Man of the match Nicky Shorey welcomed back Newcastle striker Michael Owen after his Reading team ruined the England striker's comeback at the Madejski Stadium.

Dave Kitson's goal was enough to see off Glenn Roeder's men, and strengthen the Royals' own bid for European football, as Owen looked sharp but finished goalless.

'It's good to see him back and hopefully he won't get any more injuries,' Shorey said of Owen on Sky Sports 1.

On the match, he added: 'The whole game was a bit frantic. We needed to slow it down after we scored but they are a good team.

'We'll take it but we just want to finish as high as we can.'

Kitson was also reserved about Reading's UEFA Cup hopes.

'It was a fantastic win and it pushes us that little bit closer,' he said. Reading manager Steve Coppell denied he would rather see his side fail to qualify for Europe as his men sneaked into the UEFA Cup places.

'We will accept whatever happens and my job is just to get as many points as we can. If that means Europe, we will take it,' he told Sky Sports 1.

'It's just an after thought. We just think about preparation for the next game.

'Whatever happens it is a dream for the club on their first season in the Premiership.'

Coppell also praised the visitors for making the match tough.

'They are a difficult team and their shape was difficult to get hold of,' he added.

'The second half we attacked the game better. But it was close.'

see this thread will survivor till 2010 or not

Tue 01 May, 05:53 AM

LONDON (Reuters) - Reading mascot Kingsley -- a giant lion who wears the club's blue and white hooped shirt -- was sent off by the referee in their Premier League match against Newcastle United on Monday because he was confusing him.

"I can see where the referee was getting confused, you know he does look like so many of my players  ," manager Steve Coppell told Sky Sports with a grin.

The mascot's dismissal from the side of the pitch before halftime did not appear to hurt the team's luck as they still won 1-0.

It was unclear whether he would miss the next match through suspension.

And Reading's mascot Kingsley the lion, got a little too close to the pitch while roaring his team on and was quickly spoken to by referee Mike Riley.

Riley requested Kingsley moved away from the touchline to behind the goal as his blue and white strip was causing the official to get him confused with some of the Reading players  .

Kingsley was clearly in contravention of the 'no predators on the pitch rule', which seemed to be in place at that time judging by the limp forward lines.

Referee getting confused between the mascot and the players? Cant he diffentiate a LION head and a HUMAN head? 

what a joke when the referee cant tell a difference between a human and a lion. But in truth, it is against FIFA rule to have another person to wear the same jersey color with players on the pitch. it happened to me once while photographing a TM Liga Malaysia match. I'm wearing a shirt with same color as the home team. so the referee ask me to wear a vest that is different in color. it'll confuse them especially in situation where the match officials need to make a quick decision.

so what mike riley did was within FIFA rules.

I have been a supporter of The Royals since 1994-1995 ...

Not the most fashionable club to support I suppose, but not much worse than Bolton lol.

that's totally the opposite of what coppell said at the official site and i quote "Yes, we're going for Europe...honest!"

is coppell playing mind games?

Steve Coppell insists he will select his reserves for Uefa Cup duty if Reading qualify for Europe next season.

Reading's European hopes were boosted with Monday's 1-0 win over Newcastle, but Coppell says his priority would be to stay in the top flight.

The Royals boss said: "It wouldn't be a problem getting into the Uefa Cup because I'd probably play the reserves.

"I've said all along my reasons for not thinking it would be a good time for Europe but if it happens, it happens."

Coppell played his second-string during Reading's FA Cup campaign this season and said he would not do anything to put their top flight status at risk.

"We've prioritised it massively this season, I make no bones about that, and we would prioritise it again," he said.

"As far as I'm concerned we have a European Cup final every weekend in the Premiership. That's how much it means to everyone at this club."

Meanwhile, Coppell believes left-back Nicky Shorey deserves international recognition after another impressive performance against Newcastle.

He said: "He's been terrific for us all season and I'm sure he'll soon be included in an England squad even if it's only so that they see what he can do. He has a very educated left foot.

"All Nicky can do is put in performances and he's been doing that consistently."

tachikoma, maybe you can enlighten us with what does 'fashionable' means to you.

Steve Coppell insists he will select his reserves for Uefa Cup duty if Reading qualify for Europe next season.

Whoah slow down, it wasn't meant to be an insult =P And my understanding of fashionable is the same as yours, like f**king Newcastle United is the latest bandwagon team to support anyway