Hahnemann keeps Reading's 20-game run in safe hands
QPR 1 Reading
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.They are mindful of last season's collapse when they were among the promotion favourites at Christmas only to go on an 11-game winless run and miss the play-offs.
That is spurring them to wins in tough games such as this pulsating clash, according to their American international keeper Marcus Hahnemann
"Our defence has been outstanding and it has been so easy to play with them. It took a deflection to beat me this time, but that can happen," he said.
"We are confident, but at the back of our minds we're still focused on what happened last season. We had a really bad time. Now we know what we have to do for the whole season and we're not even halfway done. We're giving ourselves a good margin so we are prepared, if and when a couple of bad results happen. I don't think we'll even think about promotion until May."
James Harper gave the Royals a 10th-minute lead before a determined QPR came back through Lee Cook in the 47th minute. The unlikely source of central defender Ivar Ingimarsson headed Reading's winner.
The Championship table is tighter than ever, which is why QPR are not too worried about their play-off hopes despite slipping to 11th. They also showed that they are a half-decent team.
Manager Ian Holloway is giving his players today off after a heavy run of games. Holloway said: "When I speak to them on Tuesday it will be difficult to have a go. All I can think of, after losing to that header, is set-pieces. If anybody scores a header against my team, I like them to have a split eye because that means my marker almost got there. "
Goals: Harper (0-1, 10mins), Cook (1-1, 47), Ingimarsson (1-2, 66)
QPR (4-4-2): Royce; Bignott, Evatt, Shittu, Dyer; Doherty, Langley, Gallen, Cook; Santos, Sturridge (Ainsworth 44). Substitutes not used: Cole (gk), Milanese, Moore, Shimmin.
Reading (4-4-2): Hahnemann; Murty, Sonko, Ingimarsson, Shorey; Little (Oster 64), Harper, Sidwell, Convey (Hunt 71); Kitson , Doyle. Substitutes not used: Stack (gk), Makin, Chukwunyelu-Obinna.
Booked: QPR: Gallen. Reading: Little, Kitson
Referee: A Leake (Lancashire)
Man of the Match: Ingimarsson Attendance: 15,347
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments