Trotters 4 Pies 1

Bolton eased past Wigan Athletic at the Reebok thanks to some charitable defending from the visitors. The fun started in the second minute as Paul Scharner put a powerful header past his own keeper from El Hadji Diouf`s cross when under no pressure whatsoever. At the other end Abdoulaye Meite gifted Wigan an equaliser when he not only back heeled the ball to Denny Landzaat but unsighted ‘keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen. The Latics were back in it and for a period looked the better team. The defensive organisation that had stifled Manchester Unite was completely missing from Bolton`s play and a better team than Wigan would profited from the acres of space granted to them.

It was against the run of play when Bolton regained the lead. Nicolas Anelka had missed a penalty minutes earlier but he went some way towards atoning for that as he turned Nicky Hunt`s fine pass across the face of goal for Kevin Nolan to score. The Bolton captain fell over the ball but just for once it went in the right direction.

The second half started with Wigan pressure. Jaaskelainen was called into action as the away side won seven corners in succession. That passage of play ended only when Emile Heskey headed over from close range when it was easier to score. He should ask that nice Paul Scharner for some tips.

Bolton put the game beyond reach twenty minutes from time when Kevin Davies lost his marker and turned Diouf`s well flighted free kick into the net. Anelka added a fourth late on, after excellent build up play. Kevin Davies received a superb eighty-yard pass from Ivan Campo and he sent the ball across the face of goal where the Frenchman had a simple tap in.

A good result for Bolton both in terms of points and goal difference and one which leaves the Latics firmly in the relegation zone. However, the performance left much to be desired. The scoreline was hugely flattering to Bolton and they will have to improve considerably to get past Birmingham at the ‘Bok in a couple of week`s time.