LIVE MATCH CENTRE
19 January, 2013
| Newcastle United |
FT
12
|
Reading |
Yohan Cabaye 35'
1 - 0
1 - 1
Adam Le Fondre 71'
1 - 2
Adam Le Fondre 77'
HT:
1 - 0
St. James' Park (Attendance: 49,411)
Newcastle United
Tim Krul
1
Mathieu Debuchy
26
Mike Williamson
6
Fabricio Coloccini
2
Davide Santon
3
Yohan Cabaye
4
Vurnon Anita
8
Shola Ameobi
23
Sylvain Marveaux
22
Jonás Gutiérrez
18
Papiss Cisse
9
Substitutes
James Perch
14
Gael Bigirimana
20
Gabriel Obertan
25
Steven Taylor
27
Robert Elliot
21
Nile Ranger
30
Sammy Ameobi
28
Reading
1
Adam Federici
27
Stephen Kelly
5
Alex Pearce
6
Adrian Mariappa
23
Ian Harte
20
Danny Guthrie
8
Mikele Leigertwood
14
Jimmy Kebe
11
Jobi McAnuff
12
Garath McCleary
7
Pavel Pogrebnyak
Substitutes
28
Hope Akpan
9
Adam Le Fondre
10
Noel Hunt
41
Stuart Taylor
2
Chris Gunter
4
Jem Karacan
15
Sean Morrison
Referee: Andre Marriner
90'
Game Over
Newcastle United 1-2 Reading
90'
Throw-In
Stephen Kelly (Reading)
90'
Cross
Gael Bigirimana (Newcastle United)
90'
Throw-In
Gael Bigirimana (Newcastle United)
90'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - Jimmy Kebe (Reading)
90'
Foul
Fabricio Coloccini fouled by Jimmy Kebe (Reading)
90'
Shot on Target
Gabriel Obertan (Newcastle United)
90'
Cross
Gael Bigirimana (Newcastle United)
90'
Cross
Jimmy Kebe (Reading)
90'
Cross
Pavel Pogrebnyak (Reading)
90'
Cross
Gael Bigirimana (Newcastle United)
90'
Throw-In
Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle United)
90'
Cross
Davide Santon (Newcastle United)
90'
Cross
Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle United)
90'
Shot
Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United)
90'
Throw-In
Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle United)
90'
Cross
Jonás Gutiérrez (Newcastle United)
90'
Throw-In
Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle United)
90'
Throw-In
Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle United)
90'
Offside
Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United)
90'
Throw-In
Davide Santon (Newcastle United)
90'
Throw-In
Davide Santon (Newcastle United)
89'
Shot
Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United)
89'
Cross
Gael Bigirimana (Newcastle United)
89'
Cross
Jonás Gutiérrez (Newcastle United)
89'
Throw-In
Davide Santon (Newcastle United)
88'
Throw-In
James Perch (Newcastle United)
88'
Goal Kick
Adam Federici (Reading)
87'
Shot
Papiss Cisse (Newcastle United)
87'
Cross
Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle United)
86'
Throw-In
Gael Bigirimana (Newcastle United)
86'
Cross
Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle United)
86'
Cross
Gael Bigirimana (Newcastle United)
86'
Cross
Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle United)
85'
Foul
Pavel Pogrebnyak fouled by Mike Williamson (Newcastle United)
84'
Cross
Gabriel Obertan (Newcastle United)
84'
Foul
Gael Bigirimana fouled by Jobi McAnuff (Reading)
84'
Throw-In
Ian Harte (Reading)
83'
Corner Kick
Ian Harte (Reading)
82'
Offside
Davide Santon (Newcastle United)
82'
Throw-In
Davide Santon (Newcastle United)
81'
Cross
Jonás Gutiérrez (Newcastle United)
81'
Cross
Jonás Gutiérrez (Newcastle United)
80'
Substitution
Gabriel Obertan on for Vurnon Anita (Newcastle United)
80'
Offside
Papiss Cisse (Newcastle United)
80'
Cross
Vurnon Anita (Newcastle United)
80'
Cross
Hope Akpan (Reading)
80'
Cross
Hope Akpan (Reading)
79'
Cross
Ian Harte (Reading)
79'
Free Kick
Ian Harte (Reading)
79'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle United)
79'
Foul
Jobi McAnuff fouled by Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle United)
77'
Goal
Adam Le Fondre (Reading), Assist by Hope Akpan
77'
Shot on Target
Adam Le Fondre (Reading)
77'
Shot
Hope Akpan (Reading)
77'
Cross
Jobi McAnuff (Reading)
77'
Throw-In
