2007–08 season | |||
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Chairman | John Madejski | ||
Manager | Steve Coppell | ||
Stadium | Madejski Stadium | ||
Premier League | 18th (relegated) | ||
FA Cup | Third Round | ||
League Cup | Third Round | ||
Top goalscorer |
League: Kitson (10) All: Kitson (10) |
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Highest home attendance | 24,135 (19 January vs Manchester United) | ||
Lowest home attendance | 21,379 (22 September vs Wigan Athletic) | ||
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Reading Football Club played the season 2007–08 in the Premier League, only the second top-flight campaign in the club's history. The team suffered an extremely poor run of form in January and February 2008, losing a club-record eight league games in a row. The club was relegated on the final day of the season after Fulham's victory at Portsmouth saw Reading finish in 18th place.
Reading travelled to South Korea to play in the 2007 Peace Cup. Reading lost to River Plate, won against Lyon and Shimizu S-Pulse, and came second in Group B on goal difference.
In Didcot, a Reading XI won 2-0, followed by a 6-1 hammering of Brentford. Reading went away to Brighton & Hove Albion and won 3–1, then a Reading XI drew 1–1 at a rescheduled game at Tooting & Mitcham United. Reading's final pre-season game was against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux, which Reading won 3–2.
A tough start to the Premier League season saw Reading travel to Old Trafford to play Manchester United. Reading secured a creditable 0–0 draw, despite losing Dave Kitson to a red card just seconds after the player had entered the game as a substitute; Kitson was dismissed for a lunge on Patrice Evra.
Reading's first home game of the season was a midweek fixture against reigning Premier League champions Chelsea. Reading dominated the first half and led at half-time through André Bikey's first goal for the club, smashed home after Petr Čech and Steve Sidwell collided in the Chelsea penalty area. Chelsea scored two quick goals, however, in the second half, to win the game 2–1, and Reading again had a player sent off, Kalifa Cissé, this time for two yellow cards.