Manchester City finished the season with a well-deserved 1-0 win over Bolton at The City of Manchester Stadium.
Bolton failed to register a shot on target in 90 minutes, while the outstanding Jussi Jaaskelainen once again proved that he could easily play for a top-four club.
City, whose directors have announced they will be targeting a top-six spot next season, finish the season 10th, while Bolton, who fought against relegation this term, finish in 13th.
Felipe Caicedo, at the conclusion of a tremendous and most of all clever collective play involving four players, bagged the winner early on in the game after being fed by Micah Richards.
The home side started the game on top, with Shaun Wright-Phillips’ ambitious attempt from 12 yards blocked by the brilliant Jaaskelainen.
In the eighth minute, Caicedo opened the scoring for City after a brilliant team play – Robinho cleverly played a set piece to Stephen Ireland, whose smart pass over the top penetrated the heart of a fragile defence and found Richards, with the right back delivering an acrobatic assist to Caicedo who coolly slotted the ball past Jaaskelainen from very close range.
Jaaskelainen then proved why he is one of the best keepers in the world when he denied Wright-Phillips’ rocket with a lovely fingertip save.
Ireland, who received the Man City Player of the Year award before kick-off, received treatment after a clash, but managed to get back on the pitch thanks to the physio’s help.
Wanderers had a penalty appeal for handball after Richards clumsily cleared a corner straight at Vincent Kompany’s arm, but the referee opted against awarding them a spot-kick.
At the other end, Robinho almost made the most of Caicedo’s brilliant combination of run and cutback by firing the ball into the face of the woodwork.
A moment of brilliance from Robinho – a nice back-heeled flick – allowed Richards to try his luck with a powerful effort from close range, with Bolton’s shot-stopper doing a superb job to deny the gym-class-hero.
Five minutes before the break, the Brazilian curled a shot straight at Jaaskelainen after a gorgeous one-two with Caicedo.
The striker then produced the first chance of the second half, which proved far less exciting than the first one, with his powerful low shot from 25 yards out finishing inches away from the near post, before Wright-Philips unleashed a threatening attempt just wide.
Former Chelsea defender Wayne Bridge made a difference when he charged down Gavin McCann’s dangerous 12-yarder, while City hit back straight away through Robinho, who forced a lovely save from the outstanding Finnish keeper.
Mustapha Riga came on and tried to send the visiting fans into delirium by attempting an overhead kick, but the ball flew wide.
STAR MAN: Micah Richards (8.5/10) The England international played out one of his finest performances of the season. Solid in defence and creative in attack, mister muscle dominated the debate. Click here to check our player ratings and match stats.