Bolton 0 City 1

It may not have been pretty, and slightly fortuitous shall we say withe penalty decision but there two key aspects following the defeat at Chelsea - to get over the hammering as soon as possible and to get through a tricky looking tie.

Well, job done on both counts as we avoid a 'mini crisis' of sorts which the press I'm sure would have called it had we been knocked out last night. An added bonus to last night was the news that Micah Richards should be sidelined for days as opposed to weeks.

As he stated, Sven gave Saturday's side the chance to put things right - with only Isaksson and Ball the changes from the Chelsea game, although the ommission of Bianchi continues to defy logic - perhaps there is something more deep rooted involved than we know?

Moving on in the competition, there don't appear too many easy ties as despite its critics, the Carling Cup quarter-finals feature an all Premiership line-up - when did the FA Cup last boast this? It makes the necessity of a home tie all the more prevalent come Saturday's draw.

Reports:

WHEN a child falls off a bike the sage advice is always to get back on it as quickly as possible - even if you do need a helping hand from a friendly linesman! -MEN.

With England's final European qualifier 20 days away, it is another worry the nation could do without. Micah Richards was injured in this Carling Cup fourth-round tie that was decided by Elano's penalty for Manchester City seven minutes from time at the Reebok Stadium last night. -Independent.

Manchester City returned to winning ways last night with a controversial victory over Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium, but their delight at reaching the quarter-finals of the League Cup for the first time in seven years was tempered by an injury to Micah Richards that could have far-reaching repercussions for club and country. -The Times.

Micah Richards will undergo a scan on his right knee today after being carried off on a stretcher with suspected ligament damage during Manchester City's controversial Carling Cup victory at the Reebok. -Telegraph.

In-form Brazilian Elano scored from the penalty spot for Manchester City with just five minutes left on the clock as Bolton Wanderers where sent out of the Carling Cup in Gary Megson's second game in charge. -Walking down the Manny Road.

Carling Cup odds:

CARLING CUP ODDS...Chelsea are 7/2 favourites to win the Carling Cup with William Hill after sneaking past Leicester. Hills make Arsenal and Liverpool 4/1 joint second favourites and also offer 8/1 Spurs; 9/1 Man City; 10/1Blackburn; 14 Everton, 14 West Ham.

-William Hill press release.