Saturday December 22, 2012 Day 18 Finished Etihad Stadium

  1. Premier League - Barry heads injury-time winner for City

    Premier League - Barry heads injury-time winner for City

    Gareth Barry scored in injury time as Manchester City finally managed to break down Reading to win 1-0 at the Etihad Stadium. More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • Manchester City
    • Reading
    • - Don't forget you can watch highlights of this match, along with every Premier League game, from 00:01 on Monday morning (UK only).
    • 90+5' FULL TIME. Barry's header in injury time gives the champions a 1-0 win. They move to within three points of United.
    • 90+4' Pearce leaps for the ball but he can't connect. City clear.
    • 90+4' Corner to Reading...
    • 90+4' Silva, predictably, produced a fine cross and Barry clambered over the back of Shorey to nod it in. What drama.
    • 90+3' GOAL! Manchester City 1-0 Reading! Barry produces a diving header from a cross from the left and deep into injury time City do it again!
    • 90+1' Aguero bursts into space on the right and rifles a shot into the side netting. Getting towards the last-chance saloon here for City.
    • 90' We will have four added minutes.
    • 89' Silva gets his head to a cross at the back post but steers the ball wide of the upright. Kebe did just enough to put him off.
    • 88' Zabaleta wants a penalty following a challenge from Kebe but there's nothing doing.
    • 87' Harte has suffered an injury and is down requiring treatment. Nicky Shorey comes on in his place.
    • 86' Sinclair with a shot from 25 yards that curls the wrong way and soars wide.
    • 85' City will move to within five points of Manchester United with a draw, though they will have played a game more of course.
    • 84' Rekik is replaced by James Milner as City go for the win.
    • 83' Pearce leaps to meet the corner with a header but it flies wide of the far post. City in danger of going a goal down there.
    • 82' Kebe swings in a cross from the right and it takes a touch off a City shirt as Pogrebnyak tries to slide in and convert on the edge of the six-yard box. Corner to Reading...
    • 81' Aguero drills in a firm shot from 25 yards but it takes a deflection and goes behind for a corner. Kolo Toure can't get a proper head to the ball as the set-piece is delivered.
    • 80' Toure plays a pass through midfield for Silva and he tries to spin and flick the ball into Aguero's pass. It doesn't come off though.
    • 78' The ball comes in for Dzeko in the box but he has to arch his head back to direct his effort on goal and it lacks pace as a result. No problem for Federici.
    • 77' Rekik used his shoulder to knock Tabb over, and he has just gone off for more treatment on his ribs. It was messy at best.
    • 76' Pogrebnyak sees a shot deflect up and loop into Hart's hands, while all the time Tabb is down on the floor having been knocked to the ground by Rekik when the ball first came in. Not a terrible shot for a penalty, that.
    • 75' The lesser-spotted Scott Sinclair comes on in place of Tevez. A curious change, as Tevez was playing well.
    • 73' Harte intervenes to block a shot from Yaya Toure as City continue to push for the opening goal. Time is ticking away now though.
    • 72' Leigertwood gets a talking to for a messy foul on Aguero. In comes the free-kick and Federici turns it behind for a corner.
    • 71' Nothing comes of the free-kick for Reading as City clear.
    • 71' Karacan makes way for Danny Guthrie before Reading take the set-piece.
    • 70' Yaya Toure brings down McAnuff right on the edge of the box and is booked for his troubles...
    • 69' Tevez plays the ball into Aguero but referee Mike Dean penalises the striker for a foul on Mariappa.
    • 68' Stat from Infostrada: "There have been five PL goals scored today. The fewest on a Saturday in the division this season is 12 – set on Saturday November 3."
    • 67' Mikele Leigertwood is booked for a poor challenge on Rekik. He caught him late.
    • 66' Dzeko threatens again! The striker meets a corner at the near post and directs his header just over the bar!
    • 65' Tevez embarks on a determined run but can't collect a return pass from Silva. He has performed with his usual high work rate.
    • 63' Howls for a penalty are heard but replays show the ball struck the torso of Pearce, not the arm.
    • 62' Huge chance for City! The home side carve open the Reading defence with an intricate passing move but Zabaleta's cross is just too high for Dzeko to head home from close range.
    • 61' Groans around the Etihad again as City play it around at the back. Some patience is required really.
    • 60' Dezko has so often come to City's rescue this season. Can he do so again this afternoon?
    • 59' Here is that change as defensive midfielder Garcia makes way for a third striker in Dzeko.
    • 58' Gunter clears for Reading as City put the visitors under pressure again. Reading's box is packed with defenders.
