Manchester City surged back into the second automatic promotion place in the
First Division with a performance of nerve and determination.
This really was a crucial point in their drive for a return to the
Premiership, a game in hand that they dare not waste as the battle for promotion
is clearly going to go to the wire.
Bolton, anything but fresh from their FA Cup semi-final nightmare on Sunday,
needed the points themselves to maintain their play-off hopes, but hard as they
tried their heart and passion had been left at Wembley.
City went for the throat in a compelling first half that saw them score two
priceless goals in five minutes, a bodyblow that local rivals Bolton never
recovered from.
The first came from Kevin Horlock - left out for the previous seven games -
but perfectly place to drill home from eight yards. Then came a classic volley
from Paul Dickov, only his second league goal of the season, and City had
something to defend.
And they did that impressively in the second period when Bolton tried
everything they could remember to salvage something.
However they could not manage a breakthrough in the second half, kept at arms
length throughout.
But you felt from the spirit they found after the weekend's heartbreak, that
Sam Alladyce's men may yet still figure in those play-off places.
City's fate is now in their own hands.
Six games left and the passion of their massive support behind them, if they
hold their nerve now, Joe Royle could complete his second successive promotion
campaign.
City recalled defender Gerard Wiekens to play a midfield role, with both Ian
Bishop and Jamie Pollock left out.
Bolton were without Paul Ritchie and Gudni Bergsson, both injured during the
penalty shoot-out defeat at Wembley.
With so much riding on the outcome of the match, it was a tense opening and
Nicky Weaver made a fine save from Michael Johansen, before touching over a
stinging 20-yark free-kick from Dean Holdsworth.
But City imposed themselves on the game, Shaun Goater hooked over from six
yards after Wiekens had nodded down a Mark Kennedy corner, and then Jussi
Jaaskelainen saved superbly after a Kennedy flicked header had sent Paul Dickov
scampering clear on his own.
City's efforts were rewarded after 18 minutes when Dickov pushed a pass into
the box, Mark Fish let it slip away from him and Horlock lashed home from close
range.
Maine Road was alive now, and City almost grabbed a second when both Dickov
and Jeff Whitley threw themselves desperately at a vicious low Kennedy ball into
the six yard box.
But the second was not long in coming.
Bolton failed to clear a 23rd minute corner from Kennedy, Wiekens lobbed it
back into the area and Dickov - wide on the right - hooked the ball back into
the net in spectacular fashion.
Bolton took off a struggling John O'Kane at this point, replacing him with
experienced Jimmy Phillips - but City were now rampant and hit the bar two
minutes later when a Danny Tiatto effort clipped off Mark Whitlow onto the
woodwork.
Bolton had Whitlow and Johansen booked inside two minutes for fouls on Goater
and Tiatto, before Goater almost got a third, but he misshit the ball after
Jaaskelainen had dropped a cross.
After the break Bolton dug deep in a brave attempt to get back into the game,
with Allan Johnston going close on two occasions.
Goater and Tiatto were replaced by Lee Mills and Danny Granville respectively
as the home side began to drop the pace.
Kennedy coould have wrapped things up on 67 minutes when he robbed Phillips
and cut along the line, but his angled effort hit the inside of the far post.
In the end, City were content to play out the remaining 20 minutes to ensure
three valuable points in their bid for promotion..
Teams:
Man City: Weaver, Edghill, Tiatto (Granville 73), Jobson,
Prior, Kennedy, Horlock, Wiekens, J. Whitley, Dickov,
Goater (Mills 51).
Subs Not Used: Bishop, Pollock, Wright.
Goals: Horlock 18, Dickov 23.
Bolton: Jaaskelainen, O'Kane (Phillips 24), Elliott, Whitlow,
Fish, Johansen (Nolan 75), Jensen, Warhurst, Johnston,
Holdsworth (Hansen 58), Gudjohnsen.
Subs Not Used: Farrelly, Passi.
Booked: Whitlow, Johansen.
Att: 32,927
Ref: P Taylor (Cheshunt).
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