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Bolton 3-2 Everton: Late Winner Denies David Moyes' Boys
Late goal from Klasnic denies Everton after comeback.
Oct 25, 2009 11:24:23 AM
Ivan Klasnic's 85th minute goal gave Bolton Wanderers the spoils in an exhilarating match at the Reebok Stadium. Earlier they had raced into a two-goal lead courtesy of Lee Chung-Yong and Gary Cahill, before Everton fought back through stunning efforts from Louis Saha and Marouane Fellaini.
Everton arrived at the Reebok Stadium following their humiliating 5-0 loss away to Benfica seeking to get their stuttering season back on track, and made three changes from that defeat, bringing in Lucas Neill and John Heitinga as well as Louis Saha.
While Bolton, chasing their first home win of the season to further relieve the pressure on Gary Megson, kept faith with the same team who pushed Manchester United so close at Old Trafford.
They responded to their manager's faith with a bright start, and manufactured a real opening after only two minutes when Tamir Cohen was left unmarked in the area, but he could only send Samuel's left-wing cross wide of Howard's goal.
Everton were clearly still struggling to get over their midweek trouncing from Benfica, as their new look central defensive partnership made an uncertain start.
Bolton duly capitalized when Sam Ricketts cross was slotted past Howard by the unmarked Lee Chung-Yong for his second league goal for the club.
Everton's threat in response was sporadic, though the dangerous Saha served notice of his ability as he danced past two Bolton defenders
only to see his crossshot blocked, while Jo then inadvertently hit the crossbar from a cross. But it was Bolton who struck next, again taking advantage of some hesitant Everton defending.
Marouane Fellaini's stray elbow caught Kevin Davies in a challenge, and Matthew Taylor delivered a fantastically flighted delivery,
which found Gary Cahill rose highest in the box to meet the freekick and his firm header left Howard with no chance and Everton facing an
uphill battle to get back into the match.
But David Moyes' team are nothing if not battlers and they began to force their way into the match. Saha, around whom so much of Everton's
attacking play revolved all afternoon, smashed a 30-yard effort straight at Jaaskelainen, then his strike partner Jo followed suit and fired
high and wide. However it was not long before the Frenchman proved his class.
Neill advanced from the defense, and played a pinpoint 40-yard ball forward that no Bolton defender could cut out. The ball then found Louis Saha, who advanced towards Jaaskelainen's area and rifled in a stunning effort which left Jaaskelainen
with absolutely no chance.
Everton now had the bit firmly between their teeth as Bolton dropped back to protect their lead. Saha was denied twice by the combined efforts of Cahill and Jaaskelainen as Bolton were relieved to hear the half time whistle go.
The second half then continued in a similar vein, as Everton continued to pressurize a Bolton defense which was now struggling to contain the tide.
They were duly rewarded with another fine goal. Neill again was involved, picking out Marouane Fellaini on the edge of the box. The Belgian manufactured half a yard of space away from Gary Cahill and then rifled in a stunning effort which again left Jaaskelainen with no chance.
Everton's comeback was complete, and now the game was anyones. Jo was thwarted by Jaaskelainen before Muamba fired in a shot from 25 yards which was blocked wide by Rodwell.
Gosling then nearly broke through on Jaaskelainen's goal but Muamba covered well, before Davies sent a header wide of Howard's goal.
Everton then suffered a blow as Heitinga was forced off with an injury to be replaced by Coleman, and Bolton exploited their vulnerability at the back.
A long punt forward by Jaaskelainen was not dealt with by Neill challenging with Davies. The ball then reached Ivan Klasnic who fired in a low effort past Howard to once more give Bolton the lead.
Everton, who had done so well to comeback from their first half deficit were finally beaten, as Bolton claimed their first home win of the season to cap a miserable week for David Moyes.
Alex Stamp, Goal.com
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