Manchester City had to come from behind on three occasions before snatching a 3-3 draw at Bolton.
Trotters and City produce a six-goal classic
Manchester City had to come from behind on three occasions before snatching a 3-3 draw at Bolton.
Ivan Klasnic bagged a brace for the Trotters, and Gary Cahill also got on the scoresheet for the hosts, but a Carlos Tevez double and a rare goal from Micah Richards rescued a point for Mark Hughes' men.
Bolton started much the brighter and deservedly took the lead inside 11 minutes when Klasnic bundled home Lee Chung-yong's cross-shot from the right.
City, though, came back into the game as the half wore on and pulled themselves level on 28 minutes when a deflected effort from Tevez found the top corner.
The Trotters then appeared set to head into the interval with a narrow lead when they struck again two minutes before half-time.
Cahill latched onto a loose ball on the edge of the box and despatched a sublime curling effort past the despairing dive of Shay Given.
The Blues hit back again, though, and were level moments before the whistle when a flowing move was clinically finished off by a buccaneering burst from Richards.
Making a mockery of their lowly standing in the table it was Bolton who then edged ahead for a third time on 53 minutes when Klasnic fired home an acrobatic volley.
City then found themselves reduced to 10 men as Craig Bellamy saw red for two yellow cards, but Tevez ensured they would leave the Reebok Stadium with a share of the spoils when he drilled home 13 minutes from time.
Spectacular
Lee headed over the bar as early as the second minute, as Bolton burst out of the blocks, before having a hand in the opening goal for the home side in the 11th minute after Matt Taylor's cross had been deflected into his path.
Lee drove the ball across the face of the area and Klasnic was on hand to score at the back post.
Tamir Cohen almost added a second shortly afterwards. The Israeli's spectacular overhead kick from inside the six-yard area went narrowly over the bar.
Bolton then made an unsuccessful claim for a penalty in the 20th minute when the ball struck Richards' arm.
City were forced to make a change a minute later with Shaun Wright-Phillips coming off and replaced by Stephen Ireland.
Bolton were growing in confidence and Gretar Steinsson rattled a shot wide of the post in the 27th minute after being set up by Lee.
However, City drew level a minute later when the home side paid for some sloppy defending.
Zat Knight and Fabrice Muamba were slow to clear the ball and his hesitation was punished by Tevez.
The City striker won possession and then sent a shot from the edge of the area over Jussi Jaaskelainen with the aid of a deflection.
The visitors stepped up the pace and Gareth Barry saw his effort go wide of the post in the 35th minute after Ireland had flicked on a corner from Bellamy.
Bolton went back in front in the 43rd minute with a superb goal out of nothing.
Cahill got on the end of Steinsson's throw-in, turned quickly then fired a shot beyond goalkeeper Given.
Hooked
Back came City and they drew level in stoppage-time through Richards, who made the most of a pinpoint through ball played into his path.
Bolton went back in front for the third time with Klasnic's second goal of the game in the 53rd minute.
The Croatian striker hooked the ball home at the back post after Matt Taylor had flicked on a cross from Paul Robinson.
City were stunned and Tevez tried to break free seven minutes later only to be tripped by Cohen, a challenge that earned the midfielder a booking.
Muamba then squandered a great chance of extending Bolton's lead in the 60th minute.
He latched on to a loose ball after Lee had been blocked by Sylvinho and the home side launched a swift counter attack.
Muamba scuffed his effort wide of the post, though, from a good position to let City off the hook.
However, City were reduced to ten men in the 64th minute when Bellamy was sent off for simulation.
The match took another dramatic turn in the 77th minute when ten-man City again pegged back Bolton's lead.
Ireland won the ball 20 yards out and released Tevez, who fired a shot into the corner for his second goal of the game.
Substitute Robinho then went close for City in the 88th minute, his effort going the wrong side of Jaaskelainen's post as a thrilling match finished all square.
| Bolton Wanderers |
Team Statistics |
Manchester City |
| 3 |
Goals |
3 |
| 2 |
1st Half Goals |
2 |
| 3 |
Shots on Target |
6 |
| 6 |
Shots off Target |
9 |
| 4 |
Blocked Shots |
1 |
| 5 |
Corners |
9 |
| 13 |
Fouls |
11 |
| 2 |
Offsides |
2 |
| 3 |
Yellow Cards |
1 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
1 |
| 57.7 |
Passing Success |
75.6 |
| 28 |
Tackles |
12 |
| 60.7 |
Tackles Success |
83.3 |
| 34.7 |
Possession |
65.3 |
| 43.4 |
Territorial Advantage |
56.6 |
|
