Manchester City FC took another notable stride towards a top-four finish in the Premier League with a 2-0 triumph over Bolton Wanderers FC.

City lost 2-1 at Bolton's fellow strugglers Hull City AFC at the weekend but never looked like suffering a similar fate on home soil once Paul Robinson's clumsy tackle on Adam Johnson allowed Carlos Tévez (31) to register his 11th goal in as many league games from the penalty spot. Emmanuel Adebayor rubber-stamped the three points with 17 minutes remaining, consummately controlling Patrick Vieira's pass on his chest before producing a superb volleyed finish.

Bolton stay fourth bottom, a place below Burnley FC, who remain without an away win all season after losing 3-0 at Fulham FC. Goals from Danny Murphy, David Elm – his first for the club – and Bobby Zamora fired the Cottagers into ninth. Meanwhile, Sunderland AFC's poor form shows no sign of abating. They drew 1-1 with bottom-of-the-table Portsmouth FC, Darren Bent's 12th-minute penalty cancelled out by Aruna Dindane five minutes into second-half added time. Sunderland, without a league win since 21 November, had Lee Cattermole and David Meyler dismissed while Ricardo Rocha was sent off for the hosts. Elsewhere, Wigan Athletic FC and Stoke City FC drew 1-1.