JOHNSON STARS AS CITY SEE OFF WANDERERS

MANCHESTER CITY did what was required by collecting three points against Bolton but Roberto Mancini's side are still not at their best.

Luckily, new boy Adam Johnson has hit the ground running as he was outstanding on his home debut while Patrick Vieira set up the second goal for Emmanuel Adebayor.

City are now level on points with fourth-placed Liverpool after Carlos Tevez set them on their way with a first-half penalty.

Johnson marauded down both flanks and it was his probing run that drew a stupid trip from Paul Robinson inside the box. Mike Jones had no option but to point to the spot and Tevez found the net despite Jussi Jaaskelainen's attempts to put him off and the fact that he hit the kick straight at the unlucky Finn.

There should have been a penalty at the other end when Kolo Toure collapsed onto Johan Elmander - only for Jones to inexplicably penalise the Swede instead.

Jaaskelainen had an escape of his own when leaving a Tevez free kick and seeing it drop onto the top of his crossbar.

Bolton were bright with Jack Wilshere prominent on his first Premier League start but they fell further behind when Vieira's chip allowed Adebayor to spring the offside trap, control neatly and volley past Jaaskelainen.

Johnson was afforded a fine ovation from the appreciative home fans when he was withdrawn before the end and City remain a formidable proposition, particularly on their home patch.

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