Reading, with American Bobby Convey on the left side of midfield and Marcus Hahnemann in goal, now has six points in four games. Man City has four points from four games but has yet to score a goal from open play.

Manchester City also started American Claudio Reyna in midfield. Another American, DaMarcus Beasley who moved to Man City last month from PSV Eindhoven, was not on the roster of 16 players available for the game.

City had much of the possession, but seldom mounted an attack in the Reading half of the field.

City played with 10 players from the 80th minute when Frenchman Ousmane Dabo was sent off with a red card.

Manchester United leads the league with 12 points from four games. Portsmouth and Everton have 10 and two-time defending champion Chelsea has nine.