Bolton Wanderers

Bolton 2-0 Tottenham
Kevin Davies and Ivan Campo grabbed the goals as Bolton got their Premiership campaign off to a winning start. Bolton went in front after less than 10 minutes when striker Davies broke free from his marker to head in from Gary Speed's corner. Campo doubled their lead with a stunning strike from well outside the area that flew past Paul Robinson. Tottenham were strangely below-par and had England keeper Robinson to thank for preventing further damage. Bolton endured a torrid pre-season with five defeats in six games and with manager Sam Allardyce supposedly frustrated by a lack of signings. But within nine minutes that was all forgotten as Allardyce's side were off the mark through a typical goal from one of the manager's old favourites. Spurs defender Calum Davenport appeared to be held back by Abdoulaye Meite, allowing Davies a free run to the near post where he met Speed's corner with a powerful header. Four minutes later and Bolton doubled their advantage through a Campo wonder strike. Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas made a slack attempt at a clearance, but there looked little danger as Campo ran on to hit a ball that was nearer the halfway line than the edge of Spurs' area. The Spaniard connected cleanly with a low, curling shot that wrongfooted Robinson and inspired a delighted Bolton chairman Phil Gartside to embrace Allardyce. Tottenham had handed debuts to striker Dimitar Berbatov along with Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Didier Zokora. Berbatov showed a neat touch but was given little room to impress by a Bolton backline well marshalled by Trotters new boy Meite. Spurs striker Jermain Defoe was given a hint of space in the Bolton area midway through the first half but Jussi Jaaskelainen was equal to his well placed shot. That was about as good as it got for Spurs in an uninspiring first half display. The influential Speed could have made it 3-0 but a flying save from Robinson prevented his free-kick from going in the top corner, while at the other end Jenas' poor effort from a similar area summed up Spurs' first-half performance. Things briefly brightened up for Spurs after the break as Aaron Lennon drove in on goal only for Tal Ben Haim to get across and produce a potentially goal-saving block. Berbatov got a sniff of a debut goal when he was sent through but when he tried to go round Jaaskelainen the keeper anticipated well to cut out the danger. But Bolton were still the more likely scorers as Kevin Nolan side-footed just wide after a poor Michael Dawson clearance and Robinson's brilliant point-blank save beat out El-Hadji Diouf's header. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bolton manager Sam Allardyce: \"I'm delighted with the performance of the players because of all the disruptions they've suffered in pre-season. \"We had 13 fit professionals which is extremely worrying. \"But getting off to the start we did allayed any fears they had. They played extremely well for me and it's a good and valuable three points - and no injuries to boot.\" Tottenham manager Martin Jol on the opening goal: \" can't even mark him because he's holding him back and you hope the referee sees it but he didn't see it. \"We were full of confidence but they are a strong team physically. \"The only positive for us is the new players now know the Premiership is different.\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Hunt, Meite, Ben Haim, Fortune, Campo, Diouf, Nolan, Speed, Vaz Te (Giannakopoulos 86), Davies. Subs Not Used: Walker, Tal, Smith, Fojut. Goals: Davies 9, Campo 13. Tottenham: Robinson, Lee (Huddlestone 75), Dawson, Davenport, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon, Jenas, Zokora (Keane 59), Davids, Defoe, Berbatov. Subs Not Used: Cerny, Gardner, Ziegler. Att: 22,899. Ref: P Dowd (Staffordshire).

Bolton dismiss new Allardyce link
Bolton chairman Phil Gartside has again denied claims that Sam Allardyce will be leaving the Reebok Stadium to take over at Sunderland. Reports earlier this summer suggested the struggling Black Cats were targeting the Bolton boss and the rumours resurfaced on Saturday. But Gartside told Radio Manchester: \"Sam will not be going to Sunderland. \"I did not even bother ringing him about the speculation. It is just wasting his time and my time.\" Niall Quinn is currently combining his role as chairman of Sunderland with the managerial position but his side have suffered an awful start to the season, losing their first four games. He has insisted he is prepared to step down - if the club can find the right person to take over. \"If someone comes along to take the club forward, I promise there is no pride here and I'll walk,\" he said after Sunderland's latest defeat, which was a 3-1 loss at Southend. \"But whoever comes in will have a real job turning this around.\"

Anelka claims he will join Bolton
French striker Nicolas Anelka claims he is close to signing for Bolton. The former Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City forward is currently with Turkish club Fenerbahce but has told manager Zico he wants to leave. \"My wish is to return to the Premier League and it could materialise soon,\" the 27-year-old told French sports newspaper L'Equipe. \"I have an agreement with Bolton on the basis of a four-year contract. I hope it will be finalised this week.\" Anelka has won 31 caps for France, scoring seven goals, but was not included in the World Cup squad. Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp also expressed an interest in Anelka but admitted the asking price was too high. Anelka made his name at Arsenal where he spent two seasons before moving to Real Madrid, costing the Spanish giants £23m. However, he lasted only one season in Spain before moving on to Paris St Germain, Liverpool and Manchester City before arriving at Fenerbahce.

