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A first-half brace from Ricardo Vaz Te helped Bolton to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Spanish side Espanyol. A late header from Gary Speed finished the job Vaz Te had began to give a strong Wanderers side the victory over last season's beaten UEFA Cup finalists. Vaz Te now becomes the clubs leading goalscorer in pre-season, with a total of three, after his late strike against Tranmere at the weekend. The hosts began the brighter of the two sides, and an early effort from Ivan Campo was a sign of things to come from the Bolton offence. However, Espanyol were threatening on the break, and Jussi Jaaskelainen had to be in top form to deny the visitorys the lead, when he pushed away a Tamudo header after the striker was first to a free-kick. Campo then went close with a volley from the edge of the area, before Wanderers took the lead just a couple of minutes later. Abdoulaye Faye's relentless work in midfield ended with him putting a pin-point cross into the area for Vaz Te to head home whilst under pressure. Danny Guthrie then had an effort which went over the bar, with the visitors compaining as they had a man down injured on the other side of the field. Bolton had full control of this game but Espanyol were always looking dangerous on the break, and Luis Garcia would have equalised but for another great save from Jussi Jaaskelainen in the Bolton goal. Five minutes before the break, Vaz Te doubled Bolton's lead. A James Sinclair throw was flicked on by Kevin Davies, and the Portuguese youngster hit a left footed shot on the turn into the back of the net. Numerous changes were made at the break, interrupting the games fluency a bit, but it was still the hosts who were on top. Nicolas Anelka was looking dangerous at times, and had a good opportunity after beating an Espanyol defender, but hitting his shot straight at the goalkeeper. But Bolton wrapped up the game with five minutes remaining. Anelka's free-kick from the right reached the back post, and with hesitancy from the Espanyol defence, Gary Speed headed home at the back post to send the Bolton fans home happy. The Trotters now face a tough away game at Colchester on Saturday before next week's Premier League opener against Newcastle United. |
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