Manchester City at times sparkled on Sunday, as they reclaimed the early top dog status in the Premier League with an exciting 3-2 win over Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium.
Bolton’s Ivan Klasnic struck to make the Trotters’ half-time deficit just 2-1 after fine strikes from David Silva and Gareth Barry, but Edin Dzeko restored a two-goal advantage. Kevin Davies kept City honest by pulling another one back, but Owen Coyle’s men could not stop City from leading the way in the top flight with two wins from two.
Sergio Aguero was handed his first start in City colours, with Carlos Tevez held in reserve as he made his first squad of the campaign. However, it was Joe Hart rather than Jussi Jaaskelainen who had to make the day’s first save when he pushed out Chris Eages’ free-kick.
Zat Knight also shot wide for the attack-minded Trotters before Jaaskelainen denied City when getting to Alexander Kolarov’s cross ahead of James Milner.
City fans gave Aguero instant Messiah status after his two fine goals as a substitute against Swansea City last Monday, but he showed he was human when clearing the bar from a great position following Dzeko’s set-up.
However, not long after that his side did find the net though Jaaskelainen will be cursing how. Silva collected the ball from Micah Richards and, having the time and space to shoot, curled the ball goalward from 25 yards. It bounced just in front of the Finish goalkeeper and flew in when he really should have had it in his clutches.
Jaaskelainen got close to City’s second as well. Aguero had already been denied their second when he was ruled to have fouled Martin Petrov before finding the net, but soon after Barry smashed in number two. He collected possession from fellow England midfielder James Miler and let fly with a vicious 25-yard drive that was too powerful for the goalkeeper in spite of his getting a hand to it.
Bolton did not surrender though and halved the deficit in their next attack. Nigel Reo-Coker sent the ball wide left to Petrov, who cut it across for Klasnic to smash home with real quality.
The Croatian’s goal meant his side were just one behind at the interval, but just two minutes of the second half had elapsed by the time it was back at two. Milner flicked the ball forward into Dzeko’s path, and the former Wolfsburg man held off Knight far too easily from Bolton’s viewpoint before slotting past Jaaskelainen.
That was 3-1 and Milner quickly tried to extend the lead further, but Jaaskelainen was well behind his effort. Up the other end, Bolton looked for avenues of recovery but Eagles made a mess of his shot from the left of the area after good set-up play between himself and Klasnic.
Gary Cahill - reportedly being watched by Arsenal scouts – cut out Kolarov’s cross for Augero before heading forward for a free-kick. He would not find the net from it, but team-mate Davies would as he rose above Joleon Lescott to loop Petrov’s delivery past Joe Hart and reignite the game’s competitive edge.
Roberto Mancini responded by replacing the tiring Augero with Tevez, who received a great reception from the away fans, but Silva continued to look City’s most dangerous outlet. Knight had to be sharp to keep him at bay following another piercing City attack that eventually ended with a scuffed effort from Richards.
City did forge more chances, though Kolarov did not make the impact he can when sending a soft effort wide and sub Adam Johnson did neither one thing or the other after ghosting past Knight on the right. His cross – or was it a shot? – went across the face of the goal and wide.
Bolton kept going but, if anything, it was City who had a greater say in the dying stages as they kept the ball, tried when they could to find create goal chance and defended stoutly to thwart the hosts.