Speed commits future to Trotters
Bolton midfielder Gary Speed has signed a new two-year deal that will keep him at the Reebok Stadium until the summer of 2008. The 36-year-old former Wales player joined the Trotters from Newcastle in 2004 and has made over 70 appearances and scored five goals for the club. \"Gary's top-flight experience is second to none and is vital to this football club,\" said Bolton boss Sam Allardyce. \"He's been with us for two seasons and has been exceptional in that time.\"

Allardyce hopeful of Anelka deal
Bolton manager Sam Allardyce is hopeful of completing the signing of Fenerbahce striker Nicolas Anelka. Allardyce told Sir Stanley: \"We are hoping that it will soon come to a conclusion. But until we get the OK from Fenerbahce, we can't really say. \"For a club like us to attract a player like him is quite an achievement. \"And me and Nicolas, if he does arrive at Bolton, would have to strike up a good relationship so I can get the best out of him.\" The 27-year-old Anelka wants to leave the Turkish side for the Reebok Stadium. And the former Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City forward, says he has told Fenerbahce boss Zico he wants to leave. He earlier told French sports newspaper L'Equipe: \"My wish is to return to the Premier League and it could materialise soon \"I have an agreement with Bolton on the basis of a four-year contract. I hope it will be finalised this week.\" Anelka has won 31 caps for France, scoring seven goals, but was not included in the World Cup squad. Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp also expressed an interest in Anelka but admitted the asking price was too high. Anelka made his name at Arsenal where he spent two seasons before moving to Real Madrid, costing the Spanish giants £23m. However, he lasted only one season in Spain before moving on to Paris St Germain, Liverpool and Manchester City before arriving at Fenerbahce.

Fulham v Bolton
Fulham midfielder Michael Brown should be fit to play despite having blisters on his right foot. Denmark midfielder Claus Jensen remains in the treatment room with a calf injury while Mark Pembridge is suffering from an Achilles injury. Bolton manager Sam Allardyce is set to name an unchanged line-up after Saturday's win over Tottenham. Ricardo Gardner (knee), Henrik Pedersen (Achilles) and Abdoulaye Faye and Joey O'Brien (both knee) are again absent. Fulham boss Chris Coleman: \"We can analyse our mistakes against United until next year but we can't change it. \"Now it is about starting our season again with a win and getting Craven Cottage back to being a fortress again. \"We have to make sure we are positive against a tough Bolton side. It took us four matches to get our first win last season but now we can do it in two.\" Bolton boss Sam Allardyce: \"I have a responsibility to lift the squad by bringing in new signings, so far I have not been able to do it. \"We will continue to look at new players but it has been a huge problem this year because of the price inflation both in terms of fees and salaries. \"There never seems to be a good time for us to visit Fulham. It doesn't matter when we have got them, or what our form has been like at the time, we have always lost.\" Fulham (from): Niemi, Crossley, Drobny, Queudrue, Rosenior, Volz, Knight, Bocanegra, Pearce, Christanval, Zakuani, Brown, Boa Morte, Diop, Bullard, Timlin, Elrich, Helguson, McBride, John, Radzinski, Runstrom. Bolton (from): Jaaskelainen, Walker, Hunt, Ben Haim, Meite, Nolan, Speed, Giannakopoulos, Campo, Fortune, Tal, Davies, Vaz Te, Diouf, Sissons, Smith, Fojut, Wolfe.

