14-17C
Premier League live: Man City v Reading
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Afternoon everyone and welcome to our Premier League blog. Our main focus will on the Manchester City V Reading game, but as always, we will be keeping you right up-to-date with all the other games from the Premier League 3pm kick-offs. -
Teamsheet:
Manchester City: Hart, Zabaleta, Kolo Toure, Nastasic, Rekik, Garcia, Barry, Silva, Yaya Toure, Aguero, Tevez
Subs: Wright, Kompany, Razak, Milner, Lescott, Sinclair, Dzeko
Reading: Federici, Gunter, Harte, Mariappa, Pearce, Leigertwood, Karacan, Tabb, McAnuff, Kebe, Pogrebnyak
Subs: Taylor, Shorey, Gorkss, Guthrie, Robson-Kanu, Le Fondre, Hun
The referee today is Mike Dean -
There are a few crucial injuries for both sides.
For City, Captain Vincent Kompany is struggling with a groin injury and can only make the bench, Samir Nasri is out with a hamstring, while Aleksander Kolarov (knee) and Mario Balotelli (virus) are also unable to play today.
Reading are without striker Jason Roberts (hip) and Sean Morrison (ankle), while Danny Gutherie recovers from a thigh problem to make the bench. -
So guys how do you all see this going?
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1' We're underway and City kick off, playing from left to right
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3' First corner to City. Tevez teases the Reading defence before crossing in for Aguero but ball is cleared quite needlessly
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3' Corner is cleared and Reading try to take some pressure off their defence
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5' Man City having all the possession so far in this game. It could be a long day for the visitors
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6' Hart comes out to clear after the ball is left to him by Rekik, who makes a complete hash of it. Lucky there was no striker to take advantage
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18 year old Rekik is making his PL debut today following Kolarov's knee injury
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8' Reading are not afraid to get stuck in here. Matching City on the physical side so far
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9' Aguero plays a great through ball to Tevez but Federici gets off his line quickly to intercept
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11' Great play by Aguero as he easily gets into the box and crosses but no-one there to get on the end of it. Eventually put out for a corner by Kebe. Good chance
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Rekik is the seventh Dutchman to play for #MCFC in Prem League, same number as #MUFC, only Chelsea have played more: 10 [via @InfostradaNL]by jouracule via twitter 12/22/2012 3:13:50 PM -
12' Chance for City, this time its Silva who strikes the ball just wide from 8 yards. Reading giving the home side way too much respect in the early stages
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16' Great chance for Tevez. Once again Aguero sets him up who lays off a great pass for Tevez to only strike the ball right at the keeper. City are sniffing here
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Key Fact: Man City have won all 13 of the Premier League games that Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez have started together
Can they make it 14 today? -
19' Reading just happy to defend for now. The plan must be not to concede early
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GOALFLASH
Carlton Cole has scored at Upton Park to put the Hammers one-nil up
West Ham 1-0 Everton -
23' Free for City on the edge of the box. Nastasic tries to get on the end of it but Federici is there once again to relieve some pressure
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Key Fact: Reading have averaged just 40% possession in the Premier League this season; lower than ever other PL team.
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25' All 11 Reading players are just content to remain in their own half and let City come at them
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27' Another foul made by Reading and a yellow card comes to Alex Pearce. Mikle Dean had no choice
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28' Pogrebnyak getting very frustrated and tackles Rekik with no attempt to play the ball. Lucky to get away with only a warning
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GOALFLASH
On form Norwich have taken the lead at the Hawthorns through Robert Snodgrass
West Brom 0-1 Norwich City -
31' Half an hour gone and I don't think Mancini will be too happy what he has seen so far. They have been all over Reading but have only has 1 or 2 serious chances
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33' The crowd have completely died down. It's so bad, I can even hear the players talking to one another
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34' Reading have weathered the early storm and are definitely growing in confidence
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35' Tevez crosses a dangerous ball and and Barry gets to it but can only header it right at Federici. Good positioning by the keeper
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36' Brian McDermott is going mental on the sideline but I have a feeling he'll be pretty happy with the game so far
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The small travelling crowd are the ones making all the noise here.
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38' Big penalty appeal for City. Toure is pulled down by Gunter 4 yards out from goal after Tevez plays a great pass in but no call by Mike Dean
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40' Yaya Toure gets a cheer every time he receives the ball. This is in recognition of the Ivorian winning a second consecutive 'African player of the year' award
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42' Zabaleta drills a ball through but Pearce is there with a great block. Another corner for City
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43' Once again, the corner is cleared and Federici is getting booed for trying to waste time. The City fans are more frustrated at their won team, rather than the Reading goalkeeper
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44' Reading have been unbelievable in defence so far today. Can they keep it up is the question
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45' Silva tries to dink a pass into Zabaleta's path but there are too many defenders there. This style of play will give Reading a great belief
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46' McAnuff and Kebe make a huge blunder setting Aguero off. The Argentine once again fails to find a teammate. There will be 1 added minute
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47' Mike Dean wraps up the first half and it remains goaless. The team in last place are holding the champions away from home. We will be back again shortly for coverage of the second half.
Half Time: Manchester City 0-0 Reading -
GOALFLASH
Big news at Saint Mary's as Steven Fletcher has taken the lead for Sunderland
Southampton 0-1 Sunderland -
GOALFLASH
Zoltan Gera has equalised for WBA after 43 mins
West Brom 1-1 Norwich City -
So guys. can ye see Reading hanging on for a draw, or even sneak a win, or is it only a matter of time before City break the deadlock?
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It could've been 3-0 come on #mcfc let's go for the winby Sr_Enoel via twitter 12/22/2012 3:59:43 PM -
RT @superguidetti: We are getting closer and closer soon the goal will come !! Come on #MCFC !!!!by Paula Burela via twitter 12/22/2012 3:59:55 PM