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Goater helps City get back on track

He may not have got his name on the scoresheet but Shaun Goater played his part in Manchester City's priceless derby win over Bolton Wanderers.

City won 2-0 on Saturday to haul themselves up to 13th place in the Premiership and arrest a two-game slide that saw them lose to Charlton and Middlesbrough and slump to 16th.

Goater, playing alongside Nicolas Anelka once again, almost got the opener for the Blues but Jussi Jasskelainen in the Bolton goal got down well to save his effort from the edge of the box.

Defender Steve Howey did beat the 'keeper in the 25th minute and shortly after Goater was in the thick of it again, his far post header landing at the feet of Anelka but the Frenchman was unable to get a shot off.

The pair combined again when Goater struck a sweet pass that dissected the Bolton defence only for the flag to be raised against the Frenchman.

In the 56th minute City doubled their lead through Israeli playmaker Eyal Berkovic.

And as Kevin Keegan's men continued to dominate Goater, Anelka and Danny Tiatto linked but the Australian took too long to get his shot off and the effort was blocked.

With the game won Goater was replaced by Algerian Ali Bernabia with nine minutes left.

City, who now have 20 points from 16 games, are away at struggling Sunderland in their next game a week tonight.

Kyle Lightbourne and Macclesfield Town were on the losing end of a 3-1 scoreline at Cambridge United in English Division Three on Saturday.

Lightbourne played well but when Macclesfield had Danny Whitaker sent off in the second half for violent conduct the Silkmen lost their way.