READING 0, MANCHESTER CITY 2
Manchester City only needed a point from 2 games to cement second place against already relegated Reading but there was enhanced interest in their laboured late victory at a rain soaked Madjeski Stadium due to the sacking of Roberto Mancini last night.
City announced prior to the game that David Platt had elected to leave his role as Assistant Manager at the club.
Platt had been offered the chance to stay at the club but declined and left the club along with his close friend Roberto Mancini.
A statement said: “David has made a significant contribution to the Club’s success since joining in 2010 and we wish him well with his career wherever that now takes him.”
Brian Kidd took charge of City for the first of two remaining games in the season and made four changes from the FA Cup final. Pablo Zabaleta was suspended following his red card while Vincent Kompany, Matija Nastasic and Samir Nasri made way for Micah Richards, Kolo Toure, Joleon Lescott and James Milner.
Over 1000 City fans inhabited the away end at a rain lashed Madejski Stadium with a pair of banners giving thanks to departed manager Roberto Mancini and song of support for the Italian in the early stages of the games.
Reading had ‘keeper Alex McCarthy to thank for keeping City’s lead down to 1-0 at half time. A succession of early chances for the visitors were repelled McCarthy with a double save from Milner and Sergio Aguero the highlight of a hatful of chances from a side showing much more vigour than at Wembley at the weekend.
The game reflected City’s season overall, however, with chances to put the game out of reach going begging and Reading always within reach of an equaliser until late on when a second goal killed their resistance.
Reading were rested, however, and came back with some of their best work coming from Garath McCleary who tested Joe Hart towards the end of the first half.
It was City who went deservedly ahead though and a City corner saw Milner find Aguero who stabbed the ball home five minutes before half time.
Pavel Pogrebnyak tested Joe Hart in the second half but in truth City were comfortable winners of this game although they should have made the game safe much sooner as Reading had a late surge and put City under pressure in the closing stages but couldn’t make the breakthrough.
Finally, City sealed the points with minutes to spare when substitute David Silva was gifted a loose ball on the edge of the Reading area and slid the ball through to substitute Edin Dzeko whose clinical finish finally killed off Reading.