GARY CAHILL completed his return from injury as he played the entirety of the reserves' 3-1 home defeat against second-placed Manchester City.

The captain for the evening produced some key interceptions and distributed the ball well in a commanding performance that belied his seven weeks on the sidelines.

With the away side's back four all boasting senior experience, Cahill wasn't the only successful defender on show, and his Bolton colleague Danny Shittu also played his part, twice blocking well to deny Robert Mak and James Poole with committed interceptions at either end of an open first half.

The Sky Blues' defenders lived up to their expectation and more, combining for the game's opening goal on 20 minutes. Dedryck Boyata rose well to contest Kieran Trippier's free kick, helping the ball on for his centre half partner Ben Mee to smash home from close range.



Wanderers recovered from the setback and were able to head into the break on level terms as they struck back ten minutes from the whistle. Aaron Mooy deservedly took the credit as creator, as the lively winger's corner landed at the feet of Vaz Te just outside the area, and he struck the ball home with venom via a slight deflection off earlier scorer Mee.

Shittu secured a hat-trick of fine blocks as he showed great strength to block from Alex Nimely at the outset of the second period, and the same striker was denied by the post from Greg Cunningham's resulting corner.

Al Habsi tipped over well from Trippier to keep the scores level, but the rearguard was eventually breached just after the hour via Trippier's incisive cross; Nimely eventually getting his goal as he smashed home from eight yards out.

Wanderers pressed forward in search of parity, but it just wasn't to be.

Vaz Te's free kick was as close as the desired equaliser came as the ball deflected off the wall and spun agonisingly wide, and Mak sealed the points for the title chasers with just two minutes left as his thunderous shot found the top corner from the edge of the area.

Wanderers: Al-Habsi, Riley (sub McDonald 19), Blakeman, Sheridan, Cahill, Shittu, Mooy, Davies, Vaz Te, Riga, O'Halloran (sub Harsanyi 75). Subs not used: Lainton, Bennett, Campbell.

Manchester City: Gonzalez, Vidal, Cunningham, Ibrahim (sub Kay 86), Boyata, Mee, Trippier, Tutte, Nimely, Mak, Poole (sub Ball 78). Subs not used: Johansen, Chantler, Redshaw.

Referee: Mr Dean Mohareb.

Report: Adrian Ward