Fulham 1-1 Bolton
Jimmy Bullard scored a stoppage-time penalty to rescue a point for Fulham. El-Hadji Diouf had given Bolton the lead with a penalty after Luis Boa Morte was adjudged to have fouled Gary Speed as he closed in on a cross. But in a game of few chances Bullard's strike just squeezed past Jussi Jaaskelainen after Abdoulaye Faye was penalised for handball. Jaaskelainen had earlier made saves from Brian McBride and Michael Brown while Faye went close for Fulham. The result means that Bolton are still searching for their first away win in the Premiership since their 4-0 victory at Everton last December. But after Fulham's 5-1 thrashing at Manchester United on Sunday the point will be gratefully received by Fulham boss Chris Coleman. In truth it was a poor game that only really came to life after Diouf's 73rd minute goal. Bolton's only first-half opening came when Ivan Campo picked out an unmarked Kevin Davies but the Bolton striker could not control the ball cleanly with his first touch and Heidar Helguson cleared. Bullard provided several of the game's few moments of real quality with his delivery from set pieces. McBride met his curling free kick after 15 minutes but Jaskelainen saved his header, while Ian Pearce could not find the target after another superb ball from Bullard. A long-range shot from Bullard on the half-hour mark was heading wide but took a wicked deflection off Quinton Fortune and forced another save from Jaaskelainen. Helguson evaded Nicky Hunt but headed wide after the break, while Brown connected with a Luis Boa Morte cross but Jaaskelainen saved low down. Fortune, troubled so often by injury at Manchester United, limped off to be replaced by Faye, who almost made an immediate impact with a header that he could not quite keep on target. A set piece seemed the most likely prospect for a goal and so it proved with Diouf's superbly taken penalty, which he buried in the top corner of the net. The goal brought the game to life and Ricardo Vaz Te almost doubled Bolton's advantage but could not quite keep his header from Diouf's inviting cross on target. Tomasz Radzinski came on for Fulham and twice went close with shots, one of them hooked clear by Faye. But Fulham were not to be denied and after Boa Morte's header struck Faye flush on the arm Bullard restored parity to score his first goal since joining the Cottagers. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fulham manager Chris Coleman: \"Playing Bolton after being beaten 5-1 you need to show great character and we showed that in bundles. \"We tried to match Bolton with their direct style and we worked hard. We had a real go and tried to win the game. \"We will take many positives into the next game, against Sheffield United.\" Bolton manager Sam Allardyce on Abdoulaye Faye's handball: \"It was very unprofessional, very childish. There was no need to do what he did. \"Had he not done that I think that we would have cleared the ball. \"For the last six seasons we have come to Fulham and got nothing. This time we got our noses in front - that's why I am so disappointed not to have won.\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fulham: Niemi, Queudrue, Christanval, Pearce, Rosenior, Brown (Radzinski 81), Diop, Bullard, Boa Morte, Helguson (John 69), McBride. Subs Not Used: Drobny, Volz, Bocanegra. Goals: Bullard 90 pen. Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Hunt, Meite, Ben Haim, Fortune (Pedersen 66), Nolan, Campo, Speed, Vaz Te, Davies (Faye 60), Diouf. Subs Not Used: Walker, Giannakopoulos, Tal. Booked: Davies, Diouf, Nolan. Goals: Diouf 73 pen. Att: 18,559 Ref: A Wiley (Staffordshire).

Bolton sign Anelka in record deal
Nicolas Anelka has signed a four-year deal with Bolton after the Premiership club agreed to pay a club record £8m to Fenerbahce for the striker. The Frenchman, 27, who has previously played for Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City, successfully completed a medical with Wanderers on Thursday. He has been in Turkey with Fenerbahce for the last 18 months. \"Nicolas is a player with an amazing track record in the Premiership,\" said Bolton boss Sam Allardyce. \"Patience is a virtue and I am pleased to say that all the waiting and hard work we've done behind the scenes has paid off.\" \"He was born to score goals. His talent and experience will be a valuable asset for us. \"It's an unprecedented amount of money for Bolton Wanderers to spend and fully underlines the club's ambition,\" Allardyce added.

Charlton v Bolton
Charlton have Djimi Traore available again following a one-match ban. Darren Bent and Matt Holland (dead legs) are expected to be fit, and Andy Reid (back) could return, but Gonzalo Sorondo is out with a spine injury. Bolton's new signing Nicolas Anelka will watch the game, but is not expected to feature. Sam Allardyce has only one fresh injury doubt, with defender Quinton Fortune struggling with the ankle injury he suffered at Fulham on Wednesday. Charlton (from): Carson, Young, Hreidarsson, Traore, El Karkouri, Ambrose, Holland, Faye, Hughes, Hasselbaink, D Bent, Myhre, M Bent, Rommedahl, Kishishev, Fortune, Lisbie, Reid. Bolton (from): Jaaskelainen, Hunt, Meite, Ben Haim, Fortune, Nolan, Campo, Speed, Vaz Te, Davies, Diouf, Pedersen, Faye, Tal, Walker, Giannakopoulos. Charlton manager Iain Dowie: \"We have not had an ideal start but this is where character comes to the fore. \"We have got to make sure we are nice and resilient, and a little braver on the ball when we do get it. \"This is a pressure game but I cannot wait for it.\" Bolton manager Sam Allardyce: \"We've started well so it is our objective to get a win at the Valley.\" \"The aim is to get an early goal, hold a lead and ultimately a clean sheet. I think this is our hardest game so far.\"

