Stevie Ireland’s wonder goal ensured that City extended their 100% home league record to eight games.
That the blues needed a last minute strike to get the points was down to two things; an eleven man rearguard from an unadventurous Reading side and a lethargic City performance once they had gone one up.
Perhaps the international week had taken its toll on some of City’s globetrotters but once Petrov had opened the scoring the team seemed content to settle for another 1-0 victory.
Reading sensed this and got themselves back into the game just before half time when Harper finished smartly after some slack play in the City defence.
Corluka and Mpenza were both replaced after picking up minor injuries as City toiled in the second half to break down stubborn Reading resistance.
Reading’s Hunt should have seen red after an horrific, knee high challenge on Fernandes but the novice referee bottled the decision, showing yellow instead and subsequently saving Hunt from retrospective action.
The game only promised one winner; however even that scenario seemed unlikely when Geovanni, on for Elano, did the hard work by creating space from Hamann’s crossfield ball befor firing over with the goal at his mercy.
There was to be one last chance for City though. Sun’s England style long ball was won by Samaras, Geovanni headed it into space on the edge of the area where Ireland was waiting to finish with a stunning volley.
Some writers say it was harsh on Reading but I prefer to reflect on the fact that it was just reward for the only team showing a will to win.
The press still hanker for City to crash but it just isn’t happening. 14 games gone and were still in third place; just a solitary point behind the best yoonited team ever.
Now if only we can find some away form.
Manager Rating
Sven got it spot on again. His stock continues to rise as the press realise just what their xenophobic rants achieved in hounding him out of the England job.