The Premier League's bottom side, Reading, have held Manchester City to a 0-0 scoreline at the interval this afternoon.

Adrian Mariappa went into referee Mike Dean's notebook in just the second minute for a rash challenge on Carlos Tevez as Reading looked to ruffle their lofty opponents' feathers.

© PA Photos

Joe Hart almost gifted a goal to the visitors but Jimmy Kebe couldn't take advantage of the England stopper's underhit pass to debutant Karim Rekik.

City's Argentinian forward duo of Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero combined on the quarter-hour mark but the former was well kept out by Adam Federici.

Tevez presented an opportunity for Gareth Barry to head in but the Englishman's firm effort went straight at Federici as Reading continued to deny City any clear-cut openings.