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Gary Megson is still searching for his first win as Bolton manager after a late penalty knocked Bolton out of the Carling Cup. Manchester City advanced to the last 8 of the competition through an 86th minute Elano penalty which was controversially given against Wanderers substitute Lubomir Michalik. Neither side threatened too much in the entire 90 minutes, and the first half-chance fell to Dietmar Hamann who hit a free-kick wide of goal inside 15 minutes. Michael Johnson raced through on goal before the break, placing the ball over an advancing Jussi Jaaskelainen only to see his effort drift narrowly wide. Abdoulaye Meite had a chance to give Bolton the lead just before the break, heading just wide after good work from El-Hadji Diouf. The game was just as quiet after the break. City defender Richard Dunne headed wide from a free-kick before Stelios' 25-yard strike forced Isaksson into his first save of the night. Micah Richards was stretchered off the field with a knee injury 20 minutes from time, but it didn't effect the visitors as they went on to take the lead. Michalik was adjudged to have handled inside the box, with replays later showing the ball hitting the Slovakian's chest. Diouf and Jaaskelainen were booked for their protests and Elano stepped up to slot home. The game then sparked into life and Bolton almost equalised straight away. Diouf's excellent free-kick from the edge of the area had Isaksson beaten before hitting the underside of the crossbar before being cleared to safety. Kevin Nolan had a header cleared off the line by Michael Ball and Dunne almost headed past his own goalkeeper in stoppage time, but it is Manchester City who advance into the next round. Wanderers travel to West Ham on Sunday in their televised Premier League clash. |
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