goal.com
Chung-Yong Lee's strike in the 34th minute came via the crossbar and it could have been more had Bolton not missed numerous chances in the second half.
Owen Coyle came into this game against his old club still looking for his first league win as Bolton manager. His side, buoyed after overcoming Sheffield United in the FA Cup at the weekend, showed their new found confidence as Bolton pressed the visitors from the off. Kevin Davies especially, causing all sorts of problems for Clarke Carlisle and Tyrone Mears in the Clarets defence.
Unfortunately for Brian Laws, he was forced into two changes in the opening 15 minutes. Both Graham Alexander and fellow midfielder Chris McCann limped off with knee problems. Laws did show his attacking intent though, responding with a positive substitution, replacing defensive midfielder Graham Alexander with striker Martin Paterson.
The first clear chance of the match went to the home side. Seconds after Burnley had made their substitutions, Davies threaded an inch perfect ball to Fabrice Muamba. With just Brian Jensen to beat Muamba had the goal at his mercy, but the midfielder couldn’t find the target and fired over the bar.
Gary Cahill also went close for Bolton soon after. Matt Taylor swung in a superb corner and the former Aston Villa defender leapt well, but his header went inches wide of the post.
Burnley were having most of the play but were struggling to create any opportunites. Midway through the first half though they should have taken the lead.
Steven Fletcher’s low shot was well saved by Jussi Jaaskelainen and the rebound fell at the feet of Chris Eagles, and with the goal gaping Eagles spooned his effort over the top of the bar.
Eagles and Burnley were made to pay for that miss as Bolton took the lead on 34 minutes. Davies, at the heart of Bolton’s attacking play, clipped a ball through to Chung-Yong Lee who smashed his shot in via the crossbar to the delight of the home crowd.
Burnley finished a scrappy first half the better of the two sides but the half ended with the home side going in a goal to the good, silencing the ‘Judas’ chants from the Burnley fans directed at former manager Coyle.
Bolton, who started the first half the brightest were again on the front foot again at the start of the second, and were a post width’s away from extending their lead in the 53rd minute.
Goal scorer Lee found Matt Taylor in the box, and Taylor improvised with a cute flick and most of the crowd thought it was in, but his effort struck the post via the shin of a Burnley defender.
Although general play was fairly even, Bolton were the only side creating clear chances. Ricketts was causing havoc with constant long throws into the Burnley area and Tamir Cohen attacked the ball superbly but planted his header wide from eight yards out.
Burnley who were lucky to only be a goal down, could count themselves extremely lucky not to be a man down. Elliott, who had already been booked was high and late on Cohen and somehow referee Martin Atkinson missed the challenge and Elliott escaped unpunished.
Bolton were really bossing play now and fluffed yet another chance. Davies who usually meets crosses at the Reebok whipped in a great ball but substitute Johan Elmander couldn’t hit the target with his header.
Burnley were all over the place and didn't look like breaking their scoring duck under new manager Brian Laws. Laws had Jensen to thank for keeping his side in the game when the Danish goalkeeper superbly saved a low drive from Ricardo Gardner.
As the game drifted into stoppage time Burnley resorted to route one football but Bolton's defence held on to claim a deserved three points and give Owen Coyle his first win as Bolton manager against his old club.
Source: goal.com
