Abby Brammell

By Ian Ladyman

Spot of luck: Carlos Tevez scores Manchester City's first goal


The sight of a young, hungry, aggressive winger capable of playing with both feet may be of encouragement to Fabio Capello as the England coach continues to plot the future of the national team.

For now, however, it is Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini who looks set to benefit from the emerging talents of young Adam Johnson.

Signed for £8.5million from Middlesbrough on deadline day in the January transfer window, the 22-year-old is at Eastlands thanks largely to City's football administrator Brian Marwood.

The former Nike man set the deal up in early winter and presented it to Mancini for his approval after Christmas. On last night's evidence it looks good business.

Mancini has had trouble with his wingers ever since he came to City in December. The idle Brazilian Robinho has been jettisoned, while last night Martin Petrov and Shaun Wright-Phillips began the game as substitutes.


Star man! Former Middlesbrough winger Johnson stole the show at Eastlands

In Johnson, however, he appears to have somebody more suitable. Direct and ambitious, Johnson played simple and effective football last night.

He began behind the centre forwards, quickly moved to the right and ended on the left. He was equally impressive in both wide positions and when Bolton left back Paul Robinson clattered into Wright-Phillips late on to earn a yellow card, it was a transgression born of the frustration caused him all night by Johnson


Relief: Tevez celebrates after scoring from the penalty spot

City certainly needed their new man to perform. Despite their healthy position in the Barclays Premier League, Mancini's team continue to look a little vulnerable and edgy at times.

Last night it took Johnson's effervescence to encourage them and settle them and ultimately his contribution was decisive.

Afterwards Mancini said: 'Johnson played very well and he can grow with us. For him it was an important night because this was a huge game.

'I think he can play behind the striker one day. His position at the moment is left or right but he can improve and become more adaptable.'

With the disappointment of Saturday's defeat at Hull still fresh, City were predictably tentative early on last night.


City slicker: Adebayor fires home a superb goal


Indeed, Bolton were threatening to take the initiative from them when Johnson nudged his team in the right direction on the half-hour.

Picking the ball up tight on the right touchline, Johnson began from a standing position but was quickly too sharp for Tamir Cohen and when he drove into the penalty area at pace it all proved a little too much for the unfortunate Robinson.

The former West Bromwich player does not lack experience but Johnson drew him into a challenge and - when it arrived - it was late enough to take Johnson down and give City a penalty.


Pointing the way to victory: Roberto Mancini watched his City side beat Bolton


With Tevez confident and purposeful these days, it was never likely that he would miss from 12 yards.

Nevertheless, his kick gave City followers a brief scare as, struck too straight, it bounced off Jussi Jaaskelainen's hip and only just found the corner of the net as it rebounded across goal.

Ahead in a game they badly needed to win, City were unlikely to be reeled in by a Bolton team struggling to carry a goal threat under new manager Owen Coyle.

Nevertheless, Mancini's team needed Johnson's continued impetus to bring them the momentum they needed.

A terrific slide-rule pass across field almost played Tevez in just before half-time and then, during one of City's better spells just after half-time, he cut in past Robinson and delivered a curling shot across goal that Jaaskelainen did well to turn to safety.

Eventually it was City's other home debutant, Patrick Vieira, who helped to settle the game as his chipped through-pass in the 73rd minute was controlled on the chest of Emmanuel Adebayor and smashed past Jaaskelainen on the volley from just inside the penalty area.

It was a memorable goal and proof of Adebayor's enduring ability. From Vieira, though, City fans will hope to see more. The French internationl was tidy enough last night but he will hope to carry a greater influence when he regains the match fitness taken from him by recent injury.


'Patrick will get better,' vowed Mancini. 'He is still getting his fitness. His pass for the second goal was fantastic.'

With a home FA Cup tie against Stoke to come this weekend and then a league meeting away from home against the same opposition next Tuesday, this is an important period for City.

The same can be said for Bolton. Coyle's team looked adequate enough at times last night but City goalkeeper Shay Given made only two saves of note all night.

Coyle has to find a way to improve on that. 'If City are honest they will admit they were fortunate,' said Coyle.

'The big decisions went against us. It was a soft penalty and came at a time when we were in the ascendancy. Whether it was a penalty or not I am not sure.

'We probably should have had a penalty ourselves. I am delighted with the performance. At times we made City look ordinary.'


source: dailymail