LIVE MATCH CENTRE
22 December, 2012
| Manchester City |
FT
10
|
Reading |
Gareth Barry 90'
1 - 0
HT:
0 - 0
Etihad Stadium (Attendance: 47,007)
Manchester City
Joe Hart
1
Pablo Zabaleta
5
Kolo Touré
28
Matija Nastasic
33
Karim Rekik
44
Javi García
14
Gareth Barry
18
David Silva
21
Yaya Touré
42
Sergio Agüero
16
Carlos Tévez
32
Substitutes
James Milner
7
Edin Dzeko
10
Scott Sinclair
11
Vincent Kompany
4
Richard Wright
29
Joleon Lescott
6
Abdul Razak
62
Reading
1
Adam Federici
2
Chris Gunter
5
Alex Pearce
6
Adrian Mariappa
23
Ian Harte
14
Jimmy Kebe
8
Mikele Leigertwood
4
Jem Karacan
16
Jay Tabb
11
Jobi McAnuff
7
Pavel Pogrebnyak
Substitutes
3
Nicky Shorey
20
Danny Guthrie
10
Noel Hunt
41
Stuart Taylor
17
Kaspars Gorkss
9
Adam Le Fondre
19
Hal Robson-Kanu
Referee: Mike Dean
90'
Game Over
Manchester City 1-0 Reading
90'
Throw-In
Chris Gunter (Reading)
90'
Throw-In
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
90'
Corner Kick
Jobi McAnuff (Reading)
90'
Cross
Chris Gunter (Reading)
90'
Goal
Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Assist by David Silva
90'
Shot on Target
Gareth Barry (Manchester City)
90'
Cross
David Silva (Manchester City)
90'
Goal Kick
Adam Federici (Reading)
90'
Shot
Sergio Agüero (Manchester City)
90'
Foul
Joe Hart fouled by Pavel Pogrebnyak (Reading)
90'
Throw-In
Chris Gunter (Reading)
90'
Throw-In
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
90'
Throw-In
Chris Gunter (Reading)
90'
Goal Kick
Adam Federici (Reading)
89'
Shot
David Silva (Manchester City)
89'
Cross
James Milner (Manchester City)
89'
Throw-In
Matija Nastasic (Manchester City)
88'
Foul
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
87'
Goal Kick
Adam Federici (Reading)
87'
Substitution
Nicky Shorey on for Ian Harte (Reading)
85'
Shot
Scott Sinclair (Manchester City)
85'
Cross
Ian Harte (Reading)
84'
Goal Kick
Adam Federici (Reading)
84'
Substitution
James Milner on for Karim Rekik (Manchester City)
83'
Goal Kick
Joe Hart (Manchester City)
83'
Shot
Alex Pearce (Reading)
83'
Corner Kick
Jobi McAnuff (Reading)
82'
Cross
Jimmy Kebe (Reading)
82'
Cross
Scott Sinclair (Manchester City)
82'
Throw-In
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
81'
Corner Kick
Yaya Touré (Manchester City)
81'
Shot
Sergio Agüero (Manchester City)
81'
Throw-In
Karim Rekik (Manchester City)
80'
Throw-In
Chris Gunter (Reading)
79'
Throw-In
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
79'
Cross
Gareth Barry (Manchester City)
78'
Cross
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
78'
Throw-In
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
77'
Goal Kick
Joe Hart (Manchester City)
75'
Shot
Pavel Pogrebnyak (Reading)
75'
Cross
Jimmy Kebe (Reading)
75'
Cross
Pavel Pogrebnyak (Reading)
75'
Throw-In
Ian Harte (Reading)
75'
Substitution
Scott Sinclair on for Carlos Tévez (Manchester City)
73'
Cross
Yaya Touré (Manchester City)
73'
Corner Kick
Carlos Tévez (Manchester City)
72'
Cross
David Silva (Manchester City)
72'
Free Kick
David Silva (Manchester City)
72'
Foul
Sergio Agüero fouled by Mikele Leigertwood (Reading)
71'
Foul
Yaya Touré fouled by Mikele Leigertwood (Reading)
71'
Cross
Jobi McAnuff (Reading)
71'
Free Kick
Jobi McAnuff (Reading)
71'
Substitution
Danny Guthrie on for Jem Karacan (Reading)
70'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - Yaya Touré (Manchester City)
70'
Foul
Jobi McAnuff fouled by Yaya Touré (Manchester City)
69'
Foul
Adrian Mariappa fouled by Sergio Agüero (Manchester City)
