Carlos Tevez and Emmanuel Adebayor grabbed a victory as Manchester City overcame Bolton at Eastlands to close up to a UEFA Champions League spot.
Carlos Tevez struck with a powerful penalty that went in after hitting goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen.
It was awarded after Paul Robinson brought down Adam Johnson, while Bolton should have had a spot-kick after Kolo Toure tangled with Johan Elmander.
Tevez hit the crossbar with a free-kick before Emmanuel Adebayor scored his ninth goal of the season via a volley to secure the points and move Mancini's side into fifth, level on points with Liverpool with a game in hand.
City have not lost at home since April 2009 and Bolton have not won on the road since September so the result is hardly a surprise.
But it nonetheless adds to the precariousness of Bolton's position. Owen Coyle's side were hardly outplayed during what was for the most part an even contest but the result means they remain one place above the relegation zone. Bolton have now lost four out of six since Coyle took charge.
City, who lost at Hull on Saturday, set about the match with vigour and enjoyed plenty of early success down the left-hand side, with Wayne Bridge delivering several crosses.
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini:
"He (Adam Johnson) is a young player who wants to do well.
"He can play on both the left and the right and he can also play behind the main striker. He can continue to grow and I think he can be a very important player."
"I feel good after a victory but if we want to arrive at our targets we must improve. We must win at home, we must win away and we must play better.
Bolton manager Owen Coyle:
"City have a squad that cost over £200m and we made them look ordinary. If they are honest they will admit they were fortunate.
"We played with lots of spirit and quality but we must be more clinical when chances present themselves.
"The first five minutes belonged to Man City but I thought that we really took the game to them after that."
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