Manchester City began life without Roberto Mancini by visiting the Madejski Stadium to face Reading on Tuesday evening.
Last season's Premier League champions dominated for most of the contest, with Sergio Aguero giving the away side the lead just before half time.
Reading showed great fight to frustrate their opponents in the second half, but Edin Dzeko scored late on to ensure that caretaker manager Brian Kidd enjoyed victory just a day after the departure of Mancini.
Read below to find out how events unfolded at the Madejski.
9.58pmThanks for joining me for the game tonight and make sure you return to SPORTS MOLE on Sunday as we take you through the final day of the Premier League season. Goodnight!
9.57pmMancini may have gone and we're yet to find out who the Italian's replacement will be. However, we have once again seen the quality that this squad possesses and you can be sure they'll be contenders once again next season.
9.55pmThat is Reading's final home game of the Premier League season. The Royals will hope that their absence from the top flight doesn't last too long.
9.53pmCity win their first game since the departure of Mancini and they've certainly deserved three points tonight. Reading battled until the final whistle but they just didn't have enough to worry the visitors tonight.
90+2 minFULL-TIME: READING 0-2 MANCHESTER CITY
90+1 minCHANCE! There's still time for one more brilliant save to be made by McCarthy. Tevez plays the ball into Dzeko before taking it back and firing the ball towards the bottom corner but he's denied by a another fingertip save.
90 minReading have been much better in the second half and they are still trying to attack. Two minutes of stoppage time to be played.
89 minIt's all over now at the Madejski Stadium. Reading give the ball away and Silva picks out Dzeko just inside the box. The Bosnian makes no mistake this time as he takes a touch before slotting the ball past McCarthy.
88 minGOAL! READING 0-2 MANCHESTER CITY (DZEKO)
86 minCHANCE! City work a short corner well to find Toure in space and he fires a long range effort at goal. Guess what happened? Yes, that's right. McCarthy throws himself to the right to tip the ball over the crossbar. Stunning goalkeeping.
84 minCity launch a counter attack as they look to put the result beyond doubt. The move comes to a disappointing end though as Toure slices a shot wide.
83 minGood move by Reading as Guthrie finds Karacan in space but his 25-yard effort is kept out by Hart, who is happy to push the swerving ball away.
82 minReading should be proud of the effort they've put in during this second half. Guthrie delivers another corner but Dzeko does enough to clear the danger.
80 minDzeko shows his wild side as he collects a pass from Tevez before hitting one of the worst shots I've seen this season into the stands.
78 minCHANCE! McCleary fires a shot at goal but Lescott gets a block in to concede a corner. Mariappa heads towards goal but Tevez is in the right place to clear the ball off the line.
75 minHart also deserves credit for his performance tonight, even if he hasn't been as busy as McCarthy. Guthrie's cross is headed across goal but England's number one reacts first to collect the ball.
73 minCHANCE! Toure unleashes a superb effort at goal but the midfielder is left in disbelief as McCarthy dives to tip the ball over the crossbar. Brilliant display from the young man tonight.
72 minCHANCE!: Dzeko is a handful for the Reading defenders as he creates space for himself before firing at goal. McCarthy reacts well to keep hold of the ball.
71 minBlackman makes an immediate impact as he wins a corner but Guthrie's delivery is poor and City are able to clear.
69 minSUBSTITUTION! Neil Blackman is introduced to the game as he replaces McAnuff.
68 minMcCleary delivers a dangerous cross deep into the box and Clichy's poor header puts the visitors under more pressure until Hart leaps highest to take a good catch.
66 minCity look like they might double their lead as Tevez breaks free of the Reading defence but the flag is raised and the forward is offside.
64 minMcCleary cannot be faulted for his effort as he sprints down the wing once again, beating Maicon in the process. However, there's little support for McCleary and he soon loses possession.
63 minSUBSTITUTION! Aguero has been limping for the last couple of minutes and Kidd decides to give him a break as he sends on Dzeko.
62 minSUBSTITUTION! Pogrebnyak walks off the pitch and is replaced by Le Fondre.
61 minTevez drifts out wide before exchanging passes with Silva but the forward is wayward with his shot as he fires the ball into the stands.
59 minMorrison has been superb at the back for Reading tonight. He tracks Aguero well to prevent the striker from converting Milner's dangerous cross.
