Chelsea salvage draw at Reading

Chelsea left it late to secure a 2-2 draw at Reading in their final pre-season friendly before they face Manchester United in the Community Shield.

First-half goals from Jimmy Kebe and Scott Davies gave the Royals - now managed by former Chelsea coach Brendan Rodgers - a lead that for a long time looked as though it would end Chelsea's unbeaten summer run.

However, a late goal from substitute Salomon Kalou and an own goal from Reading defender Alex Pearce in injury time at least partially saved face for the visitors.

Following a pre-season campaign that has seen them beat Milan and Internazionale among others, Carlo Ancelotti's side found themselves two goals down at half-time courtesy of some poor defending.

With 37 minutes gone of a half that Chelsea hd bossed, England left-back Ashley Cole's poor control allowed Jay Tabb to shoot from outside the Chelsea area, and his deflected effort fell to Jimmy Kebe, who turned inside Branislav Ivanovic and scored from close range.

Then, in the final minute of the half, John Terry hauled down Shane Long on the edge of the area, and Scott Davies took full advantage of a weak Chelsea wall by drilling a low strike past Petr Cech.

Salomon Kalou was one of six second-half changes made by Ancelotti, and in the final minute of normal time he latched on to Jon Obi Mikel's pass and slotted a cool finish past Reading goalkeeper Adam Federici.

Chelsea had laid siege on the Reading half in the build-up to that goal, and they got the slice of luck they deserved when Royals skipper Pearce - who had been impressive throughout - glanced a Florent Malouda free-kick into his own net in injury time under pressure from Alex.

There were plenty of chances for a strong Chelsea line-up to get on the scoresheet before they finally made the breakthrough, but Federici pulled off several quality saves to deny the West London side.

Via: Yahoo! Sport