    • 57' Silva tries to pick out either Tevez or Aguero in the box but his cross takes a touch off Mariappa and loops up into the air.
    • 56' City are getting Edin Dzeko ready. The superb sub extraordinare.
    • 55' Hart takes his time over a clearance and the crowd are audibly agitated. Some nervous tension around the Etihad today.
    • 54' Reading go close! Pogrebnyak is free at the back post from the corner and heads over the bar! He rushed the chance a bit and having lost Zabaleta should really have headed in.
    • 53' Reading win a corner and have a rare chance to put some pressure on the City goal...
    • 51' Tevez curls in a free-kick and it threatens to sneak under the bar but Federici punches away for Reading.
    • 49' Kolo Toure has a rather hopeful shot from range but Mariappa blocks it. City then resume their assault but Zabaleta is offside when Tevez plays him in.
    • 47' David Silva tries to work open the Reading defence once more but a chipped pass for Tevez has just too much on it. Silva has been good so far today.
    • 46' Reading threaten early on as Zabaleta has to head clear from a Karacan cross. Encouraging signs for the Royals.
    • 46' KICK OFF!
    • 45+2' HALF TIME. A few jeers from the home fans as City end the half having failed to breach Reading's defence.
    • 45+1' Aguero surges forward and as he approaches the box opts not to shoot, instead dinking a fine cross to the back post. However, Yaya Toure can't reach it in time.
    • 45+1' We will have one added minute at the Etihad.
    • 45' Silva tries to feed in Zabaleta with a clever pass but it doesn't make its way to the defender.
    • 44' Rekik puts a cross into the box but Pearce is alert and heads away for Reading as their defence holds up once again.
    • 42' Tevez touches the ball off to Zabaleta and the defender sees his shot deflect up off Karacan and loop over the bar. From the corner, Nastastic threatens but his shot goes over.
    • 41' City are keeping up the pressure on Reading but the visitors are well drilled and are restricting the home side to few chances.
    • 40' Stat from Infostrada: "There have been only two first half goals scored in the division so far today. The fewest first half goals scored on a Saturday in the division this season is three – set in both the ninth and 10th match rounds."
    • 39' Brilliant from Silva! He is linking up so well with Tevez and plays another one two with the striker before Pearce and Yaya Toure tangle in the box. The City man wants a penalty but it looked very weak.
    • 37' Reading probe down the right but after racing onto Kebe's pass, Gunter sees his cross blocked by Rekik.
    • 36' City have dominated possession and some of their approach play has been impressive, but they need to test Federici a bit more.
    • 35' City go close! Silva plays in Tevez with a superb pass and he drills in a rapid cross which Barry rises to meet and heads firmly at Federici.
    • 33' Aguero pops a lovely little pass through for Silva but Reading hold their positions and force City back.
    • 32' Reading have a half-chance as Karacan lifts a shot well over the bar from 20 yards. Not the best effort in truth.
    • 30' Aguero again takes possession to the right and tries to feed Tevez in the centre of the box. A tangle of Reading legs ensure he can't get a shot away.
    • 29' Aguero gets away from Harte on the City right but his low cross is cleared.
    • 28' And now Pogrebnyak gets a talking to after a foul on Rekik. Reading have been ill-disciplined so far.
    • 27' Tevez tries to sneak away from Chris Gunter so the Reading defender obstructs him, earning a yellow card. Two Reading defenders now on bookings.
    • 26' Silva does well to win the ball and then hold onto it under extreme pressure from Karacan, who then flies in on Barry after the ball is pushed wide to the midfielder.
    • 25' Now Yaya Toure tries to flick a first-time pass to find Aguero but again Reading intervene. The midfielder is growing in influence.
    • 24' Yaya Toure spots a neat pass to Silva and executes it well, but Kebe is alert to the danger and intervenes.
    • 23' Matija Nastasic leaps to challenge for the ball with Federici but the keeper keeps his poise and clasps the ball just off his own line.
    • 22' Now Pogrebnyak brings Garcia to ground with a clumsy tackle. This game isn't exactly a spectacle so far.
    • 21' Stat from Infostrada: "Reading have picked up two points away from home in the PL this season, less than any other team."
    • 20' Reading's players are unhappy as Aguero catches Jem Karacan late and receives a booking.
    • 19' Yaya Toure is guilty of a heavy touch in the centre of the park as City cede possession. He hasn't been at his best this season.
    • 17' The pressure increases as a low effort from Javi Garcia deflects behind off Ian Harte. Nothing comes of the corner though.
