EVERTON FOOTBALL CLUB - News Archive

Bolton 1-2 Everton
Two goals from in-form Steve Watson gave Everton a comfortable victory against Bolton Wanderers at The Reebok Stadium.

The Geordie scored a spectacular opener in the 33rd minute and then doubled his tally from close range before the break.

David Moyes selected the same starting line-up as he did against Sunderland in the previous match and they were full value for the win – Delroy Facey’s last gasp goal proving scant consolation for Bolton.

There was a scare for Everton with just 30 seconds on the clock when Michael Ricketts headed narrowly wide from close range and then on four minutes the home side squandered an even better opportunity when Ivan Campo pulled his effort past Richard Wright’s left post from no more than six yards.

Everton first threatened at the other end in the 9th minute when Tomasz Radzinski skilfully skipped clear on the right before pulling the ball back for Brian McBride, whose first time shot was blocked. Gary Naysmith volleyed off target shortly after as The Toffees finally began to settle.

After that lively start, the game went through a scrappy phase for ten minutes or so with neither side showing sufficient creativity to trouble the other.

A long throw from Alessandro Pistone caused confusion in the Trotters defence on 26 minutes but Naysmith didn’t have the time or the space to get enough purchase on his header and Jaaskelainen made a comfortable stop.

The Toffees came close again a couple minutes later after a sweeping move that deserved a goal.

David Unsoworth picked out Radzinski with a splendid forward pass and the Canadian held the ball up well before playing it square to Gemmill. The midfielder laid the ball into the path of Pistone and his first time cross was headed just wide by the diving McBride.

Everton weren’t to be denied though and took a spectacular lead in the 33rd minute.

There seemed very little on for STEVE WATSON as the ball bounced his way but with his back to goal he hooked a wonderful volley over Jaaskelainen and into the net.

The lead doubled in the 39th minute. Gary Naysmith’s shot was parried by Jaaskelainen but STEVE WATSON was on hand to lash home the loose ball.

Everton should have put the game beyond Bolton’s reach in the 54th minute when Radzinski was through on goal, only to be forced too far wide of the goal by the keeper.

Bolton also missed out when captain Gudni Bergsson headed wide from no more than eight yards.

Sam Allardyce’s side was then indebted to Jaaskelainen when he did superbly well to tip a well-struck, rising shot from Naysmith over the crossbar.

Per Frandsen also struck the ball sweetly a few minutes later but Wright made a comfortable save and a volley from Djorkaeff was always drifting wide.

Watson almost completed his hat-trick when he headed the ball into Jaaskelainen’s grateful arms from a corner on the left by Gemmill.

David Moyes brought Joseph Yobo on for Alan Stubbs, who had been injured earlier in the game, and Mark Pembridge replaced Gary Naysmith.

Yobo actually had a chance to register his first Everton goal but his far post header flashed wide of the target.

Stoppage time then suddenly became far more nervy than it should have been when Gudni Bergsson finished off a goalmouth scramble by hammering home from six yards.