Eurosport - Sat, 30 Aug 17:55:00 2008
West Bromwich Albion held Bolton Wanderers to a goalless draw in an entertaining match at the Reebok Stadium.
In a game that Bolton edged but West Brom played the better football Kevin Davies twice had the ball in the back of the net only to be denied by the assistant referee for offside.
A first half littered by fouls saw West Brom have less of the ball and fewer shots, but play more creative football than their hosts.
Fernandez Borja Valero typified that creativity. He orchestrated much for the visitors and almost scored in the 34th minute. After exchanging passes with Paul Robinson and Kim Do-heon he found himself through on goal but could not beat Jussi Jaaskelainen.
This after Jaaskelainen had already made an outstanding stop from James Morrison, tipping an effort that was destined for the top corner around the post.
But Bolton were still dangerous, Ricardo Gardner striking the post after some good approach play and a mazy run found the Jamaican international in on Scott Carson but at a tight angle could only find the post.
Meanwhile, Davies was as usual not only a nuisance but a threat. He was unfortunate to be called for a foul after teeing up Kevin Nolan - who could only drive over.
The intensity of the match went up a notch after the break and it seemed to suit Bolton, as for the first twenty minutes they had the Baggies camped in their own half.
Gardner saw one shot go wide and another blocked by Carl Hoefkens, and, after a poor refereeing decision gave Bolton a free-kick on the edge of the box, Scott Carson pulled off an exceptional save to push Mustapha Riga's effort away from danger.
Bolton's best chance of scoring looked to be from a set piece, and Riga again had Carson worried after curling a free-kick just past the post.
After looking tired and jaded West Brom burst into life. A neat passing move found Kim in space and he unleashed a wicked effort that came back off the underside of the bar, bounced on the line and into the path of Ishmael Miller. But he could only head straight at Jasskelainen.
And with that went West Brom's last real chance to win it. From there on in it was all Bolton and Davies had the ball in the net twice - first after following up a Carson parry and then tapping in from a Danny Shittu headed lay-off but he was correctly adjudged to be offside on both occasions.
And with those chances gone, so had the chance to grab all three points.
Comment 1 - 4 of 4
Bolton will stay up if we sign a striker as cover for Elmander. We also need a creative midfield player since Diouf left.
Come on Megson get a star buy in before its too late!!
havin a lauf r u bolton r gonna stuggle u dnt hav much in da locker 2 b fair nd we dominated dunno wot ur on maximus bt we will c da league at da end of da season. Also remember dat megson is a west brom reject bt ur stuk wid him nd ur in troble.
bolton had better buck there ideas up or face a religation fight wba far better team on the day megsons a god but not sure he can cut it in the premiership
Boring game...WBA have beta wake up if they intend to stay!
Please login to post a comment
Not already a Yahoo! user ? Sign up to get a free Yahoo! Account