Premier League: Manchester City 1 Bolton 0

Captain Carlos Tevez’s fourth-minute strike was enough to secure victory against Bolton in an entertaining derby at Eastlands.

Owen Coyle’s high-fliers had several chances to draw level but, despite losing Aleksandar Kolarov for two bookings, City held on to maintain the pressure at the top of the Premier League.

The morning papers hinted at even more discontent in the Manchester camp, with a series of photographs showing striker Mario Balotelli and Jerome Boateng having a training ground set-to on Friday.

But, as ever, captain Tevez set the perfect example after only four minutes, latching on to Yaya Toure’s delicious through-ball and planting a clinical finish past Jussi Jaaskelainen.

However, having been caught cold, Bolton somehow managed to weather the storm under an early City blitz to stay within a goal of their opponents.

And, having done so, Owen Coyle’s side began to assume control, enjoying most of the possession until the half-time break.

But, much like in the first half, it was all City at the start of the second, with Tevez and David Silva constant threats. Within a minute of the restart, the Argentine striker’s cross was palmed away by Jaaskelainen and the defence managed to hack clear before Silva could swoop.

Balotelli then almost hit his first Premier League goal, but his strike from 12 yards came back off the base of the post.

The woodwork had hardly finished shaking when Silva then clattered it again as his neat turn and shot hit the bar.

But the home side’s momentum was stopped in its tracks with 11 minutes left when left-back Aleksandar Kolarov was dismissed following two quick bookings.

Bolton turned the screw in search of an equaliser but, even after six minutes of injury time, there was no way through for Coyle’s side and City hung on.