57 minSUBSTITUTION! City make their second change as Barry departs to be replaced by Javi Garcia.
56 minCHANCE! Toure is gifted too much space on the edge of the box and attempts to curl the ball into the bottom corner but McCarthy is once again in top form as he tips the shot away from danger.
54 minToure starts a move with a great burst of pace through the midfielder and almost finishes it perfectly but he can't control Aguero's header inside the box.
52 minCity regain control following that Reading chance and Tevez should do better when he pulls a cross back behind the advancing forward players.
51 minCHANCE! Pogrebnyak has barely been involved all night but he almost pulls his side level with a great diving header. However, Hart reacts superbly to keep the ball out.
50 minCHANCE! Tevez tricks his way through two Reading defenders before firing a low drive across the area to force McCarthy into a good stop.
48 minMilner seems to be finding space every few seconds in this game tonight. The England international wastes an opportunity from the right though as he sends a wayward cross over his teammates.
47 minCity start well following the break with Aguero threatening with his pace but Morrison does well to dispossess the forward.
46 minCity get the second half underway. No change for either side during the interval.
9.01pmBoth teams are back out at the Madejski Stadium. It will be interesting to see Reading's response early in the second half.
8.58pmAdkins will be happy that his side are just one goal behind at the moment because City have had the possession to be further ahead. City must take their chances and Reading need to create some more of their own.
8.55pmIn tonight's other game Arsenal are currently level at 1-1 with Wigan at the Emirates Stadium.
8.52pmMcCarthy has been in superb form for Reading recently and he showed his promising talent once again in that first half. Saves from Aguero and Milner mean that Reading still have a chance.
8.50pmMan City head into the break leading thanks to Aguero's smart finish late in the first half. Last season's champions have certainly been the better side but Reading will be annoyed that they couldn't take their own chances.
45+1 minSilva and Milner exchange passes again but the former is uncharacteristically wayward with his final delivery.
44 minMan City are finishing the first half just as they started it but Reading need to keep their opponents out until the interval.
42 minCHANCE! Aguero has burst into life now as he beats Mariappa before having a drilled effort saved by McCarthy.
40 minMilner and Silva show their ability as they combine brilliantly to find Aguero, who takes his opportunity by passing the ball into the bottom corner. Reading's resistance is broke, can they respond?
40 minGOAL! READING 0-1 MAN CITY (AGUERO)
38 minThe weather is absolutely dreadful tonight. It's spoiling the atmosphere a bit but it doesn't stop Barry winning a goal kick under big pressure from two Reading players.
36 minYELLOW CARD! McCleary is an obvious threat to this City side as he breaks through midfield but Barry stops his progress with a cynical foul and rightly goes into the book.
34 minCHANCE! Guthrie and McCleary exchange neat passes and the latter picks out Robson-Kanu but his controlled effort is kept out by Hart. Big opportunity for the hosts.
32 minToure is being forced to pick the ball up from deep due to Reading's persistence to regain possession in midfield. It's clever play from the hosts but they must take any opportunity they get.
31 minCity launch a great counter attack and Tevez sees a close range header superbly saved by McCarthy. The flag was up but the Reading goalkeeper deserves credit for that stop.
30 minReading are impressing following that nervous start but they miss out on creating an opportunity when Lescott catches Robson-Kanu before dispossessing his opponent.
29 minCHANCE! McCleary showcases his frightening pace as he bursts into the box and forces Hart into a good low save.
28 minSHOT! Robson-Kanu turns Barry in the middle of the pitch but his speculative effort from 30 yards out flies over the crossbar.
27 minSuperb from Aguero as he skips past three Reading defenders before releasing Clichy, who misses everyone with his cross.
25 minGunter finds Robson-Kanu, who uses his trickery to create space but Barry does superbly to clear the winger's delivery.
23 minMilner once again looks the most likely to unlock this Reading defence as he finds some space on the right but his final ball is poor and he fails to pick out Aguero or Tevez.
21 minCity wrestle back control from Reading and substitute Maicon is beginning to look dangerous as he raids down the right side.
18 minAdkins is starting to see a response from his players, with Karacan and Guthrie both showing great desire to win the ball back on separate occasions. City threaten to break but Morrison does well to clear Milner's cross.
