City 1 Bolton 0
May 24th 2009 att.47,202
With a large funfair in one of the car parks outside the ground were we in for a fun packed final game of the season ? Well the atmosphere was excellent in a packed stadium and the game itself was better than I thought it was going to be . With both side having nothing to play for it might have been a lot worse. After an early goal I thought City might have scored a few more and would have but for the excellent Jaaskelainen. There was a first appearance for the very talented Weiss and biggest cheer of the day came when Glauber Berti replaced Bridge in the closing minutes. Berti had been on the subs bench for most of the season so everyone was pleased to see him perform - looked Ok as well! Man of the match was Neddy Onuoha who has matured into an excellent central defender. It was also the last we shall see of Thomas Cook whose sponsorship has been taken over by Etihad Airways of the UAE. It was City's 56th game of the season with 28 players used.
There was a surprise return of SWP from injury in place of the injured Elano
A good turnout from Bolton fans who 'dressed' for the occasion
City were soon on the attack despite kicking the wrong way in the first half
After 8 minutes City took the lead. Robinho was brought down and instead of having a shot which everyone expected - he slipped the ball to Ireland who fed Richards and his spectacular overhead cross left Caicedo ........
.........with the easy job of planting the ball past the keeper for his 8th goal of the season
Shortly afterwards SWP had a very good serving shot brilliantly saved by the Bolton keeper
The City defence under a bit of pressure
Robinho hit the post with this effort
A last ditch tackle by Samuel thwarted another Robinho attempt
Kompany and Davies in one of their many battles
A Richards effort is saved by Jaaskelainen
Another Robinho effort is blocked
City were fortunate in the 34 minutes when Given's clarence went to Cahill whose shot was saved on the line by Richards and the ball rebounded forward to a thankful Given
Kompany in the thick of the action - this time going airborne!
Nedum Onuoha has three to contend with
Kompany clears from Mark Davies
At half time the winners of the Thomas Cook holiday shootout meet Mike Summerbee.
After about 60 minutes Onuoha took the ball forward from his own area and .......
..........reached the edge of the opposing area before getting crowded out. His effort got a big cheer. He is rapidly becoming a valuable member of the squad
Then we had an intruder on the pitch - to be chased by the 'gang of 4' across the pitch......
....and up into the stand .... Where is Jack Bauer when you need him !
After 70 minutes we had a treat. Off went player of the season Ireland and on came 19 year old Vladimir Weiss the 27th player to come from the City Academy
Bolton fans set off some smoke bombs to copy the Hamburg fans a few weeks ago.
SWP tested the Bolton keeper who flicks the ball over the bar
The ball boy who now has a fan club in the South Stand waves a recognition of the cheers
Weiss tries from a narrow angle but fails to beat Jaaskelainen
Though City had most of the play occasionally Bolton gave Given something to do to keep a clean sheet
On 82 minutes Caicedo gave Robinho a chance and his shot brought a spectacular save from the Bolton Keeper
With 6 minutes to go we had another treat. After spending 20 games on the bench without being used on came Glauber Berti to a huge welcome by the City supporters
We saw a lot of the skill possessed by Weiss -surely a name for the future
His every touch brought cheers from the crowd!
Jaaskelainen foils Robinho
Weiss tries to break through in the final moments
As the players disappeared in the tunnel onto the pitch ran this young lady ........
...... but she didn't get very far before being escorted off the pitch to the deepest dungeon!
The City players did their usual walk round the pitch with many of the big crowd staying to give their heroes a warm farewell to the season
Oh my - tears - Shay Given's little girl has just heard Newcastle have been relegated
Oh dear I've been spotted.
Team
Given 7: Richards 8, Dunne 7.5, Onuoha 8, Bridge 7 ( Berti) : Kompany 7.5 (Zabaleta ), de Jong 7: Wright-Phillips 7.5, Ireland 7 ( Weiss 7) Robinho 8, Caicedo 7.5