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Reading v Birmingham Ratings&Stats
by Ben Blackmore, 22 March 2008

Reading v Birmingham Ratings&Stats

Here are our exclusive player ratings and opta match statistics from Reading's Premier League clash with Birmingham.

The big team news surrounded Birmingham’s in-form front man James McFadden, who was unable to add to his four goals in the last five games due to injury.

As a result, Argentinian magician Mauro Zarate was granted a rare start, while Sebastien Larsson shook off a knee injury in time to feature.

Reading's only change saw top scorer Dave Kitson come in for Shane Long, who found himself back on the bench after his strop at Liverpool.

Andre Bikey proved the match-winner, netting both of The Royals' goals for a crucial three points.

Mauro Zarate netted for Birmingham.

Reading Birmingham
Marcus Hahnemann 7.5 Maik Taylor 6
Liam Rosenior 6 Stephen Kelly 6
Andre Bikey 8 Liam Ridgewell 6.5
Ivar Ingimarsson 6 Radhi Jaidi 5.5
Nicky Shorey 6.5 David Murphy 6
John Oster (OFF 77) 7 Sebastian Larsson 6.5
James Harper 6.5 Fabrice Muamba 6.5
Marek Matejovsky (OFF 81) 7 Mehdi Nafti 6
Stephen Hunt 8.5* Gary McSheffrey (OFF 65) 7
Dave Kitson 5.5 Mikael Forssell (OFF 80) 7
Kevin Doyle 6.5 Mauro Zarate 6.5
Substitutes Substitutes
Shane Long (ON 77) 7 Cameron Jerome (ON 80) 6
Jimmy Kebe Garry O'Connor (ON 65) 6
Kalifa Cisse (ON 81) 6 Damien Johnson
Ibrahima Sonko Stuart Parnaby
Adam Federici Colin Doyle

Reading Team Statistics Birmingham City
2 Goals 1
1 1st Half Goals 0
7 Shots on Target 2
3 Shots off Target 6
5 Blocked Shots 3
8 Corners 7
16 Fouls 15
2 Offsides 4
0 Yellow Cards 1
0 Red Cards 0
59.6 Passing Success 63.2
28 Tackles 16
85.7 Tackles Success 100
51.9 Possession 48.1
52.5 Territorial Advantage 47.5

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Setanta readers' comment of the day

“Quote: 'History recognises the winners, so if you take someone who won the Champions League 20 years ago and ask them who their opponent was, they don't remember." ' Really? Anyone remember with affection the German side that won the World Cup in 1974? They had one gifted player - Beckenbaur (spelling?) the rest were just a good team playing well for each other. The Germans are like Chelsea, they bludgeon their way to finals and trophies but no-one remembers the attractive footbal because there isn't any. Anyone remember the Dutch team that won nothing that year? Cruyff et.al. They were the stars of the tournament with their total football, they are the team that people remember because of the football they played. They are the team that people hold with affection because watching football played with artistry is pleasing and lifts the spirit. Arsenal are more like Brazil. They play attractive football, but don't win everything. Sometimes they do. Arsenal will win again.”

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