London: Kevin Davies struck twice to gain a point for Bolton Wanderers as Sunderland looked to have won all three points at the Stadium of Light until the 35-year-old's close range header settled the game. Bolton took the lead on 26 minutes as Davies slotted in Martin Petrov's cross at the fair post. NicklasBendtner levelled for the home side when he guided the ball past Adam Bogdan from a through ball by Jack Colback.
The second-half saw James McClean strike a fantastic free-kick past Bogdan to put the Black Cats ahead. While Sunderland looked to finish the game off, Davies popped up again to meet a pinpoint cross with a close range header that saw both sides share the points. For Bolton the result still leaves them in the drop zone in 18th which might not be enough to see them escape relegation.
For Sunderland key players Sebastian Larsson and Kieran Richardson are out for the remainder of the season. Craig Gardner is suspended for the Black Cats while keeper Craig Gordon makes his first appearance of the season returning from injury. It seemed for Bolton that Mark Davies and Chris Eagles would be a doubt but both where in the starting line-up for the Trotters. Ryo Miyaichi was dropped to the bench and replaced with Kevin Davies.
In the opening 20 minutes Sunderland failed to get a grip on the game as Bolton controlled the game and looked the more dangerous side going forward. Early pressure from Bolton resulted in a free kick where Eagles saw hisstrike go well wide.
Mark Davies then forced an easy save from Craig Gordon as he found space between the Sunderland defence but scuffed his shot.
Davies again was through on goal in the penalty area but it was ruled offside by the linesman. Replays show though that he was onside and a great chance for Bolton was denied by the officials. Bolton continued to apply pressure to Sunderland’s defence asPetrovcrossed a great ball from the left into the box only to see David Ngog head it over.
The Trotters had looked