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Played
March 13, 2011 4:45 PM GMT
Etihad Stadium — Manchester
Referee: L. Probert
Attendance: 41150
March 13, 2011 4:45 PM GMT
Etihad Stadium — Manchester
Referee: L. Probert
Attendance: 41150
74′
Micah Richards
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| Manchester City | 1.36 | 1.36 | 0.00 | 1.36 | 1.10 | 1.35 | 1.01 |
| Draw | 4.80 | 4.60 | 0.00 | 4.75 | 7.50 | 4.70 | 13.00 |
| Reading | 8.00 | 8.50 | 0.00 | 9.00 | 67.00 | 9.00 | 100.00 |
Top of the Match
David Silva
Manchester City FC
Manchester City FC
David Silva
Manchester City FC
Manchester City FC
Flop of the Match
Mikele Leigertwood
Reading
Reading
Carlos Tévez
Manchester City FC
Manchester City FC
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Manchester City 1-0 Reading: Second-Half Micah Richards Header Sets Up Semi-Final Clash With Manchester United
The Citizens edged through at the expense of the Championship side.
By Matt Monaghan at Eastlands
Getty Images
A Micah Richards header helped Manchester City beat Reading and secure a tantalising Wembley FA Cup semi-final meeting with Manchester United.
The right-back's 74th minute effort ended the club's 30-year wait to reach the latter stages of the competition, and defeated the resilient Royals, who showed a dogged spirit but couldn't provide the support to 20-goal lone striker Shane Long.
For the hosts, manager Roberto Mancini made four changes to the side that lost 2-0 to Dynamo Kiev in the Europa League on Thursday. Top scorer Carlos Tevez was welcomed back along with Nigel de Jong, Patrick Vieira and Shaun Wright-Phillips as Edin Dzeko, Gareth Barry, Mario Balotelli and Pablo Zabaleta made way.
Despite the buzz that surged through Eastlands at the prospect of an all-Manchester semi-final, Reading edged the opening minutes. Wingers Jobi McAnuff and Jimmy Kebe caused repeat problems, with the former forcing a corner five minutes in which came to nothing.
Reading's drive ensured they matched their vaunted opponents in most areas but they struggled to keep a lid on Silva's artistry. A wonderful, 20-yard lofted through-ball on the twist from the £24 million summer signing beat the offside trap and put the on-rushing Toure one-on-one with McCarthy on 28 minutes but the Irishman stood tall and ricocheted the effort wide off his legs.
City's class was beginning to tell and they continued to turn the screw as the half ebbed towards conclusion. In thd 41st minute, Toure's long legs and gargantuan frame bundled past Zurab Khizanishvilli on the right wing but the combination of Tevez and Wright-Phillips was crowded out by the scrambling defence from the Ivorian's cross.
Reading had been on the ropes at the end of the first-half and were almost floored by an own-goal from centre forward Shane Long. The Irishman skimmed a 46th minute Aleksandar Kolarov corner towards the net, only for Jay Tabb to stick out a vital leg.
City now had a grip on the match and in the 74th minute they finally went in front through the head of Richards. The defender powerfully rose to meet an out-swinging corner from Silva to tee up a mouthwatering meeting with United.
Stung by the concession, Reading began to threaten City in the air. In the 82nd minute, stand-in centre-back Bryn Gunnarsson headed a deep Ian Harte free-kick wide of Hart's far post, and although nerves were frayed among the home support, City managed to hold on to the slender lead to set up the tie of the season.
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Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking
Fans' Man of the Match
Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
Times In GMT
Live
Final
scheduled
Suspended
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Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Danny Hylton Striker Aldershot |
8 | 0 |
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Carlos Tévez Striker Manchester City |
5 | 0 |
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Scott Rendell Striker Luton Town |
4 | 1 |
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Marvin Sordell Striker Bolton |
4 | 1 |
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Demba Ba Striker Chelsea |
4 | 0 |
