READING FC Women pulled off one of their biggest ever results with a shock 2-0 victory at Women’s Super League 1 title-favourites Manchester City.

England boss Phil Neville was in attendance at the Academy Stadium to cast an eye over a number of players.

And the former Manchester United star will have been hugely impressed with Kelly Chambers’ Royals as they recorded their first ever win over City on Sunday.

Reading remain in a mid-table spot, but they are having a big say in the title race.

Their win against City denied the hosts the chance to climb to the top of the table.

And a week earlier they had also taken points off City’s chief rivals Chelsea in a 2-2 away draw.

Manchester City flew out of the traps last weekend and saw Nikita Parris go close several times.

But it was Royals who broke the deadlock in the 34th minute thanks to a superb strike from Remi Allen.

City failed to clear the danger a number of times before Allen punished them in style when she fired in a spectacular bicycle kick for her sixth goal of the campaign.

The visitors then had a crucial goal-line clearance from former Blues forward Natasha Harding to thank for denying Parris an equaliser moments later.

Parris appeared to be out of luck as she also hit the crossbar early in the second half.

Royals compounded City’s frustration by doubling their lead in the 61st minute when Jo Potter’s cross was expertly headed home by Kirsty Pearce.

Chambers’ side were forced to dig even deeper in the latter stages after Potter was shown a straight red for dragging down Parris and denying a goalscoring opportunity.

But Royals held out for their fifth win of the season and arguably their most impressive yet.

Chambers beamed: “The football we played and the way we defended was outstanding, I think the girls deserve the result.

“Remi Allen has really kicked on this year, that’s six goals from midfield which is fantastic and nice to see.

“We need to make sure that this run of form continues and we keep competing with the best in the country.”

Manchester City manager Nick Cushing stated: “The game was a grind with the travel and amount of games we’ve had.

“Although we didn’t create a lot of clear cut opportunities, we took the game to Reading in the end. In the end, we saw one team that was fresh and one team that was tired.”

Reading’s next fixture is away to Arsenal on Wednesday April 18.

Chambers added: “You could say that the international break is going to kill us a little bit, just because we are on a good run of form.

“The players will go away, they will try and look after themselves. We will get them back and make sure we will look after them and be ready for Arsenal.”

Manchester City: Roebuck, McManus, Houghton, Beattie, Stokes, Scott (Christiansen 49), Walsh, Stanway, Parris, Ross (Nadim 56), Lawley (Emslie 62). Subs not used: Bardsley, Jans, Middag.

Reading: Earps, Rowe, Potter, Pearce, Harding, Moore, Furness, Williams, Allen, Bruton, Chaplen (Green 88). Subs not used: Moloney, Linnett, Fletcher, Gaine. Booked: Rowe 74. Red cards: Potter 81.

Referee: Helen Conley.

Attendance: 1,274.