68'
Goal Kick
Adam Federici (Reading)
67'
Foul
Karim Rekik fouled by Jimmy Kebe (Reading)
67'
Corner Kick
David Silva (Manchester City)
67'
Cross
Gareth Barry (Manchester City)
66'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - Mikele Leigertwood (Reading)
66'
Foul
Karim Rekik fouled by Mikele Leigertwood (Reading)
66'
Goal Kick
Adam Federici (Reading)
66'
Shot
Edin Dzeko (Manchester City)
66'
Corner Kick
Carlos Tévez (Manchester City)
64'
Cross
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
63'
Cross
Yaya Touré (Manchester City)
63'
Throw-In
Karim Rekik (Manchester City)
62'
Cross
Edin Dzeko (Manchester City)
61'
Throw-In
Ian Harte (Reading)
60'
Throw-In
Karim Rekik (Manchester City)
60'
Foul
Jimmy Kebe fouled by Sergio Agüero (Manchester City)
59'
Throw-In
Sergio Agüero (Manchester City)
59'
Throw-In
Chris Gunter (Reading)
59'
Substitution
Edin Dzeko on for Javi García (Manchester City)
58'
Cross
Yaya Touré (Manchester City)
57'
Throw-In
Matija Nastasic (Manchester City)
57'
Cross
David Silva (Manchester City)
56'
Cross
Jobi McAnuff (Reading)
55'
Throw-In
Chris Gunter (Reading)
54'
Foul
Javi García fouled by Pavel Pogrebnyak (Reading)
54'
Throw-In
Karim Rekik (Manchester City)
54'
Goal Kick
Joe Hart (Manchester City)
54'
Shot
Alex Pearce (Reading)
54'
Corner Kick
Ian Harte (Reading)
53'
Throw-In
Chris Gunter (Reading)
53'
Throw-In
Chris Gunter (Reading)
52'
Goal Kick
Adam Federici (Reading)
51'
Throw-In
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
51'
Shot on Target
Carlos Tévez (Manchester City)
51'
Free Kick
Carlos Tévez (Manchester City)
50'
Foul
Javi García fouled by Jem Karacan (Reading)
49'
Foul
Gareth Barry fouled by Chris Gunter (Reading)
49'
Goal Kick
Adam Federici (Reading)
49'
Shot
Carlos Tévez (Manchester City)
48'
Shot
Kolo Touré (Manchester City)
48'
Foul
Sergio Agüero fouled by Jem Karacan (Reading)
47'
Goal Kick
Adam Federici (Reading)
46'
Cross
Jem Karacan (Reading)
46'
Start Half
45'
Half Over
Manchester City 0-0 Reading
45'
Corner Kick
David Silva (Manchester City)
45'
Cross
Sergio Agüero (Manchester City)
45'
Throw-In
Chris Gunter (Reading)
45'
Cross
David Silva (Manchester City)
44'
Throw-In
Karim Rekik (Manchester City)
44'
Cross
Karim Rekik (Manchester City)
43'
Goal Kick
Adam Federici (Reading)
42'
Shot
Matija Nastasic (Manchester City)
42'
Shot on Target
Gareth Barry (Manchester City)
42'
Cross
Carlos Tévez (Manchester City)
42'
Corner Kick
David Silva (Manchester City)
42'
Shot
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
41'
Cross
Carlos Tévez (Manchester City)
40'
Throw-In
Chris Gunter (Reading)
39'
Throw-In
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
38'
Cross
David Silva (Manchester City)
38'
Offside
Chris Gunter (Reading)
38'
Throw-In
Chris Gunter (Reading)
36'
Throw-In
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
36'
Foul
Jay Tabb fouled by Javi García (Manchester City)
35'
Shot on Target
Gareth Barry (Manchester City)
35'
Cross
Carlos Tévez (Manchester City)
34'
Foul
Karim Rekik fouled by Jimmy Kebe (Reading)
34'
Foul
Chris Gunter fouled by Karim Rekik (Manchester City)
33'
Throw-In
Ian Harte (Reading)
32'
Goal Kick
Joe Hart (Manchester City)
32'
Shot
Jem Karacan (Reading)
31'
Throw-In
Ian Harte (Reading)
31'
Throw-In
Ian Harte (Reading)
30'
Throw-In
Ian Harte (Reading)
30'
Cross
Sergio Agüero (Manchester City)
29'
Cross
Sergio Agüero (Manchester City)
29'
Throw-In
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
