BOLTON WANDERERS 4 NEWCASTLE UNITED 3

Bolton took the lead after just five minutes when Jay-Jay Okocha (pictured) struck when Kieron Dyer was caught in possession and the ball was well worked to the Nigerian who made no mistake.

Newcastle were then level just three minutes later when the ubiquitous Alan Shearer lashed home from close-range after Nolberto Solano and Dyer had combined well.

The Trotters, though, regained the lead less than 60 seconds later when Ricardo Gardner curled home a wonderful free-kick from all of 35 yards.

Bolton then went into the interval 3-1 in-front when Michael Ricketts found the net for the second successive match.

Per Frandsen's wicked half-volley cross was met beautifully by Ricketts who headed back across goal past Shay Given and into the corner of the net.

Ricketts then looked to have sealed all three points for Bolton when he capitalised on a Gary Speed error and raced away before finishing past Given.

You can never right Newcastle off though and they tried their best to claw their way back into the game and came very close to claiming an unlikely point.

Shola Ameobi's deflected effort after 71 minutes gave the Toon Army hope and then Shearer rifled home a free-kick to make for a nervous finish to the game.

Newcastle threw everything at Bolton, but Sam Allardyce will be delighted to have seen his side hold on for all three precious points.