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Hunt double frustrates Spurs
05/01/2008 20:24 - (SA)
London - Reading midfielder Stephen Hunt capitalised on two Paul Robinson blunders to earn his side a 2-2 draw with Tottenham in the FA Cup on Saturday.
Just a week after these teams had served up a 10-goal classic in the Premier League they produced another exciting clash at White Hart Lane.
It was a tale of two in-demand players in north London as Hunt, a transfer target for Sunderland, gave Reading a first half lead thanks to a mistake by England goalkeeper Robinson.
Dimitar Berbatov, wanted by a host of European giants including Chelsea, equalised soon after and then put Juande Ramos's side in the second half.
But Hunt punished another handling error from Robinson with 12 minutes left and there was still time for Tottenham midfielder Tom Huddlestone to be sent off for violent conduct four minutes after coming off the bench.
Reading boss Steve Coppell left out goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann and strikers Dave Kitson and Kevin Doyle, but Ramos's Spurs were at full strength.
Tottenham started well and Robbie Keane should have scored after Berbatov pounced on Andre Bikey's mistake, but the Republic of Ireland striker shot wide.
Reading took the lead in controversial fashion in the 25th minute.
Hunt's free-kick should have been caught by Robinson but, under pressure from Bikey, he stumbled towards the goal-line and the assistant referee flagged for a goal.
Berbatov levelled in the 28th minute. Aaron Lennon's pass found the Bulgarian and he lashed the ball in off the crossbar and post.
Berbatov shot wide with an acrobatic attempt from a Jermaine Jenas cross as Spurs piled forward. Jenas went close himself as he latched onto Keane's flick but Adam Federici was down well to save.
Spurs moved ahead after 48 minutes when Reading defender Liam Rosenior blocked Keane in the penalty area.
Keane had missed his last two penalties, so Berbatov stepped up instead and calmly beat Federici.
Spurs had one foot in the fourth round but, not for the first time this season, Robinson cost them dearly.
He couldn't hold Leroy Lita's 78th minute shot and Hunt was in the right place to tap in the rebound from a tight angle.
Huddlestone clashed heads with Bobby Convey four minutes later and referee Mark Clattenburg wasted no time showing him the red card.
- AFP
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