2006–07 season | |||
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Chairman | John Madejski | ||
Manager | Steve Coppell | ||
FA Premier League | 8th | ||
FA Cup | Fifth round | ||
League Cup | Third round | ||
Top goalscorer |
League: Kevin Doyle (13) All: Leroy Lita (14) |
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Highest home attendance | 24,122 (vs. Aston Villa, 10 February) | ||
Lowest home attendance | 10,353 (vs. Darlington, 19 September) | ||
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The 2006–07 season was Reading Football Club's first season in the Premier League, and their first season in the top flight of English football. Reading also participated in the League Cup, beating Darlington in the second round before losing 4–3 to Liverpool at Anfield. Reading entered the FA Cup at the third round stage, defeating Burnley 3-2 and then Birmingham City by the same score to meet Manchester United in the Fifth Round. After drawing the initial game 1–1 at Old Trafford, Reading lost 2–3 at home in the replay ten days later, conceding the three goals in the first six minutes of the match. They finished the season in eighth place, collecting 55 points from 38 matches.
Reading's first ever Premier League game came at home to Middlesbrough. Reading were 2–0 down after 20 minutes after goals from Stewart Downing and Yakubu, but ended up 3−2 winners through goals from Dave Kitson, Steve Sidwell and Leroy Lita. Kitson, however, was injured in a reckless tackle by Chris Riggott, and would not play again until the end of January 2007.
Reading's next game was against Aston Villa. After an early lead through Kevin Doyle, Ibrahima Sonko conceded a penalty and was sent off. Juan Pablo Ángel scored the resulting penalty for Villa, and Gareth Barry scored in the 61st minute to seal a win for Villa. The Royals next played Wigan Athletic, Emile Heskey scoring the only goal in a 1−0 win for Wigan.