Source: Daily_Mail
Reading 1 West Brom 0: Shane Long gives 10-man Baggies a Royal hiding
Brian McDermott is confident he canhang on to Shane Long during the transfer window after the Irishmanstole the glory in another Reading FA Cup giant-killing.[LNB] Last season, Long scored the third-round winner at Anfield to launch the club towards the quarter-finals. [LNB]Yesterday, the 23-year-old Republic of Ireland international was at it again, scoring the only goal.[LNB] Hit man: Shane Long scores for Reading[LNB][LNB]'I'm expecting to keep Shane,' said McDermott. 'I have a good relationship with him. [LNB][LNB]'He's playing games week-in andweek-out and he's getting rewards for the hard work he's put in. He's agreat character and he's scoring the goals.' [LNB]Long made the difference as Albionslumped to a sixth successive defeat and were knocked out by Readingfor the second successive season.[LNB]Marching orders: Jonas Olsson is sent off by referee Jon Moss[LNB]They also finished the match with 10 men after substitute Jonas Olsson was sent off early in the second half for two bookable offences. [LNB]Yet, it might have been so different had two crucial decisions gone West Brom's Dayway in the first 20 minutes.[LNB] Referee Jonathan Moss left the crowd and players baffled when he failed to give a penalty after Ishmael Miller was brought down by Ian Harte.[LNB] Even McDermott admitted it looked like a spot-kick. When Miller subsequently got the ball in the net, it was ruled out for a foul on goalkeeper Adam Federici. [LNB]Albion assistant manager Eddie Newton said: 'If Ishmael had been given a penalty and the goal had stood it could have been a different story.' [LNB]By this time Reading, in talks with Plymouth's Bradley Wright-Phillips, were looking the more effective team. [LNB]Boaz Myhill, replacing the dropped Scott Carson produced a thrilling save to keep out Noel Hunt's close-range header and Long scooped an off-balance volley over the bar. [LNB]But the Irishman showed his finishing quality with his 11th goal of the season four minutes before the break, racing on to Hunt's headed flick to shoot across Myhill into the bottom corner. [LNB] West Brom close in on Aston Villa striker John CarewWoking still remembered for humbling of mighty West Brom 20 years onAll the latest West Bromwich Albion news, features and opinion[LNB] Explore more:People: Brian McDermott, Jonas Olsson, Ian Harte, Bradley Wright-Phillips, Adam Federici Places: Republic of Ireland
