Bolton bounce up to sixth
Monday, March 7, 2005
Article summary
Bolton Wanderers FC kept their charge for a UEFA Cup berth on course by defeating Manchester City FC.
Article body
Bolton Wanderers FC kept their charge for a first-ever UEFA Cup berth on course with a narrow Premiership victory at Manchester City FC. A solitary goal from El-Hadji Diouf settled Bolton's fourth 1-0 away win in five matches to move Sam Allardyce's side up into sixth spot, level with Liverpool FC.
Fowler profligacy
City's clearest first-half chance came after a defensive clearance squirted straight at Bolton goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen, who failed to gather cleanly. Robbie Fowler, the Premiership's third-highest goalscorer of all time, was first to react to the loose ball but he succeeded only in prodding over visitors' crossbar, leaving the prostrate goalkeeper relieved.
Diouf strikes
At the other end, Diouf headed wide before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, poking in from point-blank range after Stylianos Giannakopoulos had made room to deliver a square pass across the face of goal.
Wright-Phillips lively
Antoine Sibierski fired a free-kick straight into Bolton's defensive wall a few minutes into the second half but it was not until added time when City looked most like salvaging a share of the spoils. However, Bolton held out to claim only their second league victory at Manchester City since 1964.
