Robbie Fowler scored twice as Manchester City secured their first league victory in 15 games.

Bolton's makeshift back four just could not handle the former England striker, who looked back to his mischievous best.

Curiously he also found the target when City last won in the top flight on November 1 when Southampton were defeated.

It has been a downward spiral for manager Kevin Keegan since then - but there was much to admire from his side at the Reebok Stadium.

They fought back from going a goal behind - Kevin Nolan opened the scoring - to out-smart the Carling Cup finalists.

Bolton manager Sam Allardyce handed debuts to defenders John Otsemobor and Steve Howey - against his former club.

But they found it hard going alongside Simon Charlton and Anthony Barness.

Allardyce also left Jay-Jay Okocha on the bench after he only returned late this week from African Nations Cup duty for Nigeria.

Bolton, however, made a bright start and almost took the lead after seven minutes when Youri Djorkaeff delivered a marvellous half volley inside the area. However David James threw himself across the face of the goal to parry his effort.

Barness then picked out Per Frandsen with a short throw-in after 13 minutes. The Danish midfielder turned quickly and rattled in a shot from 25 yards only to see it clear the bar.

Charlton almost put the home side ahead in the 19th minute when his chip clipped the bar and was turned away by James.

Bolton made the breakthrough after 22 minutes thanks to Nolan's 10th goal of the season from midfield.

He fired home a superb volley after City's Sylvain Distin had only half cleared a free-kick from Djorkaeff.

Bolton kept up the pressure and Henrik Pedersen scuffed the ball across the face of the goal after being released by Ivan Campo.

City stormed back and Jon Macken saw his effort tipped over by Jussi Jaaskelainen before they equalised.

Fowler got away from his marker in the 27th minute to head home a corner from Michael Tarnat.

Fowler got his second of the game three minutes later when he got on the end of a long clearance from James to thump a shot into the corner.

That double blast from Fowler, which took his tally to nine goals, had lifte City and they were playing with renewed confidence.

Tarnat delivered a long ball from the left into the path of Sinclair but his effort was blocked by Jaaskelainen.

Bolton tried to regroup and won a corner on the left. It was delivered by Djorkaeff and Campo got clear only to head wide.

Then Djorkaeff tried to place a free kick beyond James but it only ended up in the England goalkeeper's arms.

Djorkaeff tried to pick out Campo with a inswinging free kick after 48 minutes but James made a comfortable catch.

City extended their lead after 50 minutes when Charlton turned a cross from McManaman past his own goalkeeper Jaaskelainen.

The Finnish shot-stopper then had to look alert to stop a header from Antoine Sibierski following a corner by Tarnat.

Bolton boss Allardyce made a double substitution in the 57th minute in an effort to turn things around.

Okocha and Spanish striker Javi Moreno were introduced at the expense of Djorkaeff and Per Frandsen.

The arrival of influential playmaker Okocha sent a buzz of anticipation around the Reebok Stadium but City were still looking comfortable.

City carved out another good chance when Okocha was dispossessed by Reyna in the 63rd minute. He released Macken but his effort was blocked by Howey.

Moreno then turned the ball back to Pedersen only for James to take a clean catch.

Okocha tried hard to get Bolton back in the game but City were looking resilient.

Richard Dunne hacked the ball clear under pressure from Bolton striker Kevin Davies after a cross from substitute Nicky Hunt.

City played out time leaving their large army of travelling fans to celebrate an overdue league victory.

Teams:

Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Otsemobor (Hunt 69), Howey, Charlton, Barness, Campo, Nolan, Frandsen (Okocha 56), Djorkaeff (Javi Moreno 57), Pedersen, Davies.

Subs Not Used: Poole, N'Gotty.

Goals: Nolan 22.

Man City: James, Wright-Phillips, Dunne, Distin, Tarnat, Sinclair, McManaman (Jordan 90), Reyna, Sibierski, Macken (Jihai 74), Fowler (Elliott 88).

Subs Not Used: Arason, Negouai.

Booked: Dunne, McManaman.

Goals: Fowler 27, 31, Charlton 50 og.

Att: 27,301

Ref: S Dunn (Gloucestershire).