Gareth Barry scored in injury time to end Reading's stubborn resistance and give Manchester City the win this afternoon.
Reading provided a stern test in the opening 45, restricting City to just one clear-cut opportunity in the 15th minute. The Argentinian forward duo of Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero combined but the former was first denied by Adam Federici before failing to find the net with the rebound.
© PA Photos
Tevez tested Federici again with a free kick five minutes after the interval. Reading almost snatched the lead moments later but Alex Pearce's header flashed wide.
Roberto Mancini brought on Edin Dzeko and Scott Sinclair in the hope of finding that elusive goal and it eventually came right at the death.
Reading had an appeal for a penalty turned down when Pavel Pogrebnyak squared for Jay Tabb and the midfielder tumbled under the challenge of debutant Karim Rekik.
David Silva picked out Barry and the Englishman dove forward to send his header past Federici and crush Reading's resolve.
Three points for the Blues means that they have cut the gap to city rivals United to three points, but Sir Alex Ferguson's men travel to Swansea tomorrow for their game in hand. Reading remain rooted to the bottom of the Premier League.
Pascal Lemesre
