Manchester City maintained their immaculate home record as Stephen Ireland scored a stunning late volley.
Ireland scores stunner as City beat Reading at Eastlands
Manchester City maintained their immaculate home record as Stephen Ireland's stupendous stoppage time volley secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over a Reading side that had played party-poopers to perfection.
Thankfully there was no repeat of the underpant theatrics Ireland showed in scoring a similarly impressive effort earlier in the season against Sunderland, but he is certainly living up to his self-professed Superman tag.
City's football was functional rather than flowing but in the first half was still too good for a Reading side whose own forward forays were as blunt as a rusty knife.
It was all going to script when in the 11th minute from Vedran Corluka's clipped pass, Ireland rolled into the path of Elano. The Brazilian was off pace all afternoon following midweek international exertions and his finish against the post was tepid.
However, following an almighty scramble in the box, the ball eventually broke for Martin Petrov to stab home from close range.
City proceeded to play with Reading like a cat does mouse but not having the killer touch looked to have cost them two points, as Steve Coppell's side conjured the most unlikely of levellers as the first half drew to its close.
Bobby Convey made progress down the left flank as City snoozed and from his pull-back, Harper's curled finish was so much better than which had preceded it.
That is until stoppage time, when from Geovanni's intelligent knock-down, Ireland struck with power, precision and no little beauty from the edge of the box.
Convey had two half-chances for the visitors before City made the breakthrough through Petrov after 11 minutes, with the Bulgarian grabbing his fourth goal of the season and providing City with just the boost they wanted.
Petrov then delivered a good cross into the area but Elano was slightly off balance and failed to test the goalkeeper.
Rocked
City were rocked back on their heels three minutes before half-time when Reading drew level in a swift counter attack.
Convey clipped the ball inside and Harper found the corner with a sweet finish to the delight of the travelling fans.
Eriksson decided to make a switch at half-time and brought on Georgios Samaras for Mpenza up front.
However, he saw his side on the back foot in the 47th minute when Kevin Doyle found space down the right.
He tried to pick out Dave Kitson in the centre but put too much weight on the pass and the chance was lost.
City hit back and Ireland tried his luck on goal from an acute angle in the 52nd minute, only for his effort to drift wide.
However, it was Reading who were beginning to string their passes together at this stage and it was the home fans who were getting slightly frustrated.
Elano was beginning to wilt and was replaced by Geovanni in the 58th minute.
Buzz
City were finding it hard to break Reading down and a snap shot from Geovanni in the 65th minute went narrowly over the top.
City almost regained the lead in the 71st minute when Georgios Samaras latched on to a ball from Petrov only for Marcus Hahnemann to block his effort.
Reading had not settled for a draw and Doyle picked out Kitson but his finish was wasteful.
There was a buzz of anticipation among the home fans when Geovanni shaped to take a free-kick in the 84th minute but his effort came back off the wall.
Geovanni then hooked the ball over the top from 10 yards before Ireland grabbed a dramatic winner in stoppage time.
He sent a superb volley beyond the goalkeeper after being sent up by Geovanni.
| Manchester City |
Team Statistics |
Reading |
| 2 |
Goals |
1 |
| 1 |
1st Half Goals |
1 |
| 7 |
Shots on Target |
1 |
| 4 |
Shots off Target |
2 |
| 3 |
Blocked Shots |
1 |
| 2 |
Corners |
7 |
| 11 |
Fouls |
15 |
| 2 |
Offsides |
2 |
| 0 |
Yellow Cards |
2 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 83.2 |
Passing Success |
67.8 |
| 21 |
Tackles |
11 |
| 85.7 |
Tackles Success |
81.8 |
| 66.2 |
Possession |
33.8 |
| 47.6 |
Territorial Advantage |
52.4 |
|
