Reading 2 West Brom 2: Scorer Robert Koren denies 'selfish' tag

15 February 2010 01:07
Robert Koren feels he silenced the criticisms from his manager Roberto Di Matteo in the first match since their bust-up. [LNB]Koren refused to shake Di Matteo's hand when substituted in West Bromwich's previous game and was initially left out here. [LNB]Di Matteo called him 'selfish' but, during the warm-up, Koren was suddenly told he was playing and went on to score. It could have been even better as he also hit a post from 25 yards. [LNB] Early bird: Reading's Jimmy Kebe scores the opening goal[LNB]QUICK BUT NOT THE QUICKEST Timed at 9.7sec, Jimmy Kebe's goal for Reading was the fastest-ever in the FA Cup proper, but Gareth Morris's four-second strike for Ashton United in the qualifying round in 2001 is the competition's quickest.[LNB]'People know that I'm not selfish,' said Koren. 'I had opportunities to move on but, in the end, we decided that I will stay and try my best for the team and get us into the Premier League.' [LNB]Koren scored West Brom's first equaliser and Joe Mattock, 19, delivered their second with under five minutes left. [LNB]Reading scored after only nine seconds. Gianni Zuiverloon struggled to control a bobbling ball on a poor surface, leading to Jimmy Kebe dispossessing him and squeezing the ball past Scott Carson, but Albion responded in the 18th minute with Koren's effort. [LNB] Hitting back: Robert Koren (second left) celebrates scoring[LNB]Reading were in more trouble in the 48th minute as Shane Long was sent off for a senseless, studs-up challenge on Abdoulaye Meite. Long said: 'It was frustrating up front and the ref (Chris Foy) didn't help me out.' [LNB]Foy made his mark again when he harshly showed a second yellow card to Youssuf Mulumbu. With numerical parity restored, Reading brought on Grzegorz Rasiak. The Polish striker took advantage of a rare appearance by chipping the ball forward for Simon Church, who broke away and scored in the 72nd minute. [LNB]With Long suspended, Rasiak's prospects suddenly look rosier. He said: 'I just have to take my opportunities.' [LNB]That goal seemed to have sealed Reading's first quarter-final appearance in 83 years. Sadly for them, Mattock delivered the final twist. [LNB] Derby 1 Birmingham 2: Fabio Capello must pick Joe Hart for England NOW, insists Alex McLeishFulham 4 Notts County 0: Bobby Zamora gives a reality check to League Two dreamers Crystal Palace 2 Aston Villa 2: Stiliyan Petrov keeps Villa in FA Cup with dramatic late equaliserSouthampton 1 Portsmouth 4: Pompey cash in with late flurry 

Source: Daily_Mail