After a creditable win against the Hammers, the lads will be anxiously waiting for their Vital ratings.
Player Ratings
Jussi Jaaskelainen 7
Not much to do, bar one save from Carlton Cole which was vintage Jaaskelainen.
Gretar Steinsson 6
Suspect defensively but Bolton’s best attacking outlet on the right.
Jlloyd Samuel 7
Another solid defensive display. The whereabouts of the real Jlloyd are still unknown.
Kevin Nolan 6
The skipper didn’t have enough of the ball, but worked well alongside Gavin McCann in closing down the home side’s midfield.
Andy O’Brien 7
Solid, reassuring. Distribution not up to much.
Gary Cahill 9
Imperious performance topped off with his first goal for the club. Can almost be forgiven for being sent off earlier in the season.
Zinedine McCann 8
Badger baiting has become the norm this season for Bolton fans, but the man with the silver streak earned his money in the holding midfield role.
Ricardo Gardner 8
Always busy down the left hand side and linked up with Jlloyd Samuel’s ringer well.
Johan Elmander 6
Not yet at match fitness, but showed one or two quality touches. Needs some support up front.
Kevin Davies 7
Kev didn’t hospitalise anyone and there were no calls for his imprisonment from the opposition manager. So a quiet day for him, apart from scoring one goal and creating another.
Fabrice Muamba 7
Mobile and energetic in midfield but went missing too often.
Matt Taylor 7
Own up. Who groaned when he came on? You’re not groaning anymore. Looked lively on the right and finally delivered the spectacular goal that fans have been waiting for since his arrival.
Joey O’Brien 6
Not much time to make an impression, but made a couple of telling defensive interceptions.
Manager Rating
Gary Megson 8. His line up, substitutions and organisation were bang on the money. Can the Ginger One maintain the progress?
Opponent Rating
Gianfranco Zola was a class act as a player. His backing for Robert Green and refusal to indulge in any post match sour grapes suggests he that he will continue in that vein as a manager.