City 1 Reading 0
December 22nd 2012 47,007
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WH Smith and the City shop
A last gasp winner by Gareth Barry saved the day for City and kept the blues within sight of rivals United in the two team battle for the Championship. Reading defended as though their lives depended on it and despite constant pressure by City they managed to hold out until the 92nd minute. Joe Hart had little to do and City gave a league debut to young Karim Rekik at left back.If City had scored early on then I am sure the score would have been more but bottom of the league Reading made it very difficult by often having all their players behind the ball. We should be using the width of the park more so that our attack does not get bogged down in the centre so much. African 'player of the year' Yaya Toure again failed to reach his best form and often Silva just failed to reach his pass target. Tevez and Aguero worked hard but this was not a convincing win. Against the defensive tactics employed by Reading it is essential to score in the first 15 minutes to open up the opposition so we cannot afford to miss chances.
Yaya Toure captained City in the absence of Kompany and Rekik made his debut. Toure and Nastasic formed the central defence and Barry returned from suspension. Nasri was absent injured and there was no sign of Balotelli. Considering it was near Christmas Reading brought reasonable support
There was an early yellow card for Mariappa after just two minutes for a foul on Tevez but the free kick was wasted
At a free kick taken by the Reading keeper 20 players are grouped in a small area of the pitch - amazing
On 10 minutes Aguero went on a solo run from the half way line but his eventual cross went for a corner
Reading manage to clear the corner
City should have opened the scoring after 15 minutes when Tevez had a good chance.....
.... but Reading keeper Federici saved and eventually the chance was lost
City continued to pressure the visitors goal
Referee Mike Dean has to have a few words with Reading players
Federici catches a corner under pressure from Garcia
Aguero grapples with defenders at the edge of the penalty area
18 year old Karim Rekik a Netherlands youth player made his league debut for City at left back. Came from Feyenoord and has played for the Dutch under 17 national side.
Another City attempt is foiled
Half time came with still no goals and with rain still falling it was becoming a miserable afternoon for City supporters
Federici makes an easy catch at the start o the second half from a free kick
Pearce missed an easy chance for reading after 53 minutes heading wide from a corner
Federici is kept busy catching a cross
on 62 minutes a run down the right by Zabaleta ......
...ended with a header from Dzeko that just goes too high
another effort goes over the bar!
Yaya Toure gives a way a free kick
City manage to clear the free kick
Federici punches a corner
a rare Reading attack ends with Tabb lying on the ground
City clear a rare Reading corner
Silva and kebe in a heading duel
As Reading are wasting a lot of time Manager Mancini checks with the 4th official how much time is left
Its almost time and Aguero shoot just wide
On 92 minutes Silva crosses from the left wing and Barry scores with a header.
There was barely a minute or so left of the 4 minutes extra time when the goal was scored.
Memories of the end of last season
The City team and supporters are very relieved
Happy Holiday to all supporters of these pages
team
Hart 7: Zabaleta 7.5, Toure 7, Nastisic7, Rekik 7 ( Milner) : Yaya Toure 6.5, Barry 7.5, Garcia 6.5 (Dzeko 6.5) Silva 7, Aguero 7, Tevez 7 ( Sinclair )
