CHIEF Soccer Writer Gordon Sharrock reports live from all Wanderers matches for this website.

14:43: SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2002.

BARCLAYCARD PREMIERSHIP

MANCHESTER CITY V BOLTON WANDERERS

STIG Tofting made his first Premiership start of the season as injuries and suspensions left Sam Allardyce with few selection alternatives

for Wanderers' last ever league derby at Maine Road.

The barrel-chested Dane kept his place in midfield after replacing fellow countryman Per Frandsen for the second half of the 1-1 draw with Chelsea.

Frandsen will be sidelined for at least another week with a hamstring injury - one of seven senior players not available to the manager.

Mike Whitlow, Gudni Bergsson, Bernard Mendy and Gareth Farrelly were also on the casualty list with Bruno N'Gotty and Akin suspended.

Jermaine Johnson, fresh from international success with Jamaica, was included among the substitutes along with young defender Danny Livesey, who captained the Youth team in midweek.

City boss Kevin Keegan had skipper Steve Howey and one-time Bolton target Sylvain Distin back from injury to strengthen his defence, which conceded three at Middlesbrough last time out.

City: Schmeichel, Tiatto, Jihai Sun, Distin, Howey, Dunne, Berkovic, Foe, Horlock, Goater, Anelka. Subs: Nash, Huckerby, Benarbia, Wright-Phillips, Wiekens.

Wanderers: Jaaskelainen, Barness, Campo, Charlton, Nolan, Gardner, Warhurst, Okocha, Tofting, Djorkaeff, Pedersen. Subs: Poole, Ricketts, Southall, Livesey, Johnson.

Referee: Jeff Winter (Stockton-on-Tees).

15:53: MANCHESTER CITY 1, WANDERERS 0

Half-time

STEVE Howey stooped to conquer as Wanderers dropped their guard in this afternoon's rain-drenched Maine Road derby.

The City skipper, back after injury, escaped attention at the back post to head home from close range in the 25th minute after Marc-Vivien Foe had flicked on an Eyal Berkovic corner.

It was a lead City deserved on the balance of play, Wanderers having done little to threaten Peter Schmeichel's goal.

France international Nicolas Anelka caused Ivan Campo and his fellow defenders a scare or two but the nearest City came to adding to their lead was a minute from half-time when Sylvain Distin rose to get a head to a Berkovic corner but Jussi Jaaskelainen saved well.

16:56: MANCHESTER CITY 2, WANDERERS 0

SAM Allardyce's hopes that Wanderers could extend their mini-revival were washed up at a rain-soaked Maine Road.

A three-match unbeaten run came to a slippery end in miserable fashion as City took the derby honours with goals from skipper Steve Howey and playmaker Eyal Berkovic.

Leading at half time, courtesy of Howey's 25th minute header, Kevin Keegan's Blues doubled their lead on 56 when Berkovic took a return pass from Nicolas Anelka and evaded Simon Charlton's challenge to drill a low shot past Jussi Jaaskelainen.

Wanderers only managed their first shot on target five minutes into the second half when Youri Djorkaeff tried to beat Peter Schmeichel from just inside the City half.

The legendary former Denmark keeper dealt with the ambitious, long-distance lob comfortably but had to be at his best on 79 minutes when he produced an outstanding double save, blocking Jermaine Johnson's first effort with his legs then stretching to get a hand to Jay Jay Okocha's follow-up shot.

City: Schmeichel, Tiatto, Jihai Sun, Distin, Howey, Dunne, Berkovic, Foe, Horlock, Goater, Anelka. Subs: Benarbia for Goater 81 mins. Not used: Nash, Huckerby, Wright-Phillips, Wiekens.

Wanderers: Jaaskelainen, Barness, Campo, Charlton, Nolan, Gardner, Warhurst, Okocha, Tofting, Djorkaeff, Pedersen. Subs: Ricketts for Tofting 59 mins, Johnson for Pedersen 67 mins, Livesey for Nolan 75 mins. Not used: Poole, Southall.

Referee: Jeff Winter (Stockton-on-Tees).

Attendance: 34,860.