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Saturday, December 22, 2012
 Full Time
Manchester City
1
 
0
Reading
G. Barry  90' 1-0 
HT: 0-0
Etihad Stadium (Attendance: 47,007)
Referee: Mike Dean
Preview  |  Stats  |  Match Report
CommentaryLineupsStatistics Events Shotchart
Manchester City vs. Reading
Minute Commentary
90' FULL-TIME
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.
90' MORE ON THAT GOAL
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.
90' GOAL!
Gareth Barry wins all three points for City!
90' CHANCE 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.
90' ADDED TIME
There'll be four minutes of added time here at the Etihad.
89' PENALTY SHOUT
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.
87' READING SUBSTITUTION
Ian Harte is down injured and he's brought off to be replaced by Nicky Shorey.
85' MANCHESTER CITY SUBSTITUTION
James Milner comes on to replace debutant Karim Rekik.
84' READING BREAK
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.
81' READING POSSESSION
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.
78' PENALTY SHOUT
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.
75' MANCHESTER CITY SUBSTITUTION
Scott Sinclair comes on for Carlos Tevez.
72' READING SUBSTITUTION
Jem Karacan is replaced by Danny Guthrie.
71' READING BREAK
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.
67' LEIGERTWOOD BOOKING
Mikele Leigertwood is booked for a sliding challenge on Karim Rekik in the middle of the park.
64' OPEN GOAL
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.
62' BRILLIANT PASS
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.
59' CITY SUBSTITUTION
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.
55' READING CORNER
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.
52' TEVEZ SHOT
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.
48' EARLY READING CHANCE
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.
46' SECOND-HALF
Reading kick-off the second-half at a subdued and rainy Etihad.
45' HALF-TIME
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.
43' CITY BECOMING FRUSTRATED
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.
40' MORE CITY CHANCES
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.
37' BOOKING CORRECTION
The earlier booking to Alex Pearce was actually given to Chris Gunter who was also tugging on the shirt of Carlos Tevez.
35' BARRY CHANCE
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.
30' LAST DITCH DEFENDING
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.
27' PEARCE BOOKING
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.
25' POSSESSION FOOTBALL
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.
20' AGUERO BOOKING
Sergio Aguero is booked for catching Jem Karacan with his studs while challenging for a 50/50 ball.
16' CITY DOMINANCE
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.
14' TEVEZ CHANCE
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.
12' MANCHESTER CITY CHANCES
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.
9' HART MISTAKE
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.
6' MANCHESTER CITY DOMINANT
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.
3' READING ATTACK
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.
1' KICK-OFF
Manchester City get us underway at the Etihad.
0' READING TEAM NEWS
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.
0' MANCHESTER CITY TEAM NEWS
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.
0' REF WATCH
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.
0' READING EARLY TEAM NEWS
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.
0' MANCHESTER CITY EARLY TEAM NEWS
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.
0' BOTTOM OF THE TABLE READING DESPERATE FOR POINTS
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.
0' MANCINI CHASING SECOND TITLE
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.
0' MATCH PREVIEW
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.
CommentaryLineupsStatistics Events Shotchart
Team Stats
Manchester City Reading
1 Goals 0
1 Assists 0
19 Shots 5
6 Shots on Goal 0
0 Saves 5
0 Penalties Scored 0
0 Penalty Kicks 0
32 Crosses 13
12 Corner Kicks 3
0 Offside 1
12 Fouls Committed 15
2 Cautions/Yellow Cards 3
0 Red Cards 0
73% Ball Possession 27%
Manchester City
No. Player MinP G YC RC GA Svs
1Joe Hart 90 - 0 0 0 0
5Pablo Zabaleta 90 0 0 0 - -
14Javi García 59 0 0 0 - -
16Sergio Agüero 90 0 1 0 - -
18Gareth Barry 90 1 0 0 - -
21David Silva 90 0 0 0 - -
28Kolo Touré 90 0 0 0 - -
32Carlos Tévez 75 0 0 0 - -
33Matija Nastasic 90 0 0 0 - -
42Yaya Touré 90 0 1 0 - -
44Karim Rekik 84 0 0 0 - -
Substitutes
7James Milner 6 0 0 0 - -
10Edin Dzeko 31 0 0 0 - -
11Scott Sinclair 15 0 0 0 - -

