Man City 2 : Bolton 0
02/09/2010 10:31:12 PM
remain goals and points.
Mancini was sufficiently disturbed to abandon his solid three-man midfield line by bringing on Shaun Wright-Phillips for Wayne Bridge, a move that involved a significant reshuffle given one is a right-winger, the other a left-back; Gareth Barry's adaptability allowing him to fill the latter role.
The move was unorthodox. But it worked a treat, unlike Bolton's offside trap as the visitors failed to keep tabs on Adebayor as he ran onto Vieira's elegant chipped through ball.
A chest control and crisp, volleyed finish came straight out of the textbook and Adebayor raced away to celebrate.
Bolton continued to huff and puff until the final whistle, by which time Johnson had departed to a standing ovation of the kind he is set to receive plenty of on this evidence.