Ian Harte (Reading)
76'
Foul
Jobi McAnuff fouled by Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United)
76'
Foul
Gael Bigirimana fouled by Hope Akpan (Reading)
75'
Cross
Jimmy Kebe (Reading)
75'
Goal Kick
Adam Federici (Reading)
74'
Throw-In
Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle United)
74'
Goal Kick
Adam Federici (Reading)
74'
Substitution
Gael Bigirimana on for Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle United)
73'
Shot
Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle United)
73'
Cross
Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle United)
73'
Cross
Vurnon Anita (Newcastle United)
72'
Cross
Vurnon Anita (Newcastle United)
72'
Throw-In
Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle United)
71'
Goal
Adam Le Fondre (Reading), Assist by Jimmy Kebe
71'
Shot on Target
Adam Le Fondre (Reading)
71'
Cross
Jimmy Kebe (Reading)
71'
Cross
Mikele Leigertwood (Reading)
71'
Throw-In
Stephen Kelly (Reading)
70'
Throw-In
Davide Santon (Newcastle United)
70'
Substitution
Adam Le Fondre on for Danny Guthrie (Reading)
70'
Cross
Danny Guthrie (Reading)
69'
Cross
Alex Pearce (Reading)
69'
Cross
Ian Harte (Reading)
69'
Free Kick
Ian Harte (Reading)
69'
Foul
Jobi McAnuff fouled by Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle United)
68'
Throw-In
Stephen Kelly (Reading)
67'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - Stephen Kelly (Reading)
67'
Foul
Jonás Gutiérrez fouled by Stephen Kelly (Reading)
66'
Cross
Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle United)
66'
Free Kick
Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle United)
65'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - Danny Guthrie (Reading)
65'
Foul
Yohan Cabaye fouled by Danny Guthrie (Reading)
65'
Throw-In
Davide Santon (Newcastle United)
65'
Substitution
James Perch on for Sylvain Marveaux (Newcastle United)
64'
Substitution
Hope Akpan on for Garath McCleary (Reading)
63'
Throw-In
Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle United)
63'
Goal Kick
Tim Krul (Newcastle United)
62'
Shot
Pavel Pogrebnyak (Reading)
62'
Cross
Jimmy Kebe (Reading)
62'
Cross
Danny Guthrie (Reading)
62'
Cross
Sylvain Marveaux (Newcastle United)
61'
Cross
Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle United)
61'
Cross
Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle United)
61'
Cross
Ian Harte (Reading)
60'
Cross
Sylvain Marveaux (Newcastle United)
60'
Throw-In
Ian Harte (Reading)
60'
Cross
Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle United)
59'
Cross
Alex Pearce (Reading)
58'
Cross
Davide Santon (Newcastle United)
58'
Goal Kick
Tim Krul (Newcastle United)
57'
Shot
Danny Guthrie (Reading)
57'
Free Kick
Danny Guthrie (Reading)
56'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - Mike Williamson (Newcastle United)
56'
Foul
Jimmy Kebe fouled by Mike Williamson (Newcastle United)
56'
Goal Kick
Adam Federici (Reading)
56'
Shot
Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle United)
55'
Cross
Papiss Cisse (Newcastle United)
55'
Shot
Mike Williamson (Newcastle United)
55'
Corner Kick
Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle United)
54'
Cross
Davide Santon (Newcastle United)
54'
Throw-In
Ian Harte (Reading)
54'
Cross
Stephen Kelly (Reading)
54'
Throw-In
Stephen Kelly (Reading)
53'
Foul
Danny Guthrie fouled by Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle United)
53'
Goal Kick
Adam Federici (Reading)
52'
Shot
Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United)
52'
Cross
Sylvain Marveaux (Newcastle United)
52'
Corner Kick
Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle United)
51'
Cross
Davide Santon (Newcastle United)
51'
Throw-In
Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle United)
51'
Cross
Papiss Cisse (Newcastle United)
