Random Royal Moments: When Reading Had A Sub Sent Off

Wembley Stadium, 30th May 2011. Reading found themselves 3-0 down to Swansea City at half-time in the play-off final. Scott Sinclair had struck twice in two minutes to put the Welsh side ahead, before Stephen Dobbie scored what would turn out to be the ‘game-winning goal’ five minutes before the break.

Jay Tabb, a substitute, berates referee Phil Dowd alongside assistant manager Nigel Gibbs in the tunnel. Presumably the two took offense over the blatant penalty Zurab Khizanishvili gave away to start the Swansea scoring. Tabb is shown the red card, and Gibbs is sent to the stand for the second half. Strangely the midfielder actually came out at the start of the second, but Dowd approached him on the bench before kick-off and sent him inside.

It seemed to make little difference though, as Reading initially took control of the second half - with Jem Karacan’s infamous attempt ricocheting off the post to level. Then Andy Griffin brought down Fabio Borini for The Swans’ second penalty, and that was the game. Who knows what would have happened had Tabb still been available? Brian McDermott only made two subs on that afternoon; Maybe there was a Jay Tabb-sized hole in the game plan?