28'
Foul
Karim Rekik fouled by Pavel Pogrebnyak (Reading)
28'
Cross
Carlos Tévez (Manchester City)
28'
Free Kick
Carlos Tévez (Manchester City)
27'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - Chris Gunter (Reading)
27'
Foul
David Silva fouled by Chris Gunter (Reading)
27'
Foul
David Silva fouled by Jem Karacan (Reading)
27'
Throw-In
Chris Gunter (Reading)
26'
Foul
David Silva fouled by Mikele Leigertwood (Reading)
25'
Throw-In
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
23'
Throw-In
Chris Gunter (Reading)
23'
Cross
Carlos Tévez (Manchester City)
23'
Free Kick
Carlos Tévez (Manchester City)
22'
Foul
Javi García fouled by Pavel Pogrebnyak (Reading)
22'
Throw-In
Karim Rekik (Manchester City)
21'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - Sergio Agüero (Manchester City)
20'
Foul
Jem Karacan fouled by Sergio Agüero (Manchester City)
19'
Throw-In
Karim Rekik (Manchester City)
19'
Cross
Yaya Touré (Manchester City)
18'
Goal Kick
Joe Hart (Manchester City)
17'
Foul
Jimmy Kebe fouled by Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
17'
Corner Kick
Carlos Tévez (Manchester City)
17'
Shot
Javi García (Manchester City)
17'
Corner Kick
David Silva (Manchester City)
16'
Cross
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
16'
Corner Kick
David Silva (Manchester City)
16'
Shot
Carlos Tévez (Manchester City)
16'
Shot on Target
Carlos Tévez (Manchester City)
16'
Cross
Matija Nastasic (Manchester City)
15'
Cross
Yaya Touré (Manchester City)
15'
Throw-In
Chris Gunter (Reading)
14'
Goal Kick
Joe Hart (Manchester City)
14'
Cross
Ian Harte (Reading)
14'
Free Kick
Ian Harte (Reading)
13'
Foul
Jimmy Kebe fouled by Karim Rekik (Manchester City)
13'
Throw-In
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
13'
Corner Kick
Carlos Tévez (Manchester City)
12'
Shot
David Silva (Manchester City)
12'
Goal Kick
Adam Federici (Reading)
11'
Shot
Sergio Agüero (Manchester City)
11'
Cross
David Silva (Manchester City)
11'
Shot on Target
Matija Nastasic (Manchester City)
11'
Corner Kick
David Silva (Manchester City)
11'
Cross
Sergio Agüero (Manchester City)
10'
Cross
Jimmy Kebe (Reading)
9'
Foul
Jobi McAnuff fouled by David Silva (Manchester City)
9'
Throw-In
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
9'
Cross
Carlos Tévez (Manchester City)
8'
Goal Kick
Joe Hart (Manchester City)
8'
Shot
Jobi McAnuff (Reading)
8'
Cross
Jimmy Kebe (Reading)
7'
Foul
Pavel Pogrebnyak fouled by Javi García (Manchester City)
6'
Cross
Jimmy Kebe (Reading)
5'
Foul
Carlos Tévez (Manchester City)
5'
Throw-In
Karim Rekik (Manchester City)
4'
Throw-In
Chris Gunter (Reading)
3'
Corner Kick
David Silva (Manchester City)
3'
Cross
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
2'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - Adrian Mariappa (Reading)
2'
Foul
Carlos Tévez fouled by Adrian Mariappa (Reading)
2'
Cross
Jimmy Kebe (Reading)
1'
Start Half

After what was a somewhat subdued performance from the champions, they still manage to get all three points thanks to a late Gareth Barry goal. Reading will be heartbroken to go home empty handed afer a very impressive defensive display and they'll feel they could have won the game late on; they had some good chances but will now spend Christmas rooted to the foot of the table. Roberto Mancini will be happy to have kept the pressure on Manchester United with a win; they're now just three points behind their cross-city rivals.
