James: We thought higher powers were in control of famous Bolton defeat! | OneFootball

David James says there was a point in City’s incredible 2005 home defeat to Bolton Wanderers that he thought higher powers were deciding the outcome of the game.

It’s one of the most mystifying matches ever held at the Etihad Stadium, with City hitting the woodwork five times before the visitors scored a penalty in added time to claim all three points.

The match has now been immortalised as the subject of the second episode of new CITY+ documentary series ‘City Stories’ that focuses on some of the most memorable and bizarre days in our history.

This 13-minute instalment includes the likes of James, Kiki Musampa and former Trotters boss Sam Allardyce all giving their opinion.

WATCH: City Stories - Episode 2: The Unluckiest Game In City History?

While Antoine Sibierski had seen a header hit the bar twice and Musampa had thundered a bouncing ball against the framework, James says it was actually an intervention from Bolton goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen that had him believing there was a supernatural influence on the day.

“For all the woodwork that was hit, it was the save that Jussi made with his foot,” he began when City Studios spoke to him for the feature.

“When you’ve hit the target and the goalkeeper stops it with his boot, that’s when you start thinking there are higher powers influencing the outcome of this match.

“Then when Sun Jihai shoots but doesn’t score you are shouting out: ‘Why are you shooting!’”

While a point would have been hard enough to swallow in a game that Stuart Pearce’s in-form side had dominated, the real suckerpunch came with just seconds on the clock.

With reliable stalwart Richard Dunne chasing back to his own goal, he handled the ball and referee Mike Dean had no choice but to point to the spot.

Gary Speed converted the chance and, somehow, Bolton made the short trip home with all three points.

“You’re thinking it’s going to be a 0-0 where we should have got the three points or are Bolton going to get that one chance.

“It’s a cliché that you hear pundits say all the time.

“[When the penalty went in] I would have been spitting feathers. You kind of blame everyone and no-one at the same time.

“I was sulking after that, thinking about how I didn’t read the attacker or dive the right way.”

As City fan Mark Bent and former kitman Les Chapman testify, it’s a game that truly has to be seen to be believed.

CITY+ subscribers can watch it now!

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