Carlos Tevez scored an early goal Saturday to give Manchester City a 1-0 victory over Bolton and strengthen its grip on fourth place in the Premier League.
City wasted a number of chances to increase the lead and then had Aleksandar Kolarov sent off in the second half, but Tevez's fourth-minute goal was enough to secure the win.
Mario Balotelli and David Silva both hit the framework for City in the second half, while Bolton nearly equalized in the 71st following an error by goalkeeper Joe Hart, but Vincent Kompany cleared off the line.
Tevez was clearly unhappy at being taken off in the final minute, venting his frustration at manager Roberto Mancini after reluctantly walking off the pitch.
Tevez's goal came after he was set free by Yaya Toure through the middle and Gary Cahill failed to deal with it. That allowed the club captain to drill a shot into the corner for his 10th goal of the season - and City's first at home since October.
City then made an unsuccessful appeal for a penalty in the 14th minute when Silva's shot was blocked by Cahill, with the ball coming off the defender's shoulder and arm.
Bolton responded and Hart did well three minutes later to turn a free kick from former City winger Martin Petrov around the post.
Tevez picked up his fifth booking of the campaign in an attempt to win the ball off Sam Ricketts, which will force him to miss the match against West Ham next Saturday.
City kept up the pressure and Tevez was being afforded too much room in and around the area. The striker got on the end of a cross from Zabaleta but sent his effort over the bar before miskicking in sight of goal.
Bolton carved out a good chance in the 47th minute when Kevin Davies fired a shot narrowly over the bar following a cross from Ricketts.
Zabaleta, however, nearly made it 2-0 in the 55th minute following a sweeping move that cut Bolton open. It was started by Silva, who picked out Yaya Toure and he played the ball on to Zabaleta, but the defender's shot was cleared by Cahill.
Balotelli then smacked a shot against the outside of the post before seeing another booted clear by Jussi Jaaskelainen.
Then Silva was out of luck in the 61st minute with a quick turn and shot that rattled the bar.