    • 16' City go close! Aguero touches the ball off to Tevez in fantastic fashion, his team-mate lashing the cushioned pass straight at Adam Federici, who saves well. Tevez picks up the rebound but sees a second effort deflected over.
    • 14' Kebe tests Rekik again and this time the youngster fouls the winger. However, Mariappa's glancing header goes harmlessly wide from the free-kick.
    • 13' Silva plays a pass into Tevez in the box and when receiving it back takes a gorgeous touch through his legs to find space and then lash a shot wide of the near post.
    • 12' Now Aguero threatens again but can't hit the target from Silva's ball.
    • 11' Aguero picks up the ball in the centre circle and embarks on a fantastic run that takes him all the way to the byline, where he fails to pick out a team-mate after Alex Pearce slides in on him.
    • 9' Carlos Tevez plays in Sergio Aguero with a fine pass but the striker can't get to the ball before Adam Federici, who races off his line to smother it.
    • 8' Jobi McAnuff gets to a cross ahead of Pablo Zabaleta but can't threaten Joe Hart.
    • 7' Pavel Pogrebnyak is chopped down by Javi Garcia as Reading win a free-kick in the centre of midfield.
    • 6' Kebe causes problems from the Reading right again as Hart makes a mistake and City scramble from his cross. He can't find anyone in a yellow Reading shirt though.
    • 5' Little to report in a rather bloodless game so far. Rekik looks like he will be given a tough time of things by Kebe though.
    • 4' It's been a temperate start aside from that silly Mariappa challenge, with City tentatively probing the visitors.
    • 2' Silly stuff from Adrian Mariappa as he ploughs into Carlos Tevez to earn a booking after less than two minutes!
    • 2' Rekik's first intervention sees him touch the ball off to Jimmy Kebe but City clear from the subsequent cross.
    • 1' KICK OFF! City kicking left to right.
    • 14:56 Today's ref is Mike Dean from the Wirrall. He has shown two reds and 3 yellows in 17 matches. Fussy, but not inclined to send people off.
    • 14:55 Another stat of note is that City have won all 13 games in which Aguero and Tevez have started together. Ouch.
    • 14:50 Some STATS courtesy of our pals at Opta, with the Royals apparently something of a bogey side for City. They have won two and lost just one of the last four away league games against City, winning three of their last four matches against them overall. However, times have changed since Reading were last in the top flight – City have had more shots than anyone else, while super-sub Edin Dzeko has a goals to games ratio of one every 104 minutes, the best in the division.
    • 14:45 Tom Adams will be your commentator for this game, you can get him on Twitter @tomEurosport with your predictions and comments. The bookies have City, obviously, as comfortable favourites - 1/6, with Reading a long 20/1, and the draw 11/2. FOLLOW ON TWITTER!
    • 14:40 Brian McDermott: "We're never going to put the club in a situation where it will be full of debt. This club has never been full of debt. We don't work that way. I'm having discussion with (the club’s owner). We all want the club to succeed. The owner wants the club to be run as a business, like it has been under (chairman) Sir John Madejski, and that isn't going to change. When you're a team that are where we are in the league, it's not going to be easy to attract certain players to the club."
    • 14:35 Roberto Mancini: "This is an old situation and it is normal when someone does a mistake he should take his responsibilities and Mario (Balotelli) did this. It's normal. He (should) respect himself, not me, because it's important for him to respect himself, very important. I am his manager, like other players, and if he deserves to have other chances he will have them."
    • 14:30 Reading striker Jason Roberts is out with a hip problem. Jem Karacan (knee) and Jimmy Kebe (groin) return to the starting XI from injury, while Danny Guthrie (thigh) is on the bench. Cereal King Sean Morrison (ankle) is still sidelined. Alex McCarthy is out long-term after undergoing shoulder surgery.
    • 14:25 For City there is no Mario Balotelli (virus) while Vincent Kompany (groin) and James Milner (hamstring) return to the bench from their injuries. Young midfielder Karim Rekik gets a start, while Kolo Toure fills in for skipper Kompany, with Joleon Lescott left out. Gareth Barry is back from a ban. Samir Nasri (hamstring) and Aleksandar Kolarov (knee) miss out.
    • 14:20 TEAMS - Manchester City: Hart, Zabaleta, Kolo Toure, Nastasic, Rekik, Garcia, Barry, Silva, Yaya Toure, Aguero, Tevez; Subs: Wright, Kompany, Razak, Milner, Lescott, Sinclair, Dzeko /// Reading: Federici, Gunter, Harte, Mariappa, Pearce, Leigertwood, Karacan, Tabb, McAnuff, Kebe, Pogrebnyak; Subs: Taylor, Shorey, Gorkss, Guthrie, Robson-Kanu, Le Fondre, Hun
    • 14:15 Hello and welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Premier League clash between defending champions Manchester City, currently second, and promoted Reading, struggling at the foot of the table. Kick off at 3pm.

