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Gary Megson has picked up his first win as Bolton manager with a memorable 1-0 victory over Manchester United. Nicolas Anelka's 11th minute strike was enough for the three points and lift Wanderers out of the relegation zone. Bolton went into the game without a win in nine games, but were largely the better side in the opening 45 minutes and deserved their lead. Danny Guthrie was fouled midway inside the United half, winning the free-kick which resulted in the opening goal. Ivan Campo's chip into the box was midjudged by Gerald Pique who got caught under the ball, leaving Anelka unmarked to turn and shoot into the far corner. Pique was replacing the injured Nemanja Vidic who picked up a back injury on international duty with Serbia during the week. Also missing from the visitors squad was Cristiano Ronaldo, who having played two Euro 2008 qualifiers for Portugal last week was rested by Sir Alex Ferguson. Despite the early goal, neither side threatened to score during the remainder of the first half, Louis Saha having the best chance for United, but firing well over the bar from the edge of the area. However, the talking point of the first half was the battle between Kevin Davies and Patrice Evra. Davies was booked for a late challenge on the full-back, and was given a final warning by referee Mark Clattenburg after what appeared to be an accidental clash of heads. Davies could count himself unfortunate, especially after Evra flattened him in front of the Bolton dug-out and somehow getting away without a booking. Sir Alex Ferguson was unhappy with some of Davies' challenges and had a word with the referee at half-time, but his mouth got him into trouble and the Scot had to watch the second half from the stands. The second half was played in a much similar fashion to the first, with very few chances. The visitors were seeing more of the ball but couldn't find a way through to force the equaliser. Owen Hargreaves forced Jussi Jaaskelainen to tip over his own crossbar with a well-struck free-kick before Carlos Tevez somehow missed from inside the six-yard box, putting his effort wide of Jaaskelainen's far post. Four minutes of stoppage time were added, and the reigning Premier League champions were forcing Bolton to defend deep inside their own half. The visitors won themselves a free-kick in the final minute, but Hargreaves' effort his the roof of the net, allowing the Trotters to pick up the three points. It was the first time since December 1978 that Bolton had beaten Manchester United at home and the first time ever at the Reebok Stadium. The result moves Bolton up to 15th in the Premier League table and their next game sees them host Greek side Aris Thessaloniki on Thursday in the UEFA Cup. |
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