Wanderers failed to prevent Manchester City extending their lead to five points at the top of the Premier League table.

Despite setting up to contain and hit on the break, Owen Coyle's side found themselves quickly opened up as Mario Balotelli hit the post and Adam Bogdan made a magnificent save from Samir Nasri's follow-up.

Tim Ream was employed in front of centre-halves Zat Knight and David Wheater, but it was a case of attack at will early on, with Balotelli also wasting a couple of good chances from close range.

But just as Wanderers seemed to have the measure of the league leaders, whose chances had dried up, Gael Clichy's 23rd minute cross took an almighty deflection off Gretar Steinsson to nestle into the bottom corner.

Forced more on to the front foot, Ryo Miyaichi caused a few nervous moments for the home side and would have snatched an equaliser had it not been for a fine fingertip save from Joe Hart.

David Ngog also forced the England stopped into action with a smart shot – but the Whites perhaps got a slice of luck just before the break when referee Mark Clattenburg waved away a penalty claim by Balotelli for a pull by Knight.

Bogdan then twice denied Balotelli with his feet before the Italian striker finally landed the crucial blow, passing home Adam Johnson's pull-back after the winger had made his way past three defenders to the by-line.

From there it was a case of cruising home for the Blues, who threatened only once more when David Wheater made a goal-saving challenge on sub Edin Dzeko in the final minutes.