More Premiership photos Bolton take eyes off league Keegan thanks Fowler

Kevin Nolan volleyed Bolton ahead after Sylvain Distin half cleared, but Fowler equalised from Michael Tarnat's corner.

Fowler controlled a punt forward from David James and shot home for his second, before James saved from Youri Djorkaeff and Anthony Barness.

Simon Charlton guided Steve McManaman's cross into his own net but Jon Macken scuffed a good chance to make it four.

City went into the game having taken only six points from the previous 42 possible, a run that had seen them slip to within three points of the relegation zone going into the match.

But Kevin Keegan's team had beaten Bolton 6-2 at the City of Manchester Stadium earlier in the campaign and rediscovered their winning habit against Sam Allardyce's side.

We're not clear of relegation yet, still some difficult games left and any team can go down! From David Ashton Have your say on 606

Bolton's next fixture is the Carling Cup Final next Sunday and Allardyce will be looking for a much improved performance.

The home team created the first clear opening after Nolan's long throw was flicked into Djorkaeff's path.

The French forward shot from 18 yards but was thwarted by an excellent James save.

Bolton continued to push forward and Charlton almost scored, but his chip clipped the bar and was turned away to safety by James.

But the pressure eventually told and Nolan deservedly game Bolton the lead.

Nolan assumed an offside position in the Manchester City penalty area for a Bolton free-kick but was not adjudged to be interfering with play and moved onside as the ball was delivered.

The visitors only half cleared the danger and Nolan superbly converted from 18 yards.

City responded superbly and restored parity within five minutes of conceding.

KEY MOMENTS 22 mins: Nolan puts Bolton ahead 26 mins: Fowler heads Man City level 31 mins: Fowler smashes City ahead 50 mins: Charlton scores an own goal

Fowler was left totally unmarked and had time to pick his spot before heading home Tarnat's corner.

And Fowler then put Keegan's team in the lead with a superb individual goal.

The 28-year-old controlled James' long punt forward with his chest before smashing home past Jussi Jaaskelainen.

Trevor Sinclair might have extended his team's lead but drilled the ball straight at Jaaskelainen after connecting with Michael Tarnet's deep cross.

James was called into action again at the end of an entertaining first half, saving a Djorkaeff free-kick and an Anthony Barness header.

City extended their lead shortly after the break when Charlton deflected a McManaman drive into his own goal.

Shortly afterwards Jaaskelainen saved an Antoine Sibierski header as City continued to pour forward.

Bolton boss Sam Allardyce introduced Jay-Jay Okocha for Djorkaeff but it was their opponents who continued to create openings.

Claudio Reyna and McManaman combined to put Jon Macken through but the striker scuffed his shot.

Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Otsemobor (Hunt 69), Howey, Charlton, Barness, Campo, Nolan, Frandsen (Okocha 56), Djorkaeff (Javi Moreno 57), Pedersen, Davies.
Subs Not Used: Poole, N'Gotty.

Man City: James, Wright-Phillips, Dunne, Distin, Tarnat, Sinclair, McManaman (Jordan 90), Reyna, Sibierski, Macken (Jihai 74), Fowler (Elliott 88).
Subs Not Used: Arason, Negouai.

Booked: Dunne, McManaman.

Attendance: 27,301

Referee: S Dunn (Gloucestershire).