Israel Saria
Championship side Reading sensationally dumped Liverpool out of the FA Cup with a stunning 2-1 extra-time third round replay victory at Anfield.
Shane Long scored the dramatic winner in the first period of extra-time, the Irishman heading in Brynjar Gunnarsson‘s right-wing cross to break Liverpool hearts.
The striker had earlier been involved in Reading’s injury-time penalty equaliser: Long was fouled by Yossi Benayoun as he tried to turn in the penalty area.
Gylfi Sigurdsson took the replay into extra-time by scoring an incredibly cool injury-time penalty, sending Diego Cavalieri the wrong way.
Earlier Liverpool had gone ahead in first-half added-time when Ryan Bertrand deflected Steven Gerrard‘s cross into his own goal.
Reading should have scored at least once in the first half. Gregor Rasiak missed a glorious chance from six yards after Jamie Carragher inexplicably stepped over a teasing Simon Church cross from the right wing.
Church himself nearly scored moments later. Jobi McAnuff sent over a delicious ball from the right at which Church hurled himself; however the Welsh forward failed to make contact with his head when, had he done so, he surely would have scored.
The second half continued in the same vein with Liverpool’s chances few and far between while Reading carved out the clearer opportunities.
Liverpool’s Alberto Aquilani could have put the result beyond doubt but he headed wide from eight yards.
Ivar Ingimarsson and Church both had wonderful headed chances while Jobi McAnuff had Anfield on its feet as he danced through the Liverpool defence after running 60 yards only to push his shot wide of the post.
Even when trailing in extra time Liverpool might still have saved themselves, but Benayoun shot straight at Adam Federici in the Reading goal when clean through in the second period.
The Royals saw the game through and will next face Burnley in the fourth round.
Mark Applin / Eurosport
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