Reading boss Noel Hunt was happy with a “positive point” after his play-off chasing side were held to a goalless draw at 10-man Northampton on Saturday.
In a game of few chances, the home side edged the first half as Ben Perry and Dara Costelloe both went close, while Cobblers goalkeeper Lee Burge saved well from Jayden Wareham.
Northampton’s best opportunity fell to Tyler Roberts in the second half but he was denied by Joel Pereira and then Reading so nearly made it three wins in a row after Nesta Guinness-Walker’s red card, Charlie Savage sidefooting wide with four minutes left.
“It’s a positive point for us,” said Hunt, whose side beat Wycombe last Saturday and Shrewsbury in midweek.
“We knew Northampton would be tough. I’ve watched them under (Kevin Nolan) and they’ve been at it since he’s come in. They’re fighting for their lives and we knew they would be right up for it.
“We just needed to find that moment of quality in the final third and I thought we had it when Charlie popped up late on after a good passage of play but it wasn’t to be.
“The pitch was dry and bobbly and it wouldn’t quite sit down but that’s for us to deal with and we needed to do it more throughout the game, not just when they had 10 men.
“The message at half-time was to play quicker and be cleaner and more efficient with our touches but if we can’t play the way we want to, it’s important to do the other side of the game and we were defensively sound.
“We did the basics and fundamentals really well and we’ll take it and that makes it a seven-point week.”
The point takes Northampton five clear of the bottom four with four games to go.
“We always respect the point,” said boss Nolan. “I think, when it was 11 versus 11, we were the more likely team to score. The subs came on and made a difference and Tyler had that chance – it’s a fantastic save by the goalkeeper.
“I felt we could have built a bit of momentum going into the last 10, 15 minutes and who knows what might have happened. The red card changes things but I thought the way the lads managed the game and saw it out was excellent.
“I got hold of a couple of players when we went down to 10 men and we sent on some instructions and they took it on really well. We limited them to only one big chance and you sometimes need a bit of luck and we had it today.
“That’s the only real chance they had and on another day he sticks it in and you go away deflated, but that’s four points from two games against Reading and Peterborough, not a lot of people would have expected that so I’m really pleased with the lads.”
[(Real Madrid CF) Strength]: 1. Real Madrid CF finished 2nd last season and hope to regain the La Liga title this season. This summer, the team boosted their squad strength. Thus, they are motivated to secure the first win in this opener at home.2. Real Madrid CF's two veteran stalwarts, Modric and Lucas Vazquez, have departed one after another. During the offseason, the club signed Trent Alexande...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. What should we do, guys? EPL 1st Wek !! Sesko vs Gyokeres lastnight They must communicate using sign language… Arsenal fans for the 6th year in a row Chelsea dropped points ? Chelsea really do sign anyone these days...Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, originaltrollfootball, FootballLaughss, NoContextChe1)...
Liverpool cool Rodrygo interest after Chiesa's goal heroicsLiverpool have been linked with Rodrygo amid reports he is free to leave Madrid this summer. But after Federico Chiesa came off the bench to score in the Reds' 4-2 win over Bournemouth on Friday, The Mirror states that the Italian will stay at Anfield and a Rodrygo pursuit is unlikely.Palace line-up move for Eze replacement from PL rivalsS...
Chelsea Open to Loaning Out Raheem Sterling Again After Arsenal StrugglesChelsea are reportedly prepared to send Raheem Sterling out on loan once more with permanent transfer options dwindling, following the winger’s underwhelming stint at Arsenal.According to The Telegraph, Chelsea are increasingly willing to let the 30-year-old leave on loan again following his disappointing spell at Arsen...
DONE DEAL: Bournemouth Confirm Signing of Ben Doak From LiverpoolBournemouth have officially confirmed the signing of highly rated winger Ben Doak from Liverpool.The 19-year-old has left his boyhood club to join Bournemouth for a reported fee of 325 million, signing a five-year deal.Doak impressed during his loan spell with Championship side Middlesbrough last season, scoring three goals and provi...
Brentford RAISE Asking Price for Newcastle United Target Yoane WissaBrentford have reportedly raised their asking price for Yoane Wissa with Newcastle United interested in signing the striker this summer.Newcastle are understood to be interested in signing the 28-year-old as speculation surrounds the future of Alexander Isak.According to The Standard, Brentford have made a potential deal harder by...
Chelsea Transfer Issues Stall Alejandro Garnacho Signing Amid Nkunku Exit DelaysChelsea’s pursuit of Alejandro Garnacho is reportedly being held up due to the club not yet finding a permanent home for Christopher Nkunku.According to The Sun, Chelsea’s ‘steep’ asking price for the 27-year-old is stopping them from making more signings this summer.It’s understood that E...
Crystal Palace Eye Shock Move for Wolves Star as Tottenham Close in Eberechi EzeCrystal Palace are reportedly exploring a surprise move for Wolves player Hwang Hee-chan as Tottenham edge closer to securing Eberechi Eze.According to Sky Sport CH, Tottenham are expected to have their 360 million bid for the 27-year-old accepted by Crystal Palace.Despite the speculation surrounding his future, Eze fe...
Inter Milan Plot Shock Move for Man United Goalkeeper Andre Onana After Amorim SnubInter Milan are reportedly considering a surprise move to bring Andre Onana back from Man United after Ruben Amorim left him out of their squad vs Arsenal.According to The Sun, the Italian giants are keeping tabs on the 29-year-old as speculation grows surrounding his future at Old Trafford.Onana joined Man United f...
RB Leipzig Send Chelsea Transfer Warning as Xavi Simons Deal StallsChelsea’s pursuit of Xavi Simons faces uncertainty as RB Leipzig tell them he will only leave if it 'makes sporting and financial sense.'The 22-year-old is understood to have already agreed personal terms with Chelsea, turning down reported interest from Bayern Munich and Man City.Chelsea are yet to agree a fee with RB Leipzi...
- 1 Brentford Agree Deal to Sign Dango Ouattara From Bournemouth
- 2 TIPS - Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas VS Liga Deportiva Universitaria
- 3 TIPS - Villarreal VS Real Oviedo
- 4 ngland cricket legend’s granddaughter stuns in bikini
- 5 Lamela explains retirement decision: It started 11 years ago...
- 6 Estevao Willian set for 'key' Chelsea role after debut vs Palace
- 7 TIPS - Club Necaxa VS Club Leon
- 8 Emotional Arne Slot admits he had wanted to bring late Diogo Jota on as a substitute in Liverpool's dramatic victory over Bournemouth
- 9 Benjamin Sesko vs Viktor Gyokeres: Man Utd-Arsenal showdown sets early stage for big-money No.9s to show the Premier League what they can offer
- 10 TIPS - Cambuur Leeuwarden VS FC Oss