Man City vs Reading Player Ratings

Man City

Joe Hart - 6
It was uncharacteristic of him to make a mistake early on, but Reading could not make him pay. As the game went on, he did not have a save to make and was a mere spectator on the pitch.

Pablo Zabaleta - 7.5
The full back had an excellent game, making the numbers going forward and managed to unsettle the Reading back four. He also ensured he was never caught out of position, especially when McAnuff was lurking and ready to pounce.

Kolo Toure - 6.5
Filled the boots of his injured skipper well, and seems to be improving from game to game.

Matija Nastasic - 7
Pushed further up the pitch to keep Reading in their own half and his man marking on Pogrebnyak was fantastic.

Karim Rekik (84' off) - 6.5
His first start in the Premier League for the 18 year old and despite a nervy start to the game, Rekik showed his manager his potential to play at the highest level despite his tender age.

Javi Garcia (59' off) - 6.5
An added physical threat in midfield and together with Barry and Yaya Toure, bullied the Reading players into submission.

Gareth Barry - 7.5
Had a free header in the first half but what a pity it was straight at Federici. Ensured he got it right the second time when he leaned on Shorey to head home the winner for City!

Yaya Toure - 6
The bullish midfielder surprisingly had a quiet game, making his trademark runs forward but just no end product.

David Silva - 6.5
There were no gaps for the Spaniard to exploit which had an adverse effect on his overall game play. He did however still manage to whip in the telling ball for Barry's goal.

Carlos Tevez (74' off) - 7
Playing on the left but was seen all over the pitch as the game went on. His touches were simply impeccable and linked up well with his team mates. Unfortunately for him, such brilliant play was not reciprocated.

Sergio Aguero - 8
His quick feet gave the Reading defence a headache with his ability to turn defenders at will and his burst of pace. His crosses were also commendable but there were no blue shirts at the end of them.

Substitutions

Edin Dzeko (59' on) - 6
The Super-sub almost scored within 5 minutes after his introduction but his header went narrowly over the bar. Slowly fizzled out of play as the game progressed.

Scott Sinclair (74' on) - 5
Why he was brought on when City were in search of goals remains a mystery.

James Milner (84' on)
N/A

Reading

Adam Federici - 8
Had to weather the storm from the rampant City side and did not deserve to leave the Etihad without a point.

Chris Gunter - 6
A very busy day in the office and was a brick in the yellow Reading wall which frustrated City for large periods of the game.

Alex Pearce - 6.5
Did not keep his eyes on the ball when he had two headers in the game from set pieces to give the visitors the lead.

Adrian Mariappa - 6.5
His team mates relied on him to be on his toes to cut out the dangerous balls from the wider areas. Did not seem bothered by the intense pressure from the home side throughout the game.

Ian Harte (87' off) - 6
Struggled to handle the pace of Silva and Aguero, who always came knocking on his side of the pitch. He later had to be replaced because of an injury, which proved to be the turning point for the defending Champions.

Jem Karacan (71' off) - 6
A couple of poor touches in the middle of the park, but went unpunished. Kept things simple in the middle of the park and even manage to deter the City players from advancing.

Mikele Leigertwood - 6.5
His challenges from midfield were very well timed and kept the key City players quiet.

Jobi McAnuff - 6.5
Always cutting inside to trouble Zabaleta but he did not have many opportunities like that as he was pegged in his own half, like the other eight of his team mates.

Jimmy Kebe - 7
Tried his best to run into space on the counter but he was generally too busy in his own half defending against Rekik and Tevez. But nonetheless the Fredric Kanoute lookalike should be proud of his contribution.

Jay Tabb - 6.5
Was the star of the show with his continuous harassment on the City midfielders. He was probably why City could not penetrate Reading's defence in the first half but nobody will blame him for the drop in work rate in the final minutes of the game due to fatigue.

Pavel Pogrebnyak - 3
The Russian barely had a touch of the ball and though he was the furthest forward, he could not even perform the basics right. His ability to hold up the ball and his off the ball running were simply agonizing to watch.

Substitutions

Danny Guthrie (71' on) - 5
Kept the ball for his team well, but did not venture forward nor create anything in the time he was on.

Nicky Shorey (87' on) - 1
Lazy defending cost his side dear. 80 minutes of hard work from his team mates gone down the drain thanks to his lack of concentration, allowing Barry to comfortably head home the winner without a challenge.