Big-spending Manchester City showed their Premier League title credentials with a 3-2 win over Bolton at the Reebok Stadium yesterday.

Roberto Mancini’s side are tipped to make a strong challenge for Manchester United’s crown after splashing out another £50 million on new talent during the close-season and City’s expensively-assembled side look in the mood to fulfil those expectations.

Goals from David Silva, Gareth Barry and Edin Dzeko – three lavish signings from previous seasons – maintained City’s 100 per cent record as they moved to the top of the table.

There was also a substitute appearance from Carlos Tevez, the unsettled Argentine striker who hopes to leave City before the transfer window closes on August 31.

Mancini gave a first start to Sergio Aguero, the club’s record £38 million signing from Atletico Madrid, after the Argentina forward’s two-goal cameo appearance against Swansea City last Monday.

But it was Bolton goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen who played the key role as City took the lead in the 26th minute.

Silva fired in a speculative shot from the edge of the area and Jaaskelainen made a complete hash of his attempted save, allowing the ball to spill through his hands into the net.

There was no fortune about City’s second goal as Barry smashed a ferocious effort past Jaaskelainen from 20 yards.

Bolton mounted an immediate response and Ivan Klasnic got one back two minutes later when the Croatian met Martin Petrov’s drilled low cross with a first-time shot that gave Joe Hart no chance.

City restored their two-goal advantage two minutes into the second half when Dzeko deftly flicked the ball over Zat Knight and ran clear to drive his shot beyond Jaaskelainen.

But Bolton rarely give up at home and Kevin Davies put the pressure back on City as he scored with a towering header from Petrov’s free-kick.

Elsewhere, Wolves maintained their 100 per cent start to the Premier League season as goals from Kevin Doyle and Matt Jarvis secured a 2-0 win over Fulham.

Mick McCarthy’s side had beaten Blackburn in their opener last weekend and they built on that solid victory with an equally impressive display in their first appearance of the campaign in front of their own fans at Molineux.

Fulham were swept aside by two goals in three minutes just before half-time as Doyle struck first before Jarvis put the hosts in complete control.

At Carrow Road, Stoke City striker Kenwyne Jones hit a stoppage-time equaliser to rescue a 1-1 draw against 10-man Norwich City.

Paul Lambert’s newly-promoted team were on course for victory in their first home top-flight match since 2005 when on-loan Manchester United defender Ritchie de Laet scored just before half-time.

But although Jon Walters missed a penalty for Stoke after Norwich defender Leon Barnett was sent off in the second half, the FA Cup finalists levelled thanks to Jones’s header in the closing moments.

Summaries

Bolton 2
Klasnic 39; Davies 63;
Man. City 3
Silva 26; Barry 37; Dzeko 47;

HT: 1-2. Att: 24,273.

Norwich City 1
De Laet 37;
Stoke City 1
Jones 90;

HT: 1-0. Att: 26,272.
Red card: Barnett (N) 63.
Missed penalty: Walters (S) 64.

Wolves 2
Doyle 42; Jarvis 45;
Fulham 0

HT: 2-0. Att: 22,657.

Standings

Playing today
Man. United-Tottenham - 21.00

Other results
Championship: West Ham vs Leeds 2-2; M’boro vs Birmingham 3-1.
League Two: Swindon vs Oxford 1-2.