigan corner onto the post! That's the best chance of the game so far.

4

Koumas and Kilbane have already seen a lot of the ball in the opening stages, it seems Wigan will be looking to attack the wings in this crucial encounter.

2

Koumas breaks free of Bikey, but his attempt on goal is high and wide of the mark.

Kickoff
 

The game at the JJB could count a lot towards the final bearings of both teams come the final day of the season, Reading hover just a point off the relegation zone whilst Wigan can confirm saftey with a win.

Awaiting Kickoff
 

Reading make 5 changes from the side that started at Arsenal, and Gunnersson is still out injured as the Royals begin with: Hahnemann, Rosenior, Ingimarsson, Duberry, Shorey, Doyle, Harper, Bikey, Hunt, Lita, Kitson

Awaiting Kickoff
 

Heskey and Bent both return to fitness along with Koumas, who all start, as Wigan begin with: Kirkland, Melchiot, Boyce, Scharner, Kilbane, Valencia, Brown, Palacios, Koumas, Heskey, Bent