ADVERTISEMENT

Man. City prevails in thriller

Published - August 22, 2011 12:45 am IST - BOLTON

PERFRECT FINISH: Dzeko scored his team's third goal against Bolton at the Reebok stadium.

Manchester City clinched a 3-2 win over Bolton as goals from David Silva, Gareth Barry and Edin Dzeko subdued Owen Coyle's spirited side in an enthralling clash on Sunday.

Bolton refused to surrender despite twice facing a two-goal deficit as Ivan Klasnic and Kevin Davies ensured Roberto Mancini's team faced a tough time at the Reebok Stadium.

But, City's class eventually shone through and the expensively-assembled side sits at the top of the Premier League table with six points from two matches.

ADVERTISEMENT

City's new signing Sergio Aguero made his full debut while Mancini opted to leave Carlos Tevez on the bench following his return to training.

Aguero missed a simple effort 10 minutes before half-time as he headed Dzeko's cross wide from six yards out. However, Mancini's men grabbed a second goal — Silva scored the first in the 26th minute — before the break as Bolton fell asleep at a corner and gave Barry far too much time and space to smash a wonderful long-distance shot past Jaaskelainen.

That goal suggested Bolton was there for the taking, but Klasnic showed that Coyle's side did have some fight as he instantly halved the deficit for the home side.

ADVERTISEMENT

Former City winger Petrov crossed into the box from the left and Klasnic dashed in front of Joleon Lescott and beat Hart from close range just before the interval.

Just 90 seconds into the second half, City had restored its two-goal cushion as Dzeko grabbed the goal that his enterprising play deserved. He flicked the ball over Knight before composing himself and powering a shot past Jaaskelainen.

Richards and Dzeko had decent chances, but failed to convert before Bolton forward Davies arrived from nowhere to head home Paul Robinson's cross and make it 3-2.

Tevez replaced Aguero halfway through the second period, but had only a limited impact on the game as City looked for more goals.

Stoke City striker Kenwyne Jones hit a stoppage-time equaliser to rescue a 1-1 draw against 10-man Norwich City at Carrow Road.

Paul Lambert's newly-promoted team was on course for victory in its first home top-flight match since 2005 when on-loan Manchester United defender Ritchie de Laet scored just before half-time.

But although Jon Walters missed a penalty for Stoke after Norwich defender Leon Barnett was sent off in the second half, the FA Cup finalist levelled thanks to Jones' header in the closing moments.

Second win for Wolves

Meanwhile, Wolverhampton Wanderers made it two wins out of two, beating Fulham 2-0.

Two goals in three minutes from Kevin Doyle and Matt Jarvis at the end of the first half were enough to take Wolves to six points, two points clear of Aston Villa, Liverpool, Chelsea and Newcastle United.

The results : Bolton 2 (Klasnic 39, Davies 63) lost to Manchester City 3 (Silva 26, Barry 37, Dzeko 47).

Norwich 1 (De Laet 37) drew with Stoke 1 (Jones 90).

Wolves 2 (Doyle 42, Jarvis 45) bt Fulham 0.

This is a Premium article available exclusively to our subscribers. To read 250+ such premium articles every month
You have exhausted your free article limit.
Please support quality journalism.
You have exhausted your free article limit.
Please support quality journalism.
The Hindu operates by its editorial values to provide you quality journalism.
This is your last free article.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT