Bolton Wanderers 2 – 3 Liverpool

10 Man Bolton Unlucky Not to Share the Points

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  • Venue: The Reebok Stadium
  • Attendance: 23,284
  • Referee: Alan Wiley
  • Gary Cahill [13] Bolton Wanderers
  • Kevin Davies [33] Bolton Wanderers
  • Fabrice Muamba [37] Bolton Wanderers
  • Glen Johnson [41] Liverpool
  • Sean Davis [45 +2] Bolton Wanderers
  • Tamir Cohen [47] Bolton Wanderers
  • Sean Davis [54] (2nd Yellow)Bolton Wanderers
  • Fernando Torres [56] Liverpool
  • Steven Gerrard [59] Liverpool
  • Steven Gerrard [83] Liverpool

When Bolton take on Liverpool passions tend to flare both on and off the pitch — today’s fixture was no different.

Early in the first half Bolton defended well to quell Liverpool’s repetitive forays but rarely attacked the visitor’s goal. Bolton’s Jussi Jaaskelainen had little to do in the first half hour as the visitor’s long–range efforts were duly blocked. When they did manage to break Bolton gave possession away too easily and rarely fought their way into the final third.

Bolton noticeably improved after about 25 minutes of play. Elmander, under pressure near the left post, could not create enough space to nod in an opening goal, but Bolton managed to get ahead from a corner. Matt Taylor whipped the ball to the far post for Elmander to header down across the goalmouth where Kevin Davies duly tapped the ball past Reina.

Liverpool fought back and equalised a few minutes before half–time. Gerrard’s corner was cleared by Elmander but only as far as Glen Johnson who struck the ball from just outside the penalty area. Bolton seemed undeterred and came close to going ahead again a couple of times before referee Alan Wiley blew for half–time. Tamir Cohen took a chance from just outside the area but his effort whizzed over the bar. Matthew Taylor tested Jose Reina with a free kick awarded for a foul on Matt by Leiva Lucas.

After the break Bolton took The Reds by surprise when Kevin Davies crossed to an awaiting Tamir Cohen who gave The Trotters the lead once again with a superb shot.

Soon after Sean Davis was given a questionable second yellow card, of course resulting in a red. Bolton were instantly put under pressure and managed to fend off an inevitable equaliser for less than 2 minutes. A looping Gerrard pass was chested down by Dirk Kuyt to Fernando Torres whose second touch brought the score level once again.

There was no sign of Liverpool easing the pressure, but Bolton battled to hang on to a share of the points. Torres played a part in Liverpool’s third goal by heading back towards the penalty spot from the left side of the six yard box. An unmarked Steven Gerrard curled the ball past an outstretched Jussi Jaaskelainen.

Bolton were loosing for the first time and, despite Sean’s dismissal, they managed to create a few desperate chances as ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ echoed around The Reebok Stadium. Alas it wasn’t to be and Bolton had to rely on Jussi to keep Liverpool’s winning margin to a minimum. A late shot from Torres was arguably over the line, but we won’t mention that.

The unfortunate dismissal of Sean Davis was a clear turning point, but overall Bolton were definitely unlucky and a draw would have been a fairer reflection of Bolton’s determination. Bolton’s third defeat on the trot sees them dip into the relegation zone but it’s early days dear reader, early days.

Bolton’s next Premier League match is in two weeks (September 12th, 2009) against Portsmouth at Fratton Park.

Official BWFC Website Match Report
Official Liverpool Website Match Report

  • Anonymous

    Have you seen the stats?

    http://www.bolton.vitalfootball.co.uk/stats.asp?a=168229

    If you have less than 20% of possession in a game, you are not normally considered unlucky if you don’t get a point.

  • http://twitter.com/bwfc24 Chris Marshall

    You’re absolutely right, ‘not normally’ but despite the unequal amount of possession I still maintain that Bolton were unlucky not to get a point.rnrnI had not seen those stats, the BBC recorded 37% possession for Bolton. Which ever stat is correct I admit it is really poor.

  • http://twitter.com/bwfc24 Chris Marshall

    You’re absolutely right, ‘not normally’ but despite the unequal amount of possession I still maintain that Bolton were unlucky not to get a point.rnrnI had not seen those stats, the BBC recorded 37% possession for Bolton. Which ever stat is correct I admit it is really poor.

  • http://twitter.com/bwfc24 Chris Marshall

    You’re absolutely right, ‘not normally’ but despite the unequal amount of possession I still maintain that Bolton were unlucky not to get a point.rnrnI had not seen those stats, the BBC recorded 37% possession for Bolton. Which ever stat is correct I admit it is really poor.

  • http://twitter.com/bwfc24 Chris Marshall

    You’re absolutely right, ‘not normally’ but despite the unequal amount of possession I still maintain that Bolton were unlucky not to get a point.rnrnI had not seen those stats, the BBC recorded 37% possession for Bolton. Which ever stat is correct I admit it is really poor.

  • http://twitter.com/bwfc24 Chris Marshall

    You’re absolutely right, ‘not normally’ but despite the unequal amount of possession I still maintain that Bolton were unlucky not to get a point.rnrnI had not seen those stats, the BBC recorded 37% possession for Bolton. Which ever stat is correct I admit it is really poor.

  • http://twitter.com/bwfc24 Chris Marshall

    You’re absolutely right, ‘not normally’ but despite the unequal amount of possession I still maintain that Bolton were unlucky not to get a point.rnrnI had not seen those stats, the BBC recorded 37% possession for Bolton. Which ever stat is correct I admit it is really poor.

  • http://twitter.com/bwfc24 Chris Marshall

    You’re absolutely right, ‘not normally’ but despite the unequal amount of possession I still maintain that Bolton were unlucky not to get a point.rnrnI had not seen those stats, the BBC recorded 37% possession for Bolton. Which ever stat is correct I admit it is really poor.

  • http://twitter.com/bwfc24 Chris Marshall

    You’re absolutely right, ‘not normally’ but despite the unequal amount of possession I still maintain that Bolton were unlucky not to get a point.rnrnI had not seen those stats, the BBC recorded 37% possession for Bolton. Which ever stat is correct I admit it is really poor.

  • http://twitter.com/bwfc24 Chris Marshall

    You’re absolutely right, ‘not normally’ but despite the unequal amount of possession I still maintain that Bolton were unlucky not to get a point.rnrnI had not seen those stats, the BBC recorded 37% possession for Bolton. Which ever stat is correct I admit it is really poor.

  • http://twitter.com/bwfc24 Chris Marshall

    You’re absolutely right, ‘not normally’ but despite the unequal amount of possession I still maintain that Bolton were unlucky not to get a point.

    I had not seen those stats, the BBC recorded 37% possession for Bolton. Which ever stat is correct I admit it is really poor.

  • http://matchweb.com.cn/bolton-wanderers-2-%e2%80%93-3-liverpool/ Bolton Wanderers 2 – 3 Liverpool Match Web

    [...] Originally posted here: Bolton Wanderers 2 – 3 Liverpool [...]

  • aaronfairhurst

    Have you seen the stats?

    http://www.bolton.vitalfootball.co.uk/stats.asp…

    If you have less than 20% of possession in a game, you are not normally considered unlucky if you don't get a point.

  • http://twitter.com/bwfc24 Chris Marshall

    You're absolutely right, 'not normally' but despite the unequal amount of possession I still maintain that Bolton were unlucky not to get a point.

    I had not seen those stats, the BBC recorded 37% possession for Bolton. Which ever stat is correct I admit it is really poor.