Bolton 2
Everton 0
REPORT
Daniel Sturridge could turn out to
be one of the signings of the
January transfer window after
his third goal in three games for
Bolton.
- Saturday round-up: United win
derby - Premier League gallery
On loan from Chelsea, the England
Under-21 striker put the match
out of Everton's reach. Sturridge
extended Bolton's lead after
England defender Gary Cahill
opened the scoring with his first
goal of the season.
It was just the result the club
were looking for after losing five
out of their previous seven
league games.
They got off to a perfect start
with Cahill opening the scoring in
the 10th minute following Stuart
Holden's free-kick on the left
flank. He peeled away from his
marker and saw his header come
off Everton defender John
Heitinga and wrong-foot Tim
Howard.
Everton responded and should
have equalised in 17th minute
when Tim Cahill was left unmarked
at the back post but fired wide
following a cross from Leighton
Baines.
Bolton were forced to make a
switch in the 27th minute with
defender Zat Knight unable to
continue. He fell awkwardly after
tangling with Victor Anichebe and
was replaced by David Wheater.
The home side kept up the
pressure and won a free-kick 20
yards out after Heitinga was
adjudged to have tripped Daniel
Sturridge as he tried to race
forward.
Matt Taylor stepped up but only
succeeded in drilling his effort
into the arms of Howard. Everton
again found themselves on the
back foot in the 39th minute
when Holden delivered a free kick
to the back post. Howard,
however, punched clear with
Wheater waiting for any slip-ups.
Play switched down the other
end and Cahill tested Bolton
goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen
from the edge of the area.
The home side were looking the
brighter of the two teams at this
stage and Taylor attempted to
pick out Sturridge in the area a
minute before half-time.
However, Phil Neville was
perfectly positioned and made
the interception at the post to
concede a corner, much to
Everton's relief.
Bolton started the second half on
the front foot and won a free-
kick in the 51st minute after
Sturridge was tripped by
Marouane Fellaini. Taylor stepped
up 20 yards out but his effort
failed to breach the defensive
wall.
Everton suddenly turned up the
pace and Anichebe got into a
good position in the area in the
56th minute only for Cahill to
make a crucial block for Bolton.
Then Fellaini was set up by
Seamus Coleman but he sent his
effort high and wide of the
woodwork.
Bolton manager Owen Coyle
decided to freshen things up in
the 59th minute by bringing on
Lee Chung-Yong for Taylor.
This was a good spell by Everton
with Cahill beginning to find more
room in and around the area. He
then sent a snap shot over the
bar five minutes later.
However, Bolton went 2-0 ahead
in the 67th minute with
Sturridge's third goal in three
matches since arriving on loan
from Chelsea. The striker
smashed the ball into the corner
from an acute angle following a
flick-on from Lee.
Holden found the net for Bolton
in the 80th minute after a back
heel from Sturridge. However,
referee Lee Probert ruled out
the American's effort, correctly
ruling that Sturridge had run the
ball over the by-line.
Everton responded and
substitute Jose Baxter rattled in
a shot three minutes later that
was parried by Jaaskelainen.
Johan Elmander almost added a
third for Bolton two minutes
after Kevin Davies' knock-on, only
to see his effort go marginally
wide of the target.
While Bolton were celebrating,
these remain worrying times for
Everton after only two wins in
the league on the road.
Moyes: Not good enough
Long-serving Everton manager
David Moyes was left devastated
after the defeat by Bolton and
claimed it was the poorest
performance by one of his teams
since he arrived at Goodison Park.
Moyes said: "Today's performance
was as bad as I can remember
since I have been in charge. The
toughness we have had I didn't
think was there and it was
required. We have been built on
that quality.
"The onus was on us to get the
ball down and we did not do that.
We also didn't do the other bit
which was compete hard enough.
We did not perform. Players who
have been performing well all
season probably had their
poorest game.
"I pick the players and I pick the
team. Maybe I have just gone a
bit soft on them. Maybe I need to
toughen up on them again.''
Everton are only three points
above the relegation zone but
Moyes questioned the free-kick
that led to the opening goal.
He said: "We gave away two really
poor goals. I do not think it was
because Bolton opened us up. One
was a free-kick, the other was
another big kick in the box. I
didn't think it was a free-kick. It
was a scandalous decision. We
didn't win the big challenges,
which were important.''
Bolton manager Owen Coyle was
delighted his side returned to
winning ways after five defeats in
their previous seven league
games.
He said: "It was a terrific
performance and a hard-fought
victory. We knew we would have
to be at our best against
Everton and we were. There
were so many positives to take
from the game.
"We had to withstand some spells
of pressure because of the
quality the opposition have, but I
felt we looked a threat all day.
We've had a little dip over
Christmas and new year when we
were down on numbers,
sometimes having only 15 players.
"We managed to address that in
the window and it is always great
when the players you bring in
play well.''
The only downside for Coyle was
a knee injury sustained by Zat
Knight, which saw the defender
replaced by David Wheater. Coyle
said: "He will need to have a scan
but it does not look great. He
was cheery enough when I saw
him in the dressing room .
"It could be ligament damage to
his knee but we hope it is not
too severe because Zat has been
outstanding for me since I arrived
at the club. He is a big, big player
for us.''
Sturridge has made a flying start
and Coyle said: "I am not
surprised. These young players
are just craving a platform to go
and play. There are some terrific
young talented players out
there, most of them will be at
the elite clubs. But there is no
shame in not being in the Arsenal
or Chelsea team.
"If I feel there are players who
can benefit Bolton I will do
everything in my power to bring
them here.''

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