McCarthy heroics deny Swans in Wales

FT: Swansea City 2-2 Reading

The heroics of Reading goalkeeper Alex McCarthy prevented Swansea from producing a sensational comeback at the Liberty Stadium.

The Swans dominated much of the proceedings but had to recover from 2-0 down at half-time to rescue a point.

Furious McDermott  

Despite being second best for the majority of the game, Reading manager Brian McDermott will be furious that his side threw away their best opportunity of recording their first victory back in the Premier League.

Both sides have been struggling for form of late and it was the home side who began as the stronger.

Danny Graham powered a header towards goal but McCarthy tipped the ball over the crossbar, to begin his glorious afternoon.

While McCarthy was in world class form, Michel Vorm had a miserable moment which he will not want to lookback on.

Against the run of play, the visitors took the lead as Pavel Pogrebnyak unleashed a harmless shot from the edge of the area which somehow squirmed past Vorm and into the net.

Moore thrown on to change the game 

Incredibly, the Royals second shot on goal in the first half also merited into a second goal.

On the stroke of half-time, a shot deflected off Angel Rangel and fell nicely into the path of Noel Hunt to double the Royals’ lead with a sweet volley.

Michael Laudrup responded by throwing Luke Moore on for the second half and he created the first chance of a rather one-sided second half. McCarthy had to be at full stretch to deny the striker.

Moore was denied again, when the Reading no.2 managed to grasp his header onto the post. He also was called into action to deny Ashley Williams low shot and a deflected effort by Ki Sung-yeung.

Eventually, Swansea’s persistence paid off. Michu, who had a relatively quiet match met Wayne Routledge’s cross with a diving header which McCarthy could do nothing about.

Routledge gets overdue equaliser  

Although Moore was frustrated yet again by the inspired keeper, the Swans got their equaliser in the last six minutes.

Routledge exchanged passes with Moore and smashed in an unstoppable leveller.

The drama wasn’t over as substitute Pablo Hernandez chipped over the crossbar, while appeals were made by the home supporters against Nicky Shorey for a suspiciously looking handball.

Then in injury time, newly appointed Welsh captain Williams had to head Jem Karacan’s looping header off the goal line to preserve the status quo.

This was a thrilling match and both managers will probably feel content with a point but dismayed not to end up with all three.

By Simon Wright – Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88