Bolton Wanderers 2 – 3 Liverpool
10 Man Bolton Unlucky Not to Share the Points
- Venue: The Reebok Stadium
- Attendance: 23,284
- Referee: Alan Wiley
- Gary Cahill [13]
- Kevin Davies [33]
- Fabrice Muamba [37]
- Glen Johnson [41]
- Sean Davis [45 +2]
- Tamir Cohen [47]
- Sean Davis [54] (2nd Yellow)
- Fernando Torres [56]
- Steven Gerrard [59]
- Steven Gerrard [83]
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.
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