51'
Cross
Ian Harte (Reading)
51'
Free Kick
Ian Harte (Reading)
50'
Foul
Pavel Pogrebnyak fouled by Mike Williamson (Newcastle United)
49'
Throw-In
Ian Harte (Reading)
48'
Throw-In
Ian Harte (Reading)
48'
Goal Kick
Tim Krul (Newcastle United)
48'
Shot
Garath McCleary (Reading)
48'
Cross
Jobi McAnuff (Reading)
48'
Corner Kick
Danny Guthrie (Reading)
47'
Cross
Ian Harte (Reading)
47'
Free Kick
Ian Harte (Reading)
47'
Foul
Danny Guthrie fouled by Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle United)
46'
Throw-In
Ian Harte (Reading)
46'
Cross
Ian Harte (Reading)
46'
Start Half
45'
Half Over
Newcastle United 1-0 Reading
45'
Cross
Stephen Kelly (Reading)
45'
Throw-In
Stephen Kelly (Reading)
45'
Throw-In
Ian Harte (Reading)
45'
Cross
Vurnon Anita (Newcastle United)
45'
Cross
Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United)
44'
Throw-In
Davide Santon (Newcastle United)
44'
Throw-In
Stephen Kelly (Reading)
43'
Cross
Davide Santon (Newcastle United)
43'
Cross
Mikele Leigertwood (Reading)
42'
Throw-In
Sylvain Marveaux (Newcastle United)
42'
Throw-In
Ian Harte (Reading)
41'
Shot
Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United)
41'
Cross
Papiss Cisse (Newcastle United)
40'
Throw-In
Davide Santon (Newcastle United)
40'
Cross
Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle United)
40'
Cross
Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle United)
39'
Cross
Stephen Kelly (Reading)
38'
Cross
Ian Harte (Reading)
38'
Free Kick
Ian Harte (Reading)
38'
Foul
Garath McCleary fouled by Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle United)
37'
Throw-In
Ian Harte (Reading)
37'
Throw-In
Ian Harte (Reading)
35'
Goal
Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle United)
35'
Shot on Target
Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle United)
35'
Free Kick
Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle United)
33'
Foul
Sylvain Marveaux fouled by Adrian Mariappa (Reading)
33'
Throw-In
Davide Santon (Newcastle United)
32'
Goal Kick
Adam Federici (Reading)
31'
Corner Kick
Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle United)
30'
Corner Kick
Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle United)
30'
Shot on Target
Papiss Cisse (Newcastle United)
30'
Cross
Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle United)
30'
Cross
Vurnon Anita (Newcastle United)
29'
Offside
Jobi McAnuff (Reading)
29'
Cross
Pavel Pogrebnyak (Reading)
29'
Shot
Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle United)
29'
Cross
Sylvain Marveaux (Newcastle United)
28'
Shot on Target
Papiss Cisse (Newcastle United)
28'
Cross
Sylvain Marveaux (Newcastle United)
28'
Cross
Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle United)
28'
Free Kick
Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle United)
28'
Foul
Shola Ameobi fouled by Alex Pearce (Reading)
27'
Goal Kick
Tim Krul (Newcastle United)
27'
Shot
Pavel Pogrebnyak (Reading)
27'
Cross
Garath McCleary (Reading)
26'
Cross
Sylvain Marveaux (Newcastle United)
26'
Corner Kick
Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle United)
26'
Cross
Papiss Cisse (Newcastle United)
25'
Cross
Papiss Cisse (Newcastle United)
25'
Offside
Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United)
25'
Cross
Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle United)
25'
Free Kick
Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle United)
24'
Foul
Shola Ameobi fouled by Mikele Leigertwood (Reading)
24'
Cross
Stephen Kelly (Reading)
24'
Throw-In
Stephen Kelly (Reading)
23'
Cross
Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle United)
22'
Throw-In
Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle United)
22'
Goal Kick
Adam Federici (Reading)
22'
Shot
Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle United)
22'
Cross
Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle United)
22'
Free Kick
Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle United)
21'
Foul
Jonás Gutiérrez fouled by Stephen Kelly (Reading)
21'
Throw-In
Ian Harte (Reading)
20'
Throw-In
Ian Harte (Reading)
20'
Throw-In
Ian Harte (Reading)
19'
Cross
Davide Santon (Newcastle United)
19'
Cross
Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle United)
19'
Throw-In
Ian Harte (Reading)
17'
Cross
Jonás Gutiérrez (Newcastle United)
17'
Cross
Mikele Leigertwood (Reading)
17'
Cross
Mike Williamson (Newcastle United)
16'
Goal Kick
Adam Federici (Reading)
16'
Shot
Vurnon Anita (Newcastle United)
16'
Corner Kick
Sylvain Marveaux (Newcastle United)
15'
Shot on Target
Papiss Cisse (Newcastle United)
15'
Cross
Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle United)
15'
Cross
Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle United)
15'
Throw-In
Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United)
15'
Cross
Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle United)
15'
Shot on Target
Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle United)
15'
Cross
Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle United)
14'
Throw-In
Stephen Kelly (Reading)
14'
Shot on Target
Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle United)
13'
Cross
Davide Santon (Newcastle United)
12'
Cross
Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United)
12'
Cross
Sylvain Marveaux (Newcastle United)
12'
Cross
Jimmy Kebe (Reading)
12'
Cross
Mikele Leigertwood (Reading)
12'
Shot
Sylvain Marveaux (Newcastle United)
12'
Throw-In
Davide Santon (Newcastle United)
11'
Cross
Davide Santon (Newcastle United)
11'
Cross
Sylvain Marveaux (Newcastle United)
11'
Cross
Fabricio Coloccini (Newcastle United)
11'
Throw-In
Jonás Gutiérrez (Newcastle United)
11'
Throw-In
Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle United)
10'
Throw-In
Stephen Kelly (Reading)
9'
Cross
Sylvain Marveaux (Newcastle United)
8'
Throw-In
Stephen Kelly (Reading)
8'
Throw-In
Stephen Kelly (Reading)
8'
Cross
Davide Santon (Newcastle United)
6'
Throw-In
Stephen Kelly (Reading)
6'
Cross
Vurnon Anita (Newcastle United)
6'
Cross
Jonás Gutiérrez (Newcastle United)
4'
Cross
Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle United)
4'
Free Kick
Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle United)
4'
Foul
Shola Ameobi fouled by Ian Harte (Reading)
4'
Goal Kick
Tim Krul (Newcastle United)
3'
Cross
Jimmy Kebe (Reading)
3'
Cross
Ian Harte (Reading)
3'
Free Kick
Ian Harte (Reading)
2'
Foul
Pavel Pogrebnyak fouled by Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle United)
2'
Throw-In
Ian Harte (Reading)
1'
Cross
Sylvain Marveaux (Newcastle United)
1'
Cross
Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United)
1'
Cross
Vurnon Anita (Newcastle United)
1'
Start Half

At half time, I wouldn't have bet on Reading even getting a thing from this game. The Royals were fortunate to be only one goal behind due to the heroics of Adam Federici, and Newcastle were firmly in control. Yohan Cabaye's free kick was superb and deserved to go in, and Reading seemed to have no reply. But cometh the hour, cometh the man and up stepped Adam Le Fondre to secure the points for his side. His first was dubious, turning home from the floor after he lost his footing, but his second was a brilliant half-volley from Jimmy Kebe's cross. The Newcastle fans were not happy that Yohan Cabaye was withdrawn in the second period, despite the signs of him carrying an injury, and Alan Pardew was roundly booed. The boos continued when the final whistle sounded, with another loss for the Magpies, but Reading will be delighted. Final score Newcastle 1 - 2 Reading.
