Kevin Davies fired a late leveller to give Bolton a tremendous 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich in Group F of the Uefa Cup.
Davies gives Trotters point in Munich
Kevin Davies fired a late leveller to give Bolton a tremendous 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich in Group F of the Uefa Cup.
Bolton had taken the lead after just eight minutes when Ricardo Gardner fired home with the help of a deflection.
Bayern, inspired by some wonderful play from Franck Ribery, levelled matters on the half hour when Lukas Podolski curled the ball home.
Just minutes into the second half and Bayern went ahead as Ribery danced his way through the Bolton back-line before squaring the ball for Podolski to fire his second.
Bayern could and should have added to their tally, but great work from stand-in goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi kept the lead at just one and that proved crucial eight minutes from time as the Premier League side levelled.
Kevin Nolan picked up a long-throw and drove into the box, the ball came out to Davies, who turned and fired home under Oliver Kahn.
Under-strength
Without the likes of Nicolas Anelka, El-Hadji Diouf and Ivan Campo, it was expected to be a walk in the park for Bayern, instead Bolton under new manager Gary Megson claimed a point with the kind of work ethic which was the trademark of former boss Sam Allardyce.
Bolton showed a never-say-die attitude after taking the lead in the eighth minute following a long throw from Nolan.
Danny Guthrie chipped it forward and the ball eventually broke to Gardner who fired home.
Bayern should have equalised in the 18th minute when Andreas Ottl was in a good position in front of goal. However he spooned his effort over the bar.
Davies could have doubled Bolton's lead in the 29th minute as he latched on to a clever through ball from Gavin McCann then turned Lucio but sent his effort narrowly wide of the post.
Bayern drew level a minute later with a stunning goal. Podolski rifled a shot into the corner after Ribery had pulled the ball back.
Bolton were now relying on their rookie keeper Al Habsi to keep them in the game as he blocked shots from Ribery, Mark van Bommel and Bastian Schweinsteiger.
Al Habsi was helpless to prevent Bayern taking the lead just minutes into the second period. Ribery cut the ball back and Podolski scored his second goal of the game from close range.
It was another clinical finish and Bolton were being stretched at the back such was the pace of the Bayern attack.
Al Habsi produced another stunning save in the 60th minute by turning over Ribery's effort - but that was the Frenchman's last contribution as he was taken off.
Leveller
Bayern's main threat was now gone and although they still threatened they were always susceptible with just a one-goal advantage and so it proved as Bolton levelled.
Nolan hooked the ball over Lucio and Christian Lell to find Davies at the back post and he drilled a shot past Kahn.
It was no more than Bolton deserved for their spirit and they remain undefeated in Group F on two points, as do Bayern - who are top on four.
| FC Bayern München |
Team Statistics |
Bolton Wanderers |
| 2 |
Goals |
2 |
| 1 |
1st Half Goals |
1 |
| 9 |
Shots on Target |
2 |
| 13 |
Shots off Target |
4 |
| 5 |
Blocked Shots |
1 |
| 9 |
Corners |
3 |
| 5 |
Fouls |
17 |
| 2 |
Offsides |
2 |
| 0 |
Yellow Cards |
4 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 87.2 |
Passing Success |
66.8 |
| 19 |
Tackles |
28 |
| 73.7 |
Tackles Success |
85.7 |
| 71.4 |
Possession |
28.6 |
| 59.7 |
Territorial Advantage |
40.3 |
|
