Stoke's first taste of Premier League action ended in disappointment as they went down 3-1 at Bolton.
Bolton ease to opening day success
Stoke's first taste of Premier League action ended in disappointment as they went down 3-1 at Bolton.
Gretar Steinsson, Kevin Davies and Johan Elmander were on target for the Trotters, while a lone Ricardo Fuller header was all Tony Pulis' men had to show for their efforts.
The Potters started their first top flight fixture in 23 years in positive fashion, but were ultimately unable to keep things tight at the back.
However, with that said, there was little they could do about Steinsson's opener.
The full-back picked up possession wide on the right, before sending a dipping volley curling into the top corner. Whether he was going for goal is debatable, but it was an impressive strike nonetheless.
Four minutes before the interval Davies doubled the Trotters' lead when he held off the attention of two defenders to flick a delicate header past a stranded Thomas Sorensen.
Stoke were now in danger of collapse and conceded a third in stoppage-time as an unmarked Elmander stooped to nod home a Joey O'Brien free-kick.
Bolton once again created the better of the chances after the break, but were unable to build on their considerable advantage.
Then, in the third minute of injury-time, Fuller grabbed a consolation goal as he met a Carl Dickinson cross with a bullet header.
Stunning
Dave Kitson, a £5.5million summer signing from Reading, twice came close with early headers for Stoke and Leon Cort saw his close-range effort blocked by goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen.
In between, an Elmander effort went narrowly over the bar after a good first touch following a flick-on from Davies.
Bolton gave an indication of what was to come in the 32nd minute when Davies headed marginally wide following a cross from Taylor.
They took the lead two minutes later with Iceland international Steinsson's first goal for the club.
It was a stunning strike as well - the ball finding the top corner from an acute angle just outside the area.
Former AZ Alkmaar full-back Steinsson wheeled away in celebration after his effort whistled past Sorensen via the post.
Stoke looked stunned and little wonder as they had dominated possession up until this point.
Bolton were growing in confidence and extended their lead in the 43rd minute when Davies, with his back to goal, sent a looping header over Sorensen after Gary Cahill had launched the ball forward.
Bolton made it 3-0 in stoppage time thanks to Elmander, who arrived in the summer from Toulouse for a fee reported to be £11million.
Set piece
Stoke again failed to deal with a set piece with the Sweden international heading home a free-kick from O'Brien.
Elmander almost got a second goal after 49 minutes when he latched on to a ball from Fabrice Muamba, only to see his effort go wide of the post.
Then skipper Nolan tried to slip the ball through to Elmander but Sorensen read the situation well and made the clearance.
Davies was putting in his usual shift for Bolton. Not content with getting forward, he also thought nothing of helping out his defence when needed.
There was a slight scare for the home side when Andy O'Brien's back-pass was short
However Jaaskelainen was quickly off his line and nicked the ball off Kitson's toes as he prepared to take advantage.
Stoke were continuing to work hard but found it hard to peg back Bolton's advantage.
The home side re-grouped and almost extended their lead in the 75th minute only for Dave Kitson to clear Nolan's effort off the line.
Then five minutes later Sorensen did well to push away a header from Taylor at the post before Fuller pulled a goal back for Stoke in stoppage time with a powerful header.
| Bolton Wanderers |
Team Statistics |
Stoke City |
| 3 |
Goals |
1 |
| 3 |
1st Half Goals |
0 |
| 5 |
Shots on Target |
2 |
| 6 |
Shots off Target |
5 |
| 4 |
Blocked Shots |
2 |
| 4 |
Corners |
3 |
| 15 |
Fouls |
17 |
| 2 |
Offsides |
1 |
| 1 |
Yellow Cards |
2 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 70.2 |
Passing Success |
64.6 |
| 21 |
Tackles |
8 |
| 61.9 |
Tackles Success |
87.5 |
| 57.4 |
Possession |
42.6 |
| 52.6 |
Territorial Advantage |
47.4 |
|
