Bolton stir from hibernation to nail Hammers

No one would mistake muscular Bolton Wanderers for a bunch of northern softies but they do not like the cold. Their form dropped like the temperature during the recent freeze so there is no need to look at the thermometer this morning. Just check this result.

With the first breath of Spring in the air they recorded only their second win in eight Premier League matches yesterday to soothe relegation concerns that seemed a distant fear when they had six Premier League wins to their name by the end of November. This victory pushed the total to a princely nine.

Their luck appears to be changing with the weather, too, because Bolton were clinging to the result like a lifeline by the end even though they went 2-0 up through Matt Taylor and Kevin Davies within 11 minutes. Scott Parker pulled a goal back but West Ham United will have travelled back down the M6 last night wholly bewildered by their lack of any gain. Twice they had efforts cleared off the line and these were just the ripest of several opportunities.

Gary Megson, the Bolton manager, was a relieved man. “As soon as we go 2-0 up there is an air of apprehension,” he said. “We start playing differently and we seem incapable of making it three or four. We won what for us is possibly the most important game of the season but we need a bit more belief in ourselves.”

West Ham began brightly and only the quick wits and quicker tackling of Gary Cahill denied Carlton Cole a shot after eight minutes. But if ever there was a false dawn this was it because within two minutes the home side were ahead. Mark Davies was brought down by Jack Collison and Matt Taylor curled an exquisite free-kick from 25 yards over Robert Green and into the top corner.

West Ham might have looked rattled if they had been given time to dwell on this setback but by the 11th minute they were further behind with a goal that epitomised the qualities of Kevin Davies. The Bolton captain was aware enough to prod the ball forward for Johan Elmander to chase and few could match his determination to be first to the ball when his fellow striker passed to the edge of the area. He won the race and swept a side-foot shot past Green.

It was to the Hammers’ credit they did not crack under the weight of these reverses and, to the contrary, they were the better team for the rest of the game. Mark Noble was put through by Cole after 36 minutes and, instead of shooting, tried to pass inside. Three minutes later David Di Michele also pierced the flimsy looking Bolton rearguard but his shot was so wide even two sets of goalposts would not have been enough to find the net.

Cole also had a header cleared off the line by Taylor in the 47th minute so even the most one-eyed Bolton supporter could not complain when the visitors pulled a goal back after 66 minutes. Not for the first time, Cole’s trap became a pass, Jonathon Spector crossed to the near post and Parker darted ahead of his marker to score. (par)

Ten minutes later West Ham almost got an equaliser when Parker chested the ball down, Di Michele rounded Jussi Jaaskelainen and appeared to have an empty net to pass into until the excellent Cahill stretched to make the clearance.

That, one Jaaskelainen fumble from a Cole header apart, was West ham’s last throw. Give or take the odd dressing room tea-cup that is.

Attendance: 21,245

Referee: Steve Tanner

Man of the match: K Davies

Match rating: 7/10