Manchester City guarantee second place with win at Reading

Manchester City have managed to win at already-relegated Reading in their first match since manager Roberto Mancini was sacked.

The victory guarantees second place in the Premier League for last year's champions, who were overseen by Brian Kidd.

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The visitors were into their stride quickly at the Madejski Stadium and Royals keeper Alex McCarthy twice had to deny Sergio Aguero in the opening 10 minutes.

Reading began to come into the match as the first half wore on and Hal Robson-Kanu and Gareth McCleary both forced Joe Hart into action before City took the lead five minutes before the break.

David Silva and James Milner exchanged passes before the latter found Aguero, who passed into the net.

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Early in the second half both sides had chances as Carlos Tevez tested McCarthy before Pavel Pogrebnyak was denied by Hart's quick reactions.

Yaya Toure was next to bring the best out of McCarthy as the Ivorian twice saw fierce shots tipped away from goal by the youngster.

In the 78th minute Reading almost equalised but Adrian Mariappa's header was cleared off the line by Tevez.

Toure was again in disbelief four minutes from time when McCarthy kept him out again but the Reading stopper was beaten for a second time in the 88th minute as City wrapped up the win.

David Silva was presented with the ball and he picked out substitute Edin Dzeko who slotted home.

There was still time for McCarthy to thwart City one last time as Dzeko saw a low shot finger-tipped wide.