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MEGSON DELIGHTED WITH VICTORY - Saturday 3rd May 2008
Bolton boss Gary Megson admitted his side are in a strong position after their 2-0 victory over Sunderland.
Wanderers sit three points above the relegation zone with one game to go, with a much superior goal difference to that of chasing Fulham and Reading.
El-Hadji Diouf's sixth goal of the season gave Bolton the lead, before Daryl Murphy's second half own goal handed the Trotters a crucial three points.
With the game kicking off later than their relegation rivals, Megson admitted it was a bonus knowing Reading and Birmingham had lost.
"We knew the scores as they were coming in but they didn't make a difference to what we were trying to actually achieve," Megson told Sky Sports.
"The consequence of getting the three points very much made the difference.
"The players knew they needed to perform today because we're going to Chelsea next week.
"It's four years since they lost at home isn't it? So we knew when we kicked off that if we could get a result it would put an awful amount of onus on the other teams, but we still had to get the actual win.
"Now we are three points above the relegation zone and in a great position to stay up."
El-Hadji Diouf, scorer of the opening goal, looks certain to leave the club in the summer and Megson praised the forward after his performance.
"I spoke to Diouf on Monday and told him he would be playing," said Megson.
"Three weeks ago he made the announcement that he might not remain a Bolton player regardless of whether we stay up or went down.
"I told him that this could possibly be his last home game and that he needed to perform and leave on a good note, which he has done."
Bolton boss Gary Megson admitted his side are in a strong position after their 2-0 victory over Sunderland.
Wanderers sit three points above the relegation zone with one game to go, with a much superior goal difference to that of chasing Fulham and Reading.
El-Hadji Diouf's sixth goal of the season gave Bolton the lead, before Daryl Murphy's second half own goal handed the Trotters a crucial three points.
With the game kicking off later than their relegation rivals, Megson admitted it was a bonus knowing Reading and Birmingham had lost.
"We knew the scores as they were coming in but they didn't make a difference to what we were trying to actually achieve," Megson told Sky Sports.
"The consequence of getting the three points very much made the difference.
"The players knew they needed to perform today because we're going to Chelsea next week.
"It's four years since they lost at home isn't it? So we knew when we kicked off that if we could get a result it would put an awful amount of onus on the other teams, but we still had to get the actual win.
"Now we are three points above the relegation zone and in a great position to stay up."
El-Hadji Diouf, scorer of the opening goal, looks certain to leave the club in the summer and Megson praised the forward after his performance.
"I spoke to Diouf on Monday and told him he would be playing," said Megson.
"Three weeks ago he made the announcement that he might not remain a Bolton player regardless of whether we stay up or went down.
"I told him that this could possibly be his last home game and that he needed to perform and leave on a good note, which he has done."