Gareth Barry celebrates

By Chris
December 23 2012

Gareth Barry's late winner for Manchester City against Reading has piled pressure on United ahead of Sunday's trip to Swansea. Roberto Mancini's men were frustrated by Reading until finding a winning goal in the closing moments, reducing the gap between them and the Red Devils to three points.

A determined and impressive defensive display from the Royals put them within a whisker of a fine away point - before Barry nodded home David Silva's cross in the second minute of injury time.

United will be eager to reinstate a six-point lead at the top of the Premier League in their final fixture before Christmas on Sunday at Swansea's Liberty Stadium.

The Red Devils will be looking to capitalise on the Jacks' recent league blip as they prepare for only their second Premier League contest on Welsh soil.

Elsewhere, Everton and Arsenal both moved into the Champions League places with victories over West Ham United and Wigan Athletic respectively.

Only goal difference keeps Spurs and West Brom out of the top four. Tottenham had to settle for a goalless home draw against Stoke, whilst the Baggies came from a goal down to beat Norwich.

The Premier League's North East representatives both claimed wins - with Newcastle and Sunderland beating QPR and Southampton respectively, whilst our fierce rivals Liverpool beat Fulham 4-0.