MANCHESTER City maintained their 100 per cent home Premier League record in dramatic style thanks to Stephen Ireland's last-minute volley at Eastlands.

Martin Petrov put the Blues ahead in the 10th minute, but James Harper equalised just before the break and City struggled to find the breakthrough.

However, Ireland pounced late on to seal City's eighth successive home league win.

Bobby Convey had two half-chances for the visitors before City made the breakthrough through Petrov.

Vedran Corluka began the move and released Ireland who found Elano in the area.

The Brazilian’s effort rattled the post then Emile Mpenza’s shot was blocked by goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann before Petrov found the net.

The finish from Petrov for his fourth goal of the season was emphatic and just the boost City wanted.

Petrov then delivered a good cross into the area but Elano was slightly off balance and failed to test the goalkeeper.

City were growing in confidence following that early breakthrough and Elano was showing no signs of fatigue despite being on duty with Brazil in midweek.

However, they were rocked back on their heels three minutes before half-time when Reading drew level in a swift counter attack.

Convey clipped the ball inside and James Harper found the corner with a sweet finish to the delight of the travelling fans.

Switch

City were then dealt another blow immediately afterwards when Croatia full back Corluka limped off to be replaced by Sun Jihai.

Eriksson decided to make a switch at half-time and brought on Georgios Samaras for Mpenza up front.

However, he saw his side on the back foot in the 47th minute when Kevin Doyle found space down the right.

He tried to pick out Dave Kitson in the centre but put too much weight on the pass and the chance was lost.

City hit back and Ireland tried his luck on goal from an acute angle in the 52nd minute, only for his effort to drift wide.

However, it was Reading who were beginning to string their passes together at this stage and it was the home fans who were getting slightly frustrated.

Elano was beginning to wilt and was replaced by Geovanni in the 58th minute.

Dave Kitson then made space in the area but he was unable to get the better of Richard Dunne, who blocked his path.

City were finding it hard to break Reading down and a snap shot from Geovanni in the 65th minute went narrowly over the top,

City almost regained the lead in the 71st minute when Samaras latched on to a ball from Petrov only for Hahnemann to block his effort.

Reading had not settled for a draw and Doyle picked out Kitson but his finish was wasteful.

There was a buzz of anticipation among the home fans when Geovanni shaped to take a free-kick in the 84th minute but his effort came back off the wall.

Geovanni then hooked the ball over the top from 10 yards before Ireland grabbed a dramatic winner in stoppage time.

He sent a superb volley beyond the goalkeeper after being sent up by Geovanni to send City marching on.

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