Gareth Barry becomes an unlikely hero by rising above Nicky Shorey to head home a David Silva cross from the left-wing. Surely that's all three points for the champions.
Gareth Barry wins all three points for City!
Manchester City mount one last attack through Yaya Toure but his pass is cut out by the hard-working Jay Tabb. The Reading player promptly loses the ball to Sergio Aguero though who is allowed a shot on goal. Fortunately for Tabb it's hit into the side netting.
There'll be four minutes of added time here at the Etihad.
Pablo Zabaleta goes down under a challenge from Jimmy Kebe in the box and appeals for a penalty but Mike Dean gives a free-kick the other way for a lunge from Zabaleta.
Ian Harte is down injured and he's brought off to be replaced by Nicky Shorey.
James Milner comes on to replace debutant Karim Rekik.
A fantastic tackle from Danny Guthrie in his own half allows Reading to go through two on two. Jimmy Kebe attempts to play in Pavel Pogrebnyak but his pass is just touched behind by Kolo Toure. Mikele Leigertwood's resulting corner is almost headed in by Alex Pearce but it goes just over.
Reading have a throw-in deep in the City half and they're doing really well to keep hold of the ball. They'll have to be careful not to overcommit though, City would relish the chance of a break-away.
There's a break in play while Jay Tabb is treated for an injury in the City penalty box after a shoulder to shoulder challenge from Karim Rekik. Pavel Pogrebnyak appeals for a penalty, but Mike Dean waves away the protests.
Scott Sinclair comes on for Carlos Tevez.
Jem Karacan is replaced by Danny Guthrie.
Jobi McAnuff makes a storming run down the left and looked to be through on goal before Yaya Toure slides in from behind just outside the box. He's booked for the foul by Mike Dean.
Mikele Leigertwood is booked for a sliding challenge on Karim Rekik in the middle of the park.
Pablo Zabaleta manages to chip the ball right across the face of goal from close range on the right-hand-side. Adam Federici had already rushed out to cover it and Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero had the goal at their mercy, neither could get their head to the ball though.
Yaya Toure plays the pass of the game by picking out David Silva who is 50 yards away on the opposite flank. Silva accidentally knocks the ball out of play though and what would have been a golden opportunity is wasted. The crowd are becoming incredibly restless.
The Manchester City fans are getting extremely anxious now and they're urging their team to get forward. Roberto Mancini appears to be listening, he's just sent Edin Dzeko on in place of Javi Garcia.
Alex Pearce wastes a golden opportunity by heading a rare corner over the bar from close range. This is a lot better from Reading though; they're seeing more of the ball and their defence still looks strong.
Manchester City have reasserted their dominance after their shaky start to the second-half. Jem Karacan concedes a free-kick just outside the box which Carlos Tevez takes. He attempts to catch Adam Federici out by curling a shot to the top-corner. Federici is alert though and manages to punch the ball clear.
Reading almost catch City napping when Jimmy Kebe breaks down the right wing immediately from kick-off. Jem Karacan collects the ball from him and almost picks out Pavel Pogrebnyak in the middle. A Reading goal would surely spice this game up.
Reading kick-off the second-half at a subdued and rainy Etihad.
There's no doubt about which team have dominated this half. Manchester City have had the better of everything but they just haven't been able to convert their chances. Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez have stood out so far but Reading have defended gladiatorially and they've looked worthy of an unlikely away point.
City are starting to look slightly frustrated at not being able to break down the Reading defence and Karim Rekik hits a speculative cross from deep which Adam Federici collects easily. If Reading keep this up they might have a chance here today.
David Silva comes forward again but he's struggling to find a way past a packed Reading defence. Crosses from Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero both have crosses blocked before Pablo Zabaleta hits a low, driven shot at goal which is deflected just over the bar for a corner.