  • Summary

    • 90+3' GOAL! Manchester City 1-0 Reading! Barry produces a diving header from a cross from the left and deep into injury time City do it again!
    • 83' Pearce leaps to meet the corner with a header but it flies wide of the far post. City in danger of going a goal down there.
    • 76' Pogrebnyak sees a shot deflect up and loop into Hart's hands, while all the time Tabb is down on the floor having been knocked to the ground by Rekik when the ball first came in. Not a terrible shot for a penalty, that.
    • 66' Dzeko threatens again! The striker meets a corner at the near post and directs his header just over the bar!
    • 62' Huge chance for City! The home side carve open the Reading defence with an intricate passing move but Zabaleta's cross is just too high for Dzeko to head home from close range.
    • 54' Reading go close! Pogrebnyak is free at the back post from the corner and heads over the bar! He rushed the chance a bit and having lost Zabaleta should really have headed in.
    • 45+1' Aguero surges forward and as he approaches the box opts not to shoot, instead dinking a fine cross to the back post. However, Yaya Toure can't reach it in time.
    • 39' Brilliant from Silva! He is linking up so well with Tevez and plays another one two with the striker before Pearce and Yaya Toure tangle in the box. The City man wants a penalty but it looked very weak.
    • 35' City go close! Silva plays in Tevez with a superb pass and he drills in a rapid cross which Barry rises to meet and heads firmly at Federici.
    • 16' City go close! Aguero touches the ball off to Tevez in fantastic fashion, his team-mate lashing the cushioned pass straight at Adam Federici, who saves well. Tevez picks up the rebound but sees a second effort deflected over.
    • 13' Silva plays a pass into Tevez in the box and when receiving it back takes a gorgeous touch through his legs to find space and then lash a shot wide of the near post.
    • 9' Carlos Tevez plays in Sergio Aguero with a fine pass but the striker can't get to the ball before Adam Federici, who races off his line to smother it.
    • 6' Kebe causes problems from the Reading right again as Hart makes a mistake and City scramble from his cross. He can't find anyone in a yellow Reading shirt though.
    • 14:20 TEAMS - Manchester City: Hart, Zabaleta, Kolo Toure, Nastasic, Rekik, Garcia, Barry, Silva, Yaya Toure, Aguero, Tevez; Subs: Wright, Kompany, Razak, Milner, Lescott, Sinclair, Dzeko /// Reading: Federici, Gunter, Harte, Mariappa, Pearce, Leigertwood, Karacan, Tabb, McAnuff, Kebe, Pogrebnyak; Subs: Taylor, Shorey, Gorkss, Guthrie, Robson-Kanu, Le Fondre, Hun

Team Line-up & Ratings

  • Line-up

    Live Team Line-Up

  • Rate Players

    Rate Players

    Please to rate the players.

