Match Reports

City Stay Fourth In Entertaining Victory

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Carlos Tevez`s early strike earned City a crucial 1-0 victory against North-West neighbours Bolton. Two wins at the start of December has given City a positive start to what will be a hectic festive period.

The marginal one goal victory was the least City deserved after entertaining the crowd for 90 minutes. Despite the one-sided entertaining clash Aleksander Kolarov`s late red card gave the visitors brief hope.

With the clubs glaring difference in bank balance this match should have been a foregone conclusion. Nevertheless, Bolton have performed far-above expectations this season and travelled to Eastland`s with hope of clinching something.

However, Owen Coyle`s ever-improving and fluent Bolton side were comfortably blew away and if City had any worries over their recent scoring at home, Tevez eased them worries early on when he latched onto a perfectly weighted through ball from Yaya Toure and placed his right-footed shot past Jussi Jasskelainen.

City continued to assert their authority and press the Wanderers, but the chances they created couldn`t be dispatched.

When City did put the ball in the net for the second time, courtesy of Tevez, the linesman ruled for offside.
Even with the slight set back, City`s pressure and dominance never faded and Jasskelainen had to be at his best to prevent the goals flooding in.

City`s two Argentinians had Jasskelainen scrambling, but neither the aforementioned Tevez nor Pablo Zabaleta could beat him.

Mario Balotelli and then a crunching David Silva shot both struck the frame of Bolton`s goal as the second goal was looking hard to come by.

Fortunately the second goal wasn`t needed and City defeated Bolton to stay 4th.

Player Ratings

Hart-6
One major disaster which could have so easily cost City.

Zabaleta-8
Again excellent. Should have added to his goal at Fulham with another here.

Toure-6
Didn’t last long before injury.

Kompany-9
At the back he was exceptional. Oozes class every week.

Kolarov-7
Great outlet on the left. Should NOT have been sent off.

De Jong-7
Solid.

Barry-8
After a slow start he dug in and his passing and tackling was key.

Yaya Toure-8
Fantastic pass for the goal and all round great performance. Improving each game.

Silva-8
His touch, technique and skill is far better than anything i’ve ever seen/

Balotelli-7
When he wanted to perform he looked outstanding.

Tevez-9
Battled and fought the line up front. Deserved his goal.

Lescott-7
Had no worries when he came on.

Richards-6
Won some key headers.
Late sub.

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