Charlton 2-0 Bolton
Darren Bent's double sealed Charlton's first Premiership points of the season in a tale of two penalties and two red cards against Bolton at The Valley. Charlton were reduced to 10 men when Hermann Hreidarsson was sent off for elbowing Kevin Davies. Bolton's El Hadji Diouf missed a penalty after he was brought down but Bent made no mistake at the other end. Davies was then sent off for elbowing Amady Faye, and Bent sealed the points with a cool finish. Bolton's club-record £8m signing Nicolas Anelka watched moodily from the stands as his move from Fenerbahce was not competed in time to play. He saw Diouf blaze the game's first chance into orbit after Stelios Giannakopoulis opened Charlton up down the right and picked the Senegal striker out at the far post. Giannakopoulos wasted a golden chance to put Bolton ahead after Davies sent him clear. The Greek midfielder opted to check back inside Talal El Karkouri and as he tried to round keeper Scott Carson, Bryan Hughes got back to clear. Charlton should have scored their first goal of the season from open play when Ambrose latched on to Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's reverse pass. Jussi Jaaskelainen spread himself to save and the ball broke for Bent who placed his shot too close to Abdoulaye Meite who cleared off the line and when it came back for Ambrose to stick into the net, he was ruled offside. The catalogue of missed chances thickened as Giannakopoulos headed wide from six yards out but Charlton were reduced to 10 men after 29 minutes. Referee Mike Dean had penalised Bolton striker Davies three times for leading with his arm when jumping, but he showed Hreidarsson a straight red when he caught Davies with his elbow. Hreidarsson gets his marching orders Charlton created few chances with a full complement and their enforced re-shuffle saw boss Iain Dowie sacrifice the width offered by Ambrose for Radostin Kishishev's defensive qualities. El Karkouri powered a header over the bar from Andy Reid's well-flighted free-kick at the start of the second half and a set piece seemed Charlton's best way of prising Bolton open. Within the space of 10 minutes the game became a tale of two penalties. Bolton were awarded a spot-kick when Faye clipped Diouf, who had got goal-side of him. Faye was the last defender but escaped with a yellow card and his relief turned to joy when Carson read Diouf's intentions and plunged low to his right to save his penalty. Charlton then won a penalty when Tal Ben Haim tugged Bent back by his shirt. The Israeli too escaped with a caution, but Bent made no mistake from the spot. Davies had lived by the sword all afternoon and eventually perished by it as he caught Faye with his elbow and was dismissed. Bent sealed the points five minutes from time when he latched on to Hasselbaink's flick and his first touch took round him Jaaskelainen to slot home. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Charlton manager Iain Dowie on Hermann Hreidarsson's dismissal: \"In the light of the incident with Ben Thatcher, perhaps it was in sharper focus. \"But was he looking at Kevin Davies when he caught him? No. Was there any malice in what he did? No. \"Was he smashed in the face by an elbow himself earlier on? Yes he was.\" Bolton boss Sam Allardyce: \"Kevin Davies was sent off because he had already sent Hreidarsson off. \"I think Hreidarsson's elbow on Kevin was deliberate, but there was no intention when Kevin caught Amady Faye. \"But I think the referee decided he needed to even things up.\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Charlton: Carson, Young, El Karkouri, Hreidarsson, Traore, Ambrose (Kishishev 37), Hughes, Faye, Reid (Marcus Bent 89), Hasselbaink (Holland 89), Darren Bent. Subs Not Used: Myhre, Rommedahl. Sent Off: Hreidarsson (28). Booked: Faye. Goals: Darren Bent 65 pen, 85. Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Pedersen (Faye 78), Ben Haim, Meite, Hunt (Tal 75), Campo, Giannakopoulos (Vaz Te 68), Nolan, Speed, Diouf, Davies. Subs Not Used: Walker, Smith. Sent Off: Davies (72). Booked: Diouf, Giannakopoulos, Ben Haim, Nolan. Att: 23,638. Ref: M Dean (Wirral).