    Not already a Yahoo! user ? to get a free Yahoo! Account.

    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      7.3 6
      Defenders
      6.2 7
      6.7 6
      6.5 7
      Substitution Out84′ 5.7 6
      Midfielders
      Substitution Out58′ 6.5 5
      Goal 5.6 7
      7.4 8
      Yellow Card 6.5 6
      Yellow Card 6.2 7
      Strikers
      Substitution Out75′ 6.9 7
      Subs
      Substitution In84′ 5.4 -
      Substitution In75′ 5.8 6
      Substitution In58′ 7 6
    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      7 7
      Defenders
      Yellow Card 6.6 7
      6.8 7
      Yellow Card 6.5 7
      Substitution Out87′ 6.3 7
      Midfielders
      Yellow Card 6.1 6
      6.2 6
      6.8 7
      Substitution Out71′ 5.9 5
      6.5 5
      Strikers
      6.2 6
      Subs
      Substitution In87′ 5.7 -
      Substitution In71′ 6.1 6

Comment 63 - 83 of 83

Sort comments by: Most recent | Most rated

  1. No team is expected to win with 1 shot on target after­ 95 min of play. Ref was lenient to deny City several­ fouls in the area where Reading camped during the game.

    From Jack C, on Sun 23 Dec 13:26

  2. YOU DO NOT LIKE THE TRUTH

    From TERENCE, on Sat 22 Dec 19:15

  3. another man city fluke win

    From Chris, on Sat 22 Dec 18:17

  4. $h*Ty suck!! bought the title last year with QPR's­ send offs. Got blasted out of real futbol in Champions­ League.. would hate to be a fan of a bunch of cast off­ mercenaries...

    From anon1, on Sat 22 Dec 18:09

  5. very lucky city,, every1 has to remember last­ season they didnt win the league by points but by goal­ difference, meaning united where equal to them all­ the way, and now are ahead and will remain till the­ end

    From liaqat, on Sat 22 Dec 17:17

  6. And they say LUCKY ARSENAL. Cut it a bit fine today.

    From stephen, on Sat 22 Dec 17:09

  7. City were awesome very patient football and showed the­ fighting spirit that won the league last season. To­ all those doubters who think the league is won then­ think again its not over till the fat lady sings. CTID

    From PAUL, on Sat 22 Dec 17:05

  8. Good result but made hard work of it

    From M J R, on Sat 22 Dec 17:04

  9. city lol

    From man utd dot com, on Sat 22 Dec 17:02

  10. How did Reading score 2against United? Silly old me­ .United have got a #$%$ defence!!!!!!!!

    From jack, on Sat 22 Dec 17:02

  11. typical sad city win lmao lolllllllllllllllllllllll the­ great rich super team of the world with real spending­ power and the money and power to buy the best in the­ world lol what a team lol im glad i dont support the­ sad bunch of #$%$ lol

    From man utd dot com, on Sat 22 Dec 17:01

  12. Fergie Time! Every team should have some!

    From Leslie, on Sat 22 Dec 17:01

  13. Unlucky Reading - but not a surprise! Need to pull your­ socks up if you are to survive - perhaps January­ transfer window might allow new blood - Reading often­ do better after Christmas!

    From Sally, on Sat 22 Dec 16:59

  14. OOOppps

    From Stephen, on Sat 22 Dec 16:58

  15. Pure luck how is it a team holds out and then switches­ off in stoppage time lucky lucky jammy team

    From stevo, on Sat 22 Dec 16:57

  16. barry'a goal was a blatant foul

    From Badger, on Sat 22 Dec 16:57

  17. city you lucky buggers!!!!!!!!!!!

    From M, on Sat 22 Dec 16:55

  18. LUCKY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    From jeepster, on Sat 22 Dec 16:55

  19. This could nean the end of Mancini if he doesn't­ win this one. United will be happy with this Reading­ performance. It won't however be good enough for­ City who'll be 3 points behind.

    From Eoghan, on Sat 22 Dec 16:54

  20. Hmmmmm i wonder how much City had to pay the ref to­ make sure they got another injury time winner.

    From John, on Sat 22 Dec 16:54
Sort comments by: Most recent | Most rated

Not already a Yahoo! user ? to get a free Yahoo! Account