17 minCHANCE! Kidd will be beginning to worry slightly as Robson-Kanu drills a shot just wide of Hart's post.
15 minReading have looked much better in the last couple of minutes as they begin to pass the ball about very nicely in midfield. Can they find a way through this City defence?
13 minSUBSTITUTION: Kolo Toure is in a bit of pain after going to the ground unchallenged. It looks like he'll have to come off and it's Maicon who replaces the Ivorian.
12 minKidd cannot sit still on the touchline as he keeps coming off the bench to shout orders at the team.
10 minIt's all City at the moment and Reading cannot afford to let this match continue in the same fashion for much longer.
8 minCHANCE! Aguero misses another opportunity as he fires an effort straight at McCarthy following good work from Silva.
6 minCHANCE! Milner beats two defenders before picking out Aguero on the right side of the box but the striker is denied by McCarthy.
5 minReading finally begin to pass the ball around and they're able to move further up the pitch but City are dealing with the threat easily.
3 minCity have relaxed at the Madejski and Reading just haven't started. The visitors enjoy a long spell of possession on the edge of the box and Silva is close to breaking through the defence.
2 minMan City start well as they earn an early corner but the hosts clear and Milner then strikes an effort high over the crossbar.
1 minBoth teams are ready to begin. The referee blows his whistle and we're underway.
7.57pmThere's a few banners in the away end as City fans choose tonight to thank Mancini. It's Kidd's turn to take charge though and his first game as caretaker manager is three minutes away.
7.55pmReading have just had a short presentation on the pitch to award the player of the season award to Adam Le Fondre.
7.51pmIt's prediction time! The mood may be low at City but I think the visitors will have just enough quality to claim a victory tonight - Reading 1-2 City.
7.46pmA late Gareth Barry goal was enough to give City three points when the two sides met in Manchester just before Christmas. Adkins will surely already have an eye on next season but you cannot rule out a win for the Royals tonight.
7.42pmIt's very wet at the Madejski Stadium tonight. I'm not sure if that will have much impact but the damp surface could help City's attacking players.
7.38pmWe're just over 20 minutes away from kickoff but if you want to keep up with tonight's other Premier League match, you can join Joe Fish here: Arsenal vs. Wigan
7.26pmCity have only lost twice in their last 10 league games but they look a club who are desperate for the start of the post-season. If Manuel Pellegrini, who is currently favourite to replace Mancini, is to enjoy success next year then he must improve the spirit around the Etihad.
7.21pmNigel Adkins names an unchanged team for the penultimate game of the season. Can the Royals provide a shock tonight?
7.20pmVincent Kompany misses out tonight and that may just give the Reading attack an extra bit of of confidence but with Silva, Aguero and Tevez all starting, the hosts will have their own problems to worry about.
7.18pmKidd makes four changes to the City side that lost to Wigan at Wembley on Saturday as Milner, Richards, Lescott and K. Toure come into the team.
7.17pmREADING BENCH: Taylor, Pearce, Harte, Carrico, Akpan, Blackman, Le Fondre
MAN CITY BENCH: Pantilimon, Maicon, Kolarov, Garcia, Nasri, Rodwell, Dzeko
7.15pmREADING: McCarthy, Gunter, Morrison, Mariappa, Kelly, Karacan, Guthrie, McCleary, McAnuff (C), Robson-Kanu, Pogrebnyak
7.12pmMAN CITY: Hart, Richards (C), Clichy, K Toure, Lescott, Milner, Y Toure, Barry, Silva, Tevez, Aguero
7.10pmBREAKING NEWS: Big story coming out ahead of this game with the news that David Platt has left Manchester City. Platt, who assisted Mancini alongside Kidd, has decided to follow the Italian out the exit door. Follow the breaking news here - Platt leaves City.
7.06pmOne thing is certain, City will end the season without a trophy following their FA Cup final loss to Wigan Athletic but it could be a lot worse. Reading supporters are preparing themselves for a return to the Championship but the relegated team could end their home season on a high with a win over the former Premier League champions.
7.03pmHello to everyone who joins me tonight for this clash between Reading and Manchester City. The blue side of Manchester are still coming to terms to life without the sacked Roberto Mancini. The Italian's former assistant, Brian Kidd, is in charge tonight but can he bring some joy back to Manchester with a win at the Madejski Stadium.