Reading
No. Player MinP G YC RC GA Svs
1Adam Federici 90 - 0 0 1 3
2Chris Gunter 90 0 1 0 - -
4Jem Karacan 71 0 0 0 - -
5Alex Pearce 90 0 0 0 - -
6Adrian Mariappa 90 0 1 0 - -
7Pavel Pogrebnyak 90 0 0 0 - -
8Mikele Leigertwood 90 0 1 0 - -
11Jobi McAnuff 90 0 0 0 - -
14Jimmy Kebe 90 0 0 0 - -
16Jay Tabb 90 0 0 0 - -
23Ian Harte 87 0 0 0 - -
Substitutes
3Nicky Shorey 3 0 0 0 - -
20Danny Guthrie 19 0 0 0 - -
CommentaryLineupsStatisticsEventsShotchart
Manchester City vs. Reading
Minute Event
90' Game Over  Manchester City 1-0 Reading
90' Half 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 Silva
90' Shot on Goal  Gareth Barry (Manchester City)
90' Cross  David Silva (Manchester City)
90' Goal Kick  Adam Federici (Reading)
90' Shot  Sergio Agüero (Manchester City)
90' Foul  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). Harte (off). (Reading)
85' Shot  Scott Sinclair (Manchester City)
85' Cross  Ian Harte (Reading)
84' Goal Kick  Adam Federici (Reading)
84' Substitution  James Milner (on). Rekik (off). (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). Tévez (off). (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  Agüero fouled by Mikele Leigertwood (Reading)
71' Foul  Touré fouled by Mikele Leigertwood (Reading)
71' Cross  Jobi McAnuff (Reading)
71' Free Kick  Jobi McAnuff (Reading)
71' Substitution  Danny Guthrie (on). Karacan (off). (Reading)
70' Yellow Card  Yaya Touré (Manchester City)
70' Foul  McAnuff fouled by Yaya Touré (Manchester City)
69' Foul  Mariappa fouled by Sergio Agüero (Manchester City)
68' Goal Kick  Adam Federici (Reading)
67' Foul  Rekik fouled by Jimmy Kebe (Reading)
67' Corner Kick  David Silva (Manchester City)
67' Cross  Gareth Barry (Manchester City)
66' Yellow Card  Mikele Leigertwood (Reading)
66' Foul  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  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). Javi García (off). (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 Goal  Carlos Tévez (Manchester City)
51' Free Kick  Carlos Tévez (Manchester City)
50' Foul  Javi García fouled by Jem Karacan (Reading)
49' Foul  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  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 Goal  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  Tabb fouled by Javi García (Manchester City)
35' Shot on Goal  Gareth Barry (Manchester City)
35' Cross  Carlos Tévez (Manchester City)
34' Foul  Rekik fouled by Jimmy Kebe (Reading)
34' Foul  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  Rekik fouled by Pavel Pogrebnyak (Reading)
28' Cross  Carlos Tévez (Manchester City)
28' Free Kick  Carlos Tévez (Manchester City)
27' Yellow Card  Chris Gunter (Reading)
27' Foul  Silva fouled by Chris Gunter (Reading)
27' Foul  Silva fouled by Jem Karacan (Reading)
27' Throw-In  Chris Gunter (Reading)
26' Foul  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  Sergio Agüero (Manchester City)
20' Foul  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  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 Goal  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  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 Goal  Matija Nastasic (Manchester City)
11' Corner Kick  David Silva (Manchester City)
11' Cross  Sergio Agüero (Manchester City)
10' Cross  Jimmy Kebe (Reading)
9' Foul  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  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  Adrian Mariappa (Reading)
2' Foul  Tévez fouled by Adrian Mariappa (Reading)
2' Cross  Jimmy Kebe (Reading)
1' Start Half 
CommentaryLineupsStatistics Events Shotchart

Players
No.Number
MinPMinutes Played
GGoals
AstAssists
SHTSShots
SOGShots on Goal
CKCorner Kicks
CRCrosses
OffOffside
FCFouls Committed
FSFouls Suffered
YCYellow Cards
RCRed Cards
GAGoals Against
SvsSaves
w2 © 2013 by STATS LLC.
Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC is strictly prohibited.

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