The referee ends the game, and Reading have all three points. The Newcastle fans aren't happy and jeer their team from the field. Newcastle 1 - 2 Reading.
Jimmy Kebe and Fabricio Coloccini get in each other's face after the Reading man fouled Coloccini. Kebe is booked and protests, but has no right to as he has actually ripped Coloccini's shirt.
Davide Santon swings in a cross from deep on the left, Shola Ameobi heads it down, and Gabriel Obertan shoots straight into the arms of Adam Federici.
Newcastle are giving this everything, and Reading are holding out. This would be a huge win once again for the Royals, and their first ever in the league at Newcastle.
Four minutes are signalled. Squeaky bum time for all concerned.
Reading are holding on here. Their box is packed with players and Gael Bigirimana jinks in from the right, but his cross is turned away by Jimmy Kebe before Shola Ameobi can get there. Kebe's had a great day today.
Is that the chance that Newcastle will rue? Mathieu Debuchy crosses from the right, James Perch knocks it down, and Papiss Cisse has all the time in the world to finish. He controls it, turns, and blazes over the bar. Awful finishing.
Newcastle are pressing forward but they are running out of time.
Mike Williamson is lucky here, as he trips Pavel Pogrebnyak. The Newcastle man is given a long talking to by the referee, and you can't help but think that it could have been a second yellow if it was closer to the Newcastle goal.
Reading left it to the last minute last week to get the win against West Brom, and they have done it a bit earlier this week. Can they hang on, or will Newcastle get back into this?
Gabriel Obertan is the final sub for the home side, taking the place of the quiet Vurnon Anita.
Adam Le Fondre is on fire. The striker now has 10 goals for the season, but five of those have come in his last three games. No wonder the Reading fans are calling for him to start.
Mathieu Debuchy is the next man to be shown the yellow card.
If the first goal was dubious, the second from Adam Le Fondre is definite. Jobi McAnuff swings in a cross from the left and Jimmy Kebe heads it back down. Hope Akpan completely miskicks the ball but Le Fondre is there to turn home. Newcastle 1 - 2 Reading.
HE'S DONE IT ONCE AGAIN!!!!
Yohan Cabaye went straight down the tunnel with the physio after his withdrawal, proving that the boss knows best.
Well, I haven't heard booing like this in some time. Alan Pardew is being rounded upon by his own fans for withdrawing Yohan Cabaye and sending on Gael Bigirimana.
Well, Reading will take this. Mikele Leigertwood sends a superb 50-yard ball out to Kebe on the right, and the winger sends in a good low cross. Adam Le Fondre is bundled over by Mike Williamson but the ball comes off some part of him and rolls in. Replays are proving inconclusive, and it could be a handball, but Reading won't care. Newcastle 1 - 1 Reading.
THE SUPER-SUB DOES IT AGAIN!!!
Super-sub Adam Le Fondre comes on for Danny Guthrie, who doesn't look happy to be withdrawn.
Reading are struggling to make chances for themselves here, and the home side look set for victory.
Stephen Kelly is given a yellow card for another clash with Jonas Gutierrez, this time jumping unfairly with him. It doesn't look good for the Newcastle winger.
James Perch takes the place of Sylvain Marveaux, whilst Hope Akpan comes on for his debut in the place of Garath McCleary.
