Latics trounced by Trotters

Lancashire derby delight for Coyle's side who hit Wigan for four

By Elliot Ball   Last updated: 13th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Matthew Taylor Bolton Wanderers Premier League

Taylor: Wrapped up victory

Kevin Davies Bolton Wanderers Premier League

Davies: Scored seventh of season

Johan Elmander Bolton Wanderers Premier League

Elmander: Set ball rolling

Fabrice Muamba Bolton Wanderers Premier League

Muamba: First ever Bolton goal
Man of the match:
Paul Robinson gave a masterclass in defending as he suffocated Charles N'Zogbia into feeding off scraps at the Reebok. What Liverpool would have given to have Emiliano Insua to turn out a similar performance last Monday.

Goal of the match:
Fabrice Muamba's first in Bolton colours was superb - the combative midfielder skinned Gary Caldwell with a delightful step-over before lashing the ball home past a helpless Chris Kirkland.

Save of the match:
Jussi Jaaskelainen's one-handed save to deny N'Zogbia towards the end of the first-half proved why he is considered amongst the division's elite stoppers. The Fin will be integral to the Trotters' survival bid

Moment of the match:
Should Wigan have been awarded a penalty when Zat Knight sent Hugo Rodallega tumbling with a clumsy challenge, minutes into the first-half? Had Mike Dean had a second look, perhaps things could have been different.

Talking point:
Can Wigan beat the drop with such inconsistent form and will Knight and Kevin Davies be able to land a place in England's World Cup squad following their recent fine form?

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Wigan's inconsistent season was in plain sight at the Reebok as they were taken apart by Bolton, who found the perfect response to their 4-0 demolition by Sunderland by securing one of their own.

It could have been all so different had referee Mike Dean given the Latics, who triumphed over Liverpool on Monday, a penalty from Zat Knight's robust challenge on Hugo Rodallega in the opening minutes.

But it proved an afternoon to forget for Wigan and in particular defender Gary Caldwell, whose torrid day at the office swung into motion as his slip in the 10th minute allowed Johan Elmander to net his third goal of the season.

If Wigan felt aggrieved to be denied a spot-kick, manager Roberto Martinez would have been furious by Dean's decision to award Bolton a penalty three minutes into the second-half when Caldwell's challenge on Tamir Cohen was deemed illegal.

Kevin Davies, who lead the line fantastically, tucked home the spot-kick to put the Trotters clear before Fabrice Muamba and Matty Taylor added further goals in the second-half - all courtesy of Caldwell errors - to give Bolton a vital win in their bid to move clear of the relegation zone.

Wigan, meanwhile, could be dragged back into the mire following their latest away reverse but remain 15th and four points above the drop-zone.

Given they had beaten the Reds earlier in the week, Wigan manager Martinez would have expected much more from his side.

The visitors did start the game with the confidence of a team buoyed by a scalp and Rodallega looked bright and asked Knight several questions in the opening exchanges.

Breakthrough

But after seeing a penalty appeal turned down, Wigan were behind as Bolton made the breakthrough after Davies managed to get the better of Titus Bramble.

The ball broke to Elmander and the Sweden striker shrugged off Caldwell to send a shot beyond Chris Kirkland for his third league goal of the campaign.

Wigan responded in the 19th minute and Paul Scharner got clear of his marker when Victor Moses, making his first start, floated in a free-kick.

However, Scharner was unable to get enough power on his header and Jussi Jaaskelainen was able to make the save.

Play switched back down the other end and Davies latched on to a loose ball in the 24th minute only to send his effort high over the bar.

There was another scare for Wigan in the 26th minute when Lee Chung-yong delivered a corner from the left.

Davies was the first to react and eventually the ball broke to Andy O'Brien but his effort was diverted to safety.

Wigan launched a swift counter attack in the 36th minute and Charles N'Zogbia showed good pace to create an opening for himself.

However, his effort from the edge of the area failed to trouble Jaaskelainen, much to the midfielder's frustration.

Wigan came close to equalising in the 43rd minute with N'Zogbia finding himself unmarked at the back post.

He clipped in a shot but Jaaskelainen was equal to it and parried the ball around the post.

Bundled

Bolton extended their lead three minutes into the second half after Cohen was bundled over by Caldwell and official Dean had no hesitation in awarding a penalty despite Wigan's protests.

Davies stepped up and drilled his spot-kick into the corner for his seventh goal of the campaign.

It was just the start Bolton wanted and they made it 3-0 in the 53rd minute following some good skill from Muamba.

The 21-year-old midfielder is known for breaking up the play but he showed another side to his game by turning Caldwell inside out before firing a shot beyond Kirkland.

It was Muamba's first goal for the club since he arrived from Birmingham in the summer of 2008 and he marked the occasion by running to the dugout to embrace Coyle.

Wigan were stunned but Emmerson Boyce delivered a good cross into the area after 60 minutes, only for Rodallega to head over the bar.

Bolton went further clear in the 69th minute when Caldwell failed to deal with Elmander's flick on and Taylor took advantage to score.

Ivan Klasnic almost added a fifth but his overhead kick in the 84th minute went the wrong side of the post following a flick on from Elmander.

Wigan kept working away and Bramble flicked a header wide but they still have plenty of hard work ahead if they are to avoid the drop.

Bolton WanderersTeam StatisticsWigan Athletic
4Goals0
11st Half Goals0
5Shots on Target5
2Shots off Target6
2Blocked Shots2
3Corners6
24Fouls13
3Offsides1
1Yellow Cards2
0Red Cards0
55.9Passing Success72.6
41Tackles20
85.4Tackles Success70
40.6Possession59.4
41.3Territorial Advantage58.7

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Comments (2)

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Tom Masser (Bolton Wanderers fan) says...

went to see the match , fantastic, goals from three heavily criticised players elmander, muamba and taylor. And a penalty given ! very rare for bolton ,but a valuable season saving three points

Posted 18:58 13th March 2010

Kieran Bwfc4life (Bolton Wanderers fan) says...

well played bolton what a bounce back and cant believe that we have kept a clean sheet and also another victory at home

Posted 17:37 13th March 2010
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