Chelsea 2-2 Reading
Chelsea squandered two priceless Premiership points against
Reading.
Didier Drogba headed Chelsea in front from Frank Lampard's corner
seven minutes before half-time.
But Reading responded after the break and it was no surprise when
Leroy Lita headed a deserved equaliser from Glen Little's cross
after 67 minutes.
Drogba's header swiftly restored Chelsea's lead, but Reading
levelled after 85 minutes, Ashley Cole's clearance flying in off
Michael Essien.
Chelsea had twice scrambled late winners at Wigan and Everton in
their last two Premiership games but there was to be no reprieve
this time as Reading claimed a point.
Reading's Stephen Hunt, who was involved in the controversial
collision that resulted in a fractured skull for Chelsea keeper
Petr Cech earlier this season, was left out of the starting
line-up.
Chelsea drafted in Andriy Shevchenko and Wayne Bridge for Arjen
Robben and Ashley Cole, with John Terry sidelined again with a back
injury.
And the champions dominated the opening 45 minutes, with Drogba
inevitably the spearhead.
He played in Frank Lampard after only two minutes but his half-hit
shot rolled tamely wide.
And Drogba then forced a fine save from Reading keeper Marcus
Hahnemann, who dived at his feet to smother a shot after a clever
pass from Shevchenko.
Drogba was denied again after 28 minutes when Hahnemann saved low
to his left as he flicked on Lampard's free-kick.
But he was not to be thwarted as Chelsea took the lead.
Drogba outmuscled Hahnemann and Reading defender Ibrahima Sonko to
head in Lampard's corner.
Reading opened with a much greater sense of purpose and ambition
after the break, with Brynjar Gunnarsson's cross deflecting
dangerously across the goal after taking a deflection off Ricardo
Carvalho.
Steve Sidwell then gave Chelsea keeper Hilario a scare with a
right-foot shot that flew into the side-netting.
A sign of Chelsea's struggles came after 57 minutes when
Shevchenko, who had again looked desperately off the pace, was
replaced by Wright-Phillips.
Chelsea had been totally subdued since half-time and it was no
surprise when Reading drew level after 67 minutes.
Little's cross was inviting from the right-flank, and Lita dived
forward to head past Hilario with ease.
Mourinho responded with an instant double substitution, sending on
Mikel Jon Obi and Cole for Geremi and Bridge.
And Reading's joy lasted only five minutes before Chelsea were in
front again, Drogba heading in Wright-Phillips' cross at the far
post.
Reading's most reliable marksman Kevin Doyle then wasted a glorious
opportunity to restore equality again, shooting wildly over when
unmarked from only eight yards.
Steve Coppell's side had done themselves huge credit in the second
period, and Gunnarsson was again only inches away with another
header.
And they equalised in farcical fashion with five minutes left when
Cole's attempt to clear Doyle's cross flew past Hilario off
Essien.
