In-form Devante Cole cancelled out Niall Keown’s 18th minute set-piece with his second sublime individual effort inside a week 20 minutes later, before Marcos Lopes struck from 20 yards out midway through the second period to secure the points.
City were aiming to go into double figures of successive wins in this meeting with the Berkshire outfit at Reading’s Hogwood Park and to stretch their unbeaten run which goes back four months.
The Blues had scored 30 goals in the ten games at under-21 level since October’s defeat at Stamford Bridge and had conceded just five.
...Reading v City EDS report...
An opportunity to move up as high as second in the Barclays under-21 Premier League table was the prize for the Elite Development Squad, if they could negotiate their way past second-bottom Reading.
Patrick Vieira opted to make one change from the side that beat Bolton Wanderers 4-0 last time out, bringing Ellis Plummer into the XI in place of Jason Denayer at the heart of defence.
That meant top-scorer Jordi Hiwula continued to lead the line, supported by Sinan Bytyqi and Cole out wide, with Marcos Lopes, George Glendon and Seko Fofana making up the midfield three.
The hosts arrived into the game equally full of confidence, looking to extend their own unbeaten run to seven games and on the back of a 6-1 Premier League Cup win over Watford and 2-0 league triumph over Aston Villa.
Last season City lost the corresponding fixture 3-0 at the Madejski Stadium after being caught cold with a Royals goal after just 60 seconds and it was the home side who struck first once again, this time after 18 minutes.
There was an element of fortune about the opening goal, with Keown bundling home from a Craig Tanner corner.
Over the course of their nine-game winning run, Vieira’s men had never fallen behind, so a fresh challenge was presented in front of the Frenchman’s team for the remaining 70 minutes.
...Reading v City EDS report...
Reading perhaps could have extended their lead but City keeper Ian Lawlor produced a smart save with his legs from a one-on-one to keep the Royals within striking distance.
City would only have to wait until the 39th minute for their equaliser and it was courtesy of another special solo effort from Cole.
As he did against Bolton last time out, the 18-year old drifted in from his berth out on the left to lead opposition defenders on a merry dance, showing his blistering pace to carry the ball for 30 yards before finishing neatly with his left foot across the goalkeeper.
It was the perfect response from the away side who had contributed fully to an entertaining, open first half in which two sons of former Premier League title-winners in Martin Keown and Andrew Cole, had found the net.
The third goal in the clash looked vital and it was City who got it courtesy of Portuguese playmaker, Marcos Lopes after excellent surging run and assist from Fofana.
This decisive blow arrived with 25 minutes remaining, when the 18-year old struck an unstoppable drive into the bottom corner from 20 yards out to complete the turnaround.
...Reading v City EDS report...
Reading threatened the equaliser with a succession of set-pieces but City’s defenders took their turn to shine, with a series of headers to clear the danger and the rest of the team mucked in and showed their willingness to work without the ball to help the Blues to the full-time whistle with their lead intact.
Overall, perhaps it wasn’t the best performance of the season so far but the players demonstrated character to come back from a goal down and called on the winning mentality in the group to secure the three points.
City now lie in third place in the Barclays u21 Premier League table, with only goal difference separating them from Chelsea in second.
A Valentine’s Day date with Stoke City is next up for Vieira’s men, who now have Fulham in top spot just a win away.
City v Sunderland: Wednesday 12 February
City take on Sunderland in the Premier League on Wednesday 12 February in what will be a dress rehearsal for the Capital One Cup Final in March.
Can the Blues avenge the Stadium of Light defeat earlier this season? A night match under the lights at the Etihad and a preview of the forthcoming final - demand is expected to be high as Manuel Pellegrini’s side attempt to continue their incredible run.
Don’t miss out - ticket details can be found here...
