Ingimarsson the brave Royal hero

Reading 1-0 Man City: Ivar Ingimarsson proved to be Reading's hero in their 1-0 home win over Manchester City tonight.

Ingimarsson's brave diving header on 23 minutes earned the Royals three points which saw them fly up to eighth in the Premiership table.

And they saw out the closing stages with ease after Dabo was given a harsh red card by referee Howard Webb for an elbow on Steve Sidwell.

The hosts had started brightly, with Leroy Lita's second-minute shot testing Nicky Weaver.

City then enjoyed a dominant period, with Claudio Reyna, Paul Dickov and Trevor Sinclair drawing fine saves from Marcus Hahnemann.

But it was Steve Coppell's troops who broke the deadlock, Ingimarsson steeping low to head home Bobby Convey's free-kick from the right.

The goalscorer had a fierce strike tipped over the crossbar on 32 and Seol Ki-Hyeon powered a free header over before the interval.

Then after a slow start, City boss Stuart Pearce sent on Hatem Trabelsi and Georgios Samaras, who immediately had a shot saved.

The Greek star looked lively and had an 18-yard drive tipped wide of the upright on 68 before Reyna skied a free shot over the bar.

But after Kevin Doyle volleyed over for the hosts, City lost any momentum they were building when Dabo was sent for an early bath - and Reading held on for a second home win of the campaign, with Doyle even having a late shot cleared off the goal-line.