Reaction, stats & ratings: Bolton 0 City 1

I listened to the game on the radio so can't really contribute to the debate on this one, but the consensus on Bluemoon from fans returning from the match was that we were a "bag of wank".

But at least we were a lucky bag of wank, prompting threads on Wookie's Lair and Citymancs after the game that wondered whether our name might be on the Cup. Can't say I get the feeling myself, especially after looking at who else is left in, though if we get West Ham at home I'll probably start believing.

Here are the other teams in the quarter-final draw, which will be held on Saturday at 12:20pm:

Arsenal, Blackburn, Chelsea, Everton, Liverpool, Tottenham & West Ham.

~ Sven's post-match interview
~ Getty Images photos

Match stats

The stats (below) are compiled from a live commentary.





Match reports



Bolton 0 City 1
City moved into the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup following a controversial winner from Elano.
The Brazilian playmaker scored from the penalty spot in the 86th minute after referee Howard Webb consulted his linesman.
Substitute Lubomir Michalik was adjudged to have handled the ball following a cross from Elano - but Bolton were left fuming.


Spot of luck for Elano seals City's progress (David Instone)
With England's final European qualifier 20 days away, it is another worry the nation could do without. Micah Richards was injured in this Carling Cup fourth-round tie that was decided by Elano's penalty for Manchester City seven minutes from time at the Reebok Stadium last night.
"He [Richards] caught his studs in the grass, that's what he tells me," said the City manager, Sven Goran Eriksson. "He will have a scan and before that it's impossible to say if it's serious. He tells me he will be fine but let's wait and see."


City’s fortunate progress marred by Richard's injury (James Ducker)
Diouf sent a free kick spinning off the crossbar, Gavin McCann had a header cleared off the line by Michael Ball and Richard Dunne nearly headed into his own net, but City clung on as Bolton’s luck showed no signs of improving in front of another paltry crowd of 15,510, nearly half of whom were City supporters.


Elano on the spot after Eriksson makes his point (Daniel Taylor)
Eriksson's players had been marginally the better team but the game was settled by what looked to be a dreadful error from the officials when the Bolton substitute Lubomir Michalik was adjudged to have handled Elano's cross. In reality, the ball had struck him at pace and there was nothing he could do to get out of the way - but the referee Howard Webb, on instructions from his assistant, awarded a penalty that means Gary Megson is still looking for his first victory as Bolton's manager.


Micah Richards injury ruins City's late success (Mark Ogden)
The first-half was a cagey affair, however, and both teams appeared to lack the confidence to extend themselves and take the necessary risks to open the scoring. City were still clearly suffering from their Stamford Bridge mauling, but Bolton have been shorn of belief all season and Gary Megson's arrival as manager appears to have done little to lift those players seemingly still mourning the departure of Sam Allardyce six months ago.


The Bolton view:

Bolton Evening News
Walking Down The Manny Road.


Player ratings

Ratings come from (in order): marvin (Mancityfans), MEN, Man City Mad & the BBC.

Isaksson: 3, 6, 6, 7.5 (av: 5.6)
The Swede had very little to do in his first start of the season. (MEN)

Corluka: 6, 5, 6, 6.9 (av: 6.0)
Suffered an early knock and it seemed to slow him down. (MEN)

Richards (Onuoha 73): 7, 6, 6, 6.3 (av: 6.3)
Had running battle with Diouf and didn’t give an inch until he was stretchered off. (MEN)

Dunne: 7, 6, 7, 6.4 (av: 6.6)
No direct opponent but marshalled thinks with usual authourity. (MEN)

Ball: 6, 6, 6, 5.3 (av: 5.8)
Neat and tidy and did everything asked of him in left-back slot. (MEN)

Ireland: 7, 6, 6, 5.6 (av: 6.2)
Sprightly enough and involved in one good move of opening half. (MEN)

Hamann (Fernandes 78): 6, 7, 6, 5.9 (av: 6.2)
Several important tackles and hardly wasted a pass. (MEN)

Johnson: 8, 6, 7, 6.0 (av: 6.8)
Wasted best chance to break early deadlock but never stopped running. (MEN)

Garrido (Vassell 56): 4, 6, 5, 5.4 (av: 5.1)
Much happier than at the weekend but not enough of the ball. (MEN)

Elano: 6, 5, 8, 8.0 (av: 6.8)
Brilliant Brazilian a little subdued and not able to dominate but made no mistake with the penalty. (MEN)

Samaras: 4, 5, 5, 5.2 (av: 4.8)
Struggled with lack of possession but sometimes didn’t help himself with poor control. (MEN)

Subs:

Vassell (Garrido 56): - , - , 6, 6.2 (av: 6.1)

Onuoha(Richards 73): - , - , - , 8.0

Fernandes (Hamann 78): - , - , - , 7.1


Subs not used:

Hart, Bianchi.