It is terrific to have won with two fantastic goals

Last updated : 13 May 2009 By Tony Scholes
Just a few hours after the game, the early morning news was that of Steve Coppell's departure as manager of Reading Football Club after five and a half years in charge. It probably came as no surprise and had Reading won and even reached the Premier League a year after relegation I suspect he would have still left.

However, last night he had to talk about his side's exit to the Clarets as Reading faced up to a second season in the Championship. "It's just a hollow feeling for everybody here," he said. "For two thirds of the season we were right up there and a lot of people's favourites to get promoted. And in the last third of the season we just haven't delivered.

"A decent run of form at home and we would have been promoted. But to go nine games at home without winning, eventually we paid the priced for that."

On the second leg of the tie against us he added: "In the first half I thought we'd done a really good job of softening up the opposition. We had a lot of the football, were always on the front foot and although we didn't have too many clear cut chances I always felt we were in a good position at half time.

"The first goal completely changed the complexion of the game, a great strike on his weaker foot coming inside from that range, hits the post and flies right in the corner. It changed things. Obviously we had to go gung-ho.

"And then the second strike, to go over Marcus' have and drop in, again on his weaker foot, a great goal. At that stage I knew it wasn't meant to be."

Regarding the poor run at home when asked how and why he simply replied: "I don't know," adding: "Obviously I've spent eight or nine games trying to figure that out, but I don't really now why it has been like this.

"I think anxiety played a part in the end, but it shouldn't have. Your home should be your fortress. There are probably 100 reasons why it went wrong, not just one. And you mix the whole myriad together and it comes up with us losing out big time."

Owen Coyle has enjoyed some great days this season but he summed this one up simply by saying: "This is definitely the best," as his Burnley side finally won that date at Wembley.

"It's been great going toe to toe with the big guns including beating two Champions League semi-finalists," he added. "But this is the best win because it gives us an opportunity to play those teams on a game to game basis.

"As a manager you're responsible not only for a team but a whole town, and that's something I take pride in, trying to make sure the players give everything they can. It's something we'll all look forward to now and it's an opportunity that we have to try to go and grasp.

"Being paired with Reading we knew that they were going to be two difficult games. I think they are a quality side and they've shown that in both games, so it is terrific to have won the game 2-0 with two fantastic goals.

"Reading really came at us all guns blazing in the first half and we couldn't get a foothold in the game. We had little bits and pieces but nowhere near where we'd like to be. I had one or two words to say at half time because I felt we were below par and I wanted us really up and in their faces so we could earn the right to go and play in the game.

"I felt we did that in the second half, and it was two fantastic finishes and we're delighted to have come through, but all we've done is give ourselves a chance to play Sheffield United in the final.

"That's why there wasn't too much celebrating at the end. There's so much work still to be done and we'll have to make sure we're at our best when that comes about.

"We've had two terrific games against Sheffield Untied this season, and I don't expect the third one to be different."