The earlier booking to Alex Pearce was actually given to Chris Gunter who was also tugging on the shirt of Carlos Tevez.
Gareth Barry is presented with the best chance of the game so far. Carlos Tevez drives in a cross which finds Barry free eight yards from goal. His header is hit straight at Adam Federici though; anywhere else and City would be celebrating a goal.
Sergio Aguero almost squeezes a pass between two Reading defenders to Carlos Tevez who is free in the box. Adrian Mariappa just cuts it out in time though and the danger is averted for now.
Alex Pearce is booked for a shirt pull on Carlos Tevez. Both Reading centre-backs have now been cautioned so they'll be walking a real tightrope for the rest of the game.
Reading can't get a touch of the ball and it's looking more and more like a game of attack versus defence. The Royals have ten men behind the ball with only Pavel Pogrebnyak having set foot in the opposition half in the last few minutes. Yaya Toure and David Silva look quite happy to torment the opposition in midfield as they patiently build an attack.
Sergio Aguero is booked for catching Jem Karacan with his studs while challenging for a 50/50 ball.
It's all City so far at the Etihad, they've had plenty of chances in the opening quarter of an hour and it seems like it's only a matter of time until one's converted.
Karim Rekik does well to hold up the ball on the left-wing before knocking it back to David Silva. He puts a dangerous cross into the box which is controlled well by Carlos Tevez and hit at goal but Adam Federici manages to keep his close-range shot out.
Manchester City enjoy two chances in quick succession. Sergio Aguero plays a ball across the face of goal which nobody can get on the end of. It's knocked behind for a corner which is taken by David Silva and blazed over the bar by Sergio Aguero.
Joe Hart gives the ball away carelessly to Jimmy Kebe deep in his own half. Kebe attempts a shot on the open goal while Hart is back-peddaling but it floats wide.
City have settled down and they're enjoying the majority of possession in the opening minutes. Yaya Toure, the recently crowned African Player of the Year is chasing down everything in midfield and his passing has been inch perfect.
Reading have the first attack of the game and a Jimmy Kebe cross almost finds Pavel Pogrebnyak in the box. Kolo Toure manages to clear to Carlos Tevez and he's taken down ruthlessly by Adrian Mariappa. He'll be the first man in the referee's book for that challenge.
Manchester City get us underway at the Etihad.
Reading have made four changes from their midweek loss to Arsenal with Chris Gunter, Alex Pearce, Ian Harte and Jem Karacan all coming into the team at the expense of Noel Hunt, Shaun Cummings, Nicky Shorey and Kaspars Gorkss.
18-year-old Dutchman Karim Rekik will make his Manchester City debut at left-back in place of Gael Clichy. Gareth Barry returns to the starting line-up and James Milner is back in the team as a substitute.
Mike Dean takes charge of today's game. It'll be his twelfth of the season and he's already given out 38 yellow cards, one red card and two penalties.
Jason Roberts looks set to miss out through injury but Danny Guthrie, Jimmy Kebe and Jem Karacan should all be fit to play after injuries.
City's influential captain Vincent Kompany faces a late fitness test while Samir Nasri, Aleksandar Kolarov and Mario Balotelli are all definitely out of today's game. Gareth Barry is eligible again after suspension and James Milner could make his return to the starting line-up.
The Premier League's bottom club will face one of their toughest tests of the season today at the Etihad. They've lost six games in a row and have only won nine points so far this season, with just two of those coming away from home.
Roberto Mancini said during the week that a second consecutive title would be even sweeter than last season's triumph, a win today will be seen as a necessity if the Sky Blues are to keep the pressure on cross-city rivals Manchester United. City bounced back in style against Newcastle last weekend after their derby disappointment and they'll be confident of picking up all three points today without the distraction of Mario Balotelli to deal with.
Today's game sees second place Manchester City take on Reading at the Etihad. The Champions need three points to maintain their title challenge but Reading are also desperate not to be left adrift at the foot of the table. These sides last met in the Premier League in March 2008 when Reading ran out 2-0 winners; the Royals would no doubt settle for a similar outcome today.