Bolton set sights on Malbranque
Bolton manager Sam Allardyce has joined the race to sign Fulham midfielder Steed Malbranque. The 26-year-old Frenchman is refusing to sign a new contract at Fulham but Allardyce faces competition from West Ham and Portsmouth for his signature. \"There is a club - and clubs - interested. We are close to a deal with one,\" said Fulham boss Chris Coleman. \"I would dearly love to bring Malbranque to the Reebok,\" Allardyce told his club's website. \"There is no secret that he wants away from Fulham and I hope that we can do a deal for him.\" He added: \"There is a lot of French influence in my squad and maybe that could persuade him to join us ahead of other teams that are also interested in him.\" West Ham are one of the clubs linked with Malbranque and manager Alan Pardew hinted that he was looking to boost his squad before the transfer window shuts. \"It's going to be a difficult week because everyone knows there's only a limited amount of time left,\" said Pardew. \"Both the buyers and sellers are hedging their bets and that makes it awkward for the Premiership clubs who are trying to secure the faces that can take clubs forward and strengthen squads.\" Malbranque has already turned down a £4m move to Middlesbrough. He wants to see out the remaining year of his contract and leave for free but Coleman, who has told Malbranque he will not play for the club again, wants to sell the player. \"We've agreed fees with other clubs but he doesn't want to move. He wants to see his contract out so he can move on for nothing next summer,\" said Coleman. \"I've told Steed to his face, he won't play for Fulham even if he's fit.\" Coleman added: \"We've been consistent with what we've said. We've done everything we can to keep Steed happy, offering him a long-term and short-term contract. \"He's turned down everything. It's Steed's way or no way. We said to him last season, don't go down this route because there will be no winners. \"We've had good service from a quality player, but he's had good service from us too, so it works both ways. \"Letting him walk away is bad business on our part and we have to set a precedent for other players. We can't let players who we have invested a lot of money in walk away for nothing.\" Newcastle and Aston Villa have also shown interest in the Frenchman. Coleman said that he wanted to sign another midfielder but that would depend on whether a buyer comes in for Malbranque. \"We're looking to bring in someone to play wide right. Maybe it will have to be a loan deal,\" he said. \"Looking at the budget we thought we'd lose one or two players that we've still got, so we don't have the money to bring in anyone else. \"I've been told we can't buy but I've been looking at the position since last season. Selling Steed would release cash for us, maybe enough for two players.\"

Bolton dealt Davies injury blow
Bolton striker Kevin Davies has been ruled out for up to six weeks with a depressed fracture of the cheekbone. The 29-year-old picked up the injury when he was elbowed in the face by Charlton's Hermann Hreidarsson during Saturday's Premiership fixture. Hreidarsson was sent off, although Davies continued until he was dismissed for an incident involving Amady Faye. \"It's terrible news for Kevin and the squad,\" Bolton boss Sam Allardyce told the club website. Allardyce added: \"I feel for Kevin. He is the ultimate professional who always gives his best no matter what strain he is under from opposition defenders.\" \"It is appalling that Kevin doesn't get the protection he deserves from referees. \"He is constantly put under duress by defenders and he never feigns injury or tries to con the referee by simulating. Meanwhile, the Bolton boss added that the club will appeal against Davies' sending off. \"Even though Kevin will be out of action for six weeks, we feel it is right to appeal against his dismissal. There was nothing in the incident and he was unjustly sent from the field,\" he said.

Mares reveals £2m move to Bolton
Zenit St Petersburg's Czech Republic defender Pavel Mares claims he is joining Bolton in a £2m move. Mares caught the eye of Bolton boss Sam Allardyce when the sides played in the Uefa Cup last season. He said: \"I'm joining Bolton. The contract hasn't been signed yet but I plan to sort this out before the transfer window closes. \"Bolton are one of the strongest teams in the Premiership and I'm very glad to be going there.\"

Bolton send Mares back to Russia
Bolton have said they will not be signing Zenit St Petersburg's Czech Republic defender Pavel Mares. The 30-year-old claimed he was set to join the club and had spent the past day in discussions. Mares caught the eye of Bolton boss Sam Allardyce when the sides played in the Uefa Cup last season. The former Sparta Prague player made 10 appearances for the Czech Republic and was a member of the 2006 World Cup squad in Germany.

Bolton boss Sam Allardyce has revealed he failed in an attempt to bring Real Madrid defender Ivan Helguera to the club on deadline day. The Trotters had a bid for the 31-year-old accepted by Real, only for the defender to turn down the chance to move to The Reebok Stadium. Helguera's snub was the latest in a long line of disappointments for Allardyce, who missed out on a number of top targets over the summer. Allardyce had remained hopeful of doing a deal for the Spanish international at the 11th hour but was again left with nothing to show for his work as the stopper refused the switch. \"It was all sorted out and in the end the player had a change of mind,\" Allardyce told Sky Sports News. \"It was a very close call going into the last hour or so and sadly the player declined in the end after everything was done. \"There are many things that happen and you think you are there, you sort out all the financial problems first and foremost. \"Then all of a sudden the player has a change of mind so it gets very very disappointing and of course in our past history we're used to those disappointments and we have to take them on the chin and move on.\"

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