Gardner inspires Bolton to victory

2nd November 2008

Ricardo Gardner eased the pressure on under-fire Bolton manager Gary Megson with a goal and an assist to lift his side off the bottom of the Barclays Premier League with a 2-0 win over Manchester City.

The Jamaican international replaced the injured Mustapha Riga shortly before half-time and applied the finishing touch to a wicked low cross from Gretar Steinsson in the 77th minute.

It was the Trotters' first goal for five hours and fifty minutes and Gardner then turned provider by crossing low for City skipper Richard Dunne to put through his own goal with two minutes remaining.

Victory breathed new life into Bolton's faltering campaign and gave the unfashionable Lancashire outfit their first home win since the opening day of the season.

For Megson - who was verbally abused by his own supporters in the two previous matches - the relief was immense and he could not fault his players' effort or desire throughout in a largely forgettable encounter.

A chronic lack of firepower has undermined Bolton's efforts all season but this success was chiselled on obstinate defending, excellent goalkeeping from Jussi Jaaskelainen and Gardner's outstanding personal contribution.

City, for their part, offered precious little and Mark Hughes' men have now just once in six league games and remain as inconsistent as ever.

Robinho showed plenty of glimpses of quality but the Brazilian and his team-mates could find no way past Jaaskelainen, who made at least three saves of the highest quality.