Sluggish City set-up Wembley derby

Posted Monday, March 14, 2011 by UK.eurosport.yahoo.com

Silva tested Alex McCarthy with a close-range shot on 19 minutes, while Toue also brought a decent stop from the goalkeeper, but otherwise Reading dealt rather easily with what their illustrious opponents threw at them.

For the Royals, Jobi McAnuff and Noel Hunt had their share of success running at City, although they did not manage a shot on Joe Hart's goal until very late on.

That Mancini's side laboured should not have come as a surprise to anyone following their FA Cup campaign, in which they failed to beat Leicester City and Notts County at the first time of asking.

Silva showed twinkletoes to set up Tevez on 56 minutes, but the Argentine made a mess of his attempted back flick, while he again miskicked from a Shaun Wright-Phillips centre - all contributing to the City captain's filthy mood.

The introduction of Balotelli from the bench was notable only for the fact he was unjustly robbed of his snood as he took the field - the ban on the garments does not come into force until summer. That satorial note aside, the Italian was a non-factor.

The breakthrough finally came on 74 minutes. Silva delivered an outswinging corner from the right, and Richards made an exceptional effort to meet the ball with a powerful header that McCarthy could not keep out.

It was a rare moment of urgency from a City side whose ultra-conservative approach continues to confound. At least their safety-first attitude ensured Reading could not carve out any late openings, and returned home empty-handed despite a fine performance.

City fans will overlook their side's lack of style when they pencil the weekend of April 16/17 into their diary.

They are two matches from ending their 35-year wait for a major trophy - it would be all the sweeter if they could do it after beating their bitter rivals United on the way.

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