Reality Check - Lost 1 - 0 to Bolton

A wonder strike from Nolan.

It would make any manager's day with a strike like that.

Unlucky to have hit the woodwork so many times and have a goal disallowed for an "outside" that was never there.

Time for video referee please.

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Nolan turns it on against Spurs

Bolton midfielder Kevin Nolan's superb strike saw his club move into third place in the Premiership with a 1-0 win over Tottenham.

The 23-year-old is relishing the responsibility of being named club captain and grabbed the winner with his seventh goal of the season.

It was only Tottenham's second defeat of the campaign and came against opponents who have chalked up five successive wins and five clean sheets.

Bolton, however, set the tempo from the start with Michael Dawson having to look alert, heading away a free-kick from Stelios Giannakopoulos after he had brought down the Greece winger.

Bolton made the breakthrough in the 31st minute with a marvellous strike from Nolan after the ball had been laid back to him by Davies.

Spurs hit back and Defoe found the net two minutes later only for his effort to be ruled out for offside.

Nolan almost added a second for Bolton in the 41st minute, his effort coming back off the post following a neat build-up involving Diouf and Davies.

The visitors were beginning to dictate the pace of the game and Carrick cut inside only to see his effort blocked by midfielder Abdoulaye Faye.

Giannakopoulos was then left clutching his face after being caught by King's boot as they tussled for the ball in the corner.

Davids was trying his best to drag Spurs back into the match but Bolton were again proving difficult to break down.

The home side pushed forward again in the 67th minute but Jaidi's header from a corner by Gary Speed went wide.

Bolton rode their luck in the 84th minute when Speed blocked a bicycle kick from Jenas, then Mido's effort came back off the post.

Jaaskelainen was beaten in stoppage time but Stalteri's effort came back off the top of the bar.

Bolton match-winner Kevin Nolan claimed he was lucky after his stunning strike against Tottenham.

Nolan lifted Bolton to third in the Barclays Premiership with a superb long-range strike, the only goal of the game, at the Reebok Stadium.

Nolan told Sky Sports: 'We were lucky with the goal but we stuck in there and dug deep.
'Thankfully it went in! We knew Tottenham were going to be tough opposition, they have been brilliant throughout the season.'

Skipper Gary Speed was also quick to praise the 23-year-old midfielder.

Speed said: 'He is on fire and the lads keep working hard.

'It was a very close game. I think we can still improve when we have got the ball but we have got that grit and determination and never-say-die attitude.'

Bolton boss Sam Allardyce admitted his side had enjoyed the rub of the green.
Spurs striker Jermain Defoe had a goal ruled out for offside and the visitors twice hit the woodwork in the closing stages.

Allardyce told Sky Sports: 'A little good fortune is always needed.

'After a terrific goal we had a few let-offs. Defoe was definitely onside.

'There was a hopeful cross that hit the bar, that could have slipped in.

'They threw everything at us and we had to defend correctly.'

Spurs boss Martin Jol was disappointed the visitors could not at least claim a draw.

Jol said: 'We deserved something out of this game. We did everything right.

'A draw I could have lived with but not a defeat like this. I am satisfied with the boys but we should have had a draw.'