Danny Guthrie knocks the ball over the top and Jimmy Kebe heads it down for Pavel Pogrebnyak, but the big striker's effort is well over the bar.
The snow is back here in the North East. A light dusting so far, but it is making visibility difficult for the players.
Jonas Gutierrez is down receiving treatment after a knock on the ankle from Stephen Kelly. No malice there from the Reading man.
Danny Guthrie steps up to bend the free kick in, but sends it well over the bar. The Newcastle fans jeer their former midfielder.
Mike Williamson is penalised for a trip on Jimmy Kebe. Needless, considering Fabricio Coloccini was there.
You do feel sorry for Pavel Pogrebnyak. The big Russian has often been used as a lone striker this season and has struggled against big centre backs, and seems to be floundering today with Mike Williamson and Fabricio Coloccini in charge.
Newcastle surge forward on the break and Papiss Cisse gets down the left well. His cross looks destined for the head of Sylvain Marveaux but Adrian Mariappa gets there just in time to head away.
Reading have started this second half well but are lacking quality in the final third. Pavel Pogrebnyak in particular is guilty of giving the ball away all too often.
Yohan Cabaye is lucky to escape a booking after kicking out at Danny Guthrie. Jonas Gutierrez diverts the resulting free kick out for a corner.
Reading, in their all-yellow kit, start the period. No changes from either side.
Newcastle are ahead here thanks to a stunning free kick from Yohan Cabaye. Apart from that, Reading have just about held their hosts with Adam Federici pulling off several key saves to keep his side in it. The Royals have looked dangerous on the counter but will rue giving away a free kick in such a dangerous position, from which Cabaye punished them. Newcastle, and Papiss Cisse in particular, will rue both Federici's good form and their own poor shooting. Let's see what the second half has to offer.
The referee ends the half. Newcastle 1 - 0 Reading.
The game has settled in the last few minutes, with the ball being played around midfield without any real chances. One minute of added time is signalled.
The weather is playing a part in this fixture, no doubt about it. All of the players look cold and the pace of the play is slow. Mathieu Debuchy is showing off that classic combination of short-sleeve shirt and gloves, however.
Reading are pressing forward now, looking to get back into this game, but look exposed at the back. Brian McDermott will want to address that.
That really was a lovely free kick from Yohan Cabaye. Newcastle need players like him back at their best if they are to recover from their recent slump.
Pick that out. Yohan Cabaye shows the Newcastle fans what they've been missing. Adrian Mariappa fouls Sylvain Marveaux on the edge of the 'D' and the referee takes an age to sort out some pushing and shoving. Undeterred, Cabaye bends the ball up and over the wall and into the top corner. Superb stuff. Newcastle 1 - 0 Reading.
NEWCASTLE TAKE THE LEAD!!!!
The hosts are still pressing here but the Reading defence are just about holding on. How long they can do it for, I don't know.
Adam Federici is having an absolute stormer today. Mathieu Debuchy surges down the right and collects a long ball, before playing it across the face of goal for Papiss Cisse. The striker has a seemingly empty net to pass into, but somehow Federici makes himself big to divert it away. Unreal stuff.
Newcastle have another free kick and this time the Reading defence clear, but Sylvain Marveaux chips it back in for Papiss Cisse. The striker is completely unmarked but heads straight into the arms of Adam Federici.
Reading have a glorious chance. Mikele Leigertwood picks out Garath McCleary with another lovely ball and the former Forest man beats Mathieu Debuchy all ends up. His low cross finds Pavel Pogrebnyak but he has to stretch for the shot and it rolls wide of the goal.
Yohan Cabaye bends in a free kick from the right, but Fabricio Coloccini is flagged offside as he gets up to head it.
New boy Mathieu Debuchy gets a rush of blood to the head and listens to the crowd, who urge him to shoot from inside the centre circle. He does, but it falls well short and rolls out for a goal kick.
The heavens have opened and the snow is coming down heavily in Newcastle. Those blue lines aren't such a silly idea now.
