Away to Portsmouth
Portsmouth 0 - 1 Bolton Wanderers
Ground: Fratton Park | Attendance: 19,105 | Referee: Uriah Rennie
- [22] Nolan - Bolton
Finally The Wanderers have managed to get an away win in The Premiership, their first this year. Having gone ahead with their first true attempt Bolton defended well to keep the lead and come away from Fratton Park with 3 points that took them up to 6th.
Kevin Nolan’s goal was well struck after Portsmouth’s Linvoy Primus (defender) failed to clear the ball following a free-kick allowing Nolan to strike the ball with power beyond goalkeeper David James.
It was the first goal that Portsmouth had conceded this season and a loss that deprived them from going ahead of Chelsea at the top of The Premiership. It was a game in which the stats did not add up - Bolton managed just four shots (two each for Nolan and Anelka) whereas the home team had plenty of opportunity with a total of 14 shots.
In summary Bolton boss Sam Allardyce said:
“It was a typical backs-to-the-wall performance from 11 very committed, determined players.
“We’ve been slightly missing that edge and tonight we didn’t slip up. We stuck to the basics and they were terrific.
“Kevin Nolan’s goal was fantastic, it was an outstanding hit and it turned the game in our favour. After that we protected our lead really well.”
After a frantic week of speculation following last Tuesday’s bung allegations by the BBC’s Panorama uncover team Sam welcomed the win showing that the squad and staff are fully committed to the game of football.
Full Match Reports : Soccernet - BBC Sport
