Bolton gained some of the ground they lost to Sunderland in the Barclays Premier League on the late afternoon of Sunday 13th February 2011 by defeating Everton 2-0 at the Reebok Stadium.
A goal early in each half, from Gary Cahill (10) and Daniel Sturridge (67) were enough to secure the three points which kept Bolton in eighth place in the league, just one point behind Sunderland in 7th, and three behind Liverpool, in 6th, both of whom failed to take maximum points on Saturday.
The result, which Toffees boss David Moyes described, after the game, as one of the worst performances in his nine years at the helm of the club, means that Everton sit 13th, just three points above Wigan, who are in the relegation places.
Despite being away from home, Everton had controlled the lion’s share of possession, but goal scoring opportunities proved to be thin on the ground and, without Louis Saha, who was injured, they looked a little short of a finishing touch when opportunities did arise. Tim Cahill, back in starting action following Australia’s Asian Cup, will be disappointed not to have done better with a first half chance, however.
Bolton, for their part, were the more clinical of the two sides, though it took two set pieces to settle the result: Gary Cahill ghosted in unmarked to head home from a free-kick; while Daniel Sturridge scored from close range after another free-kick.
Bolton will be without Zat Knight for the first time in over 50 Premier League matches after the player injured his knee ligaments stretching to make a block. Incredibly, prior to the injury, Knight had started the 50 previous matches, and played every minute of those matches.
Everton, who could have got something from this match with a better finish here or there, and some better discipline around their own penalty area, will be looking for a better result from their next league match – a home game against Sunderland a week on Saturday – in order to try to get their season back on track. Bolton have a difficult visit to Newcastle on the same day, but will carry plenty of confidence from the manner of this victory.