Reading are happy to sit back and defend, before moving forward as a unit to give it a go. A good strategy, but it could cost them on the break with Newcastle's pacy players.
Another brilliant stop from Adam Federici. Cabaye lifts a ball over the top and Papiss Cisse runs clear to head goalwards, but the Aussie keeper pulls off a fantastic reflex save to keep it out.
Yohan Cabaye wriggles free of the defence and finds himself one-on-one with Adam Federici, who makes a smart stop from the Frenchman's shot.
Reading hit Newcastle on the counter and Mikele Leigertwood threads a lovely ball through the defence for Jimmy Kebe. The Malian, 29 today, waits for options instead of shooting and is robbed of the ball.
The fans are not their normal lively selves today. Perhaps it's the weather, or maybe the fact that they have seen over 10 minutes of nothing so far.
Alan Pardew, a former Reading player and manager, has never beaten his former side when he has played them in the Premier League. Will that run continue today?
The hosts have had all of the ball and all of the action so far, but Reading have got a good shape and look ready to give it a go should an opportunity present itself.
Jonas Gutierrez and Davide Santon combine well down the left for Newcastle, before the former's cross is easily collected by Adam Federici. Not good from the Argentine.
Yohan Cabaye swings in a free kick from the right and it evades everyone except Mike Williamson, but the centre half loses his footing and cannot get the shot off.
Fabricio Coloccini, whose future on Tyneside is in doubt, receives warm applause from the home fans as he heads clear an Ian Harte free kick.
The lines at St James' Park have been painted blue in anticipation of more bad weather, and the orange coloured ball is ready and waiting should it be needed.
Newcastle start the game, kicking from left to right.
The hosts make three changes to the side that beat West Brom. Stephen Kelly makes his debut in the place of Chris Gunter, whilst Jem Karacan and Daniel Carrico drop out with Garath McCleary and Mikele Leigertwood coming in.
The hosts make two changes, as expected, for the visit of Reading. Yohan Cabaye returns to the centre of the park to replace James Perch, and Shola Ameobi takes the place of Gabriel Obertan, with Papiss Cisse moving out wide.
The most important fact for the home fans is that Reading have never taken a point from them at St James' Park, losing on all seven occassions. The Magpies have outscored the Royals 23-4 in those seven encounters. However, recent form does favour the visitors, with Brian McDermott's men winning two of their last three, compared to Newcastle's one win in 13 league games. Reading have not won away from home this season, and it is facts such as these which mean we are in for an exciting match this afternoon.
Andre Marriner is in charge of this tie today, and the man from the West Midlands is having a somewhat lenient season. He has shown no red cards and 61 yellows in his 19 games, and also officiated the return fixture earlier in the season which ended in a 2-2 draw. The only other time he has taken charge of either of these sides was Newcastle's home loss to Manchester City in December.
Reading new boy Stephen Kelly could make his debut for the club having arrived from Fulham, whilst Hope Akpan is pushing for his first start in the centre of midfield. Daniel Carrico looked short of fitness on his debut against West Brom and could drop to the bench, and Jay Tabb has been told he can leave the club so is unlikely to be involved. Brian McDermott could change strategy and choose to start Adam Le Fondre up front with Pavel Pogrebnyak.
Yohan Cabaye is likely to provide the biggest boost for the home side, having come off the bench in their last fixture against Norwich. The influential Frenchman is set to start, with James Perch the likely candidate to make way. Steven Taylor is fit after an 11-game absence and could return, whilst Shola Ameobi returns after a one-match suspension. Ryan Taylor, Danny Simpson and Dan Gosling are still missing with different complaints, whilst Haris Vuckic is a long-term absentee with a knee problem.
Hello and welcome to today's game between Newcastle United and Reading. Both of these teams are struggling in the league but it is Reading who have the better recent form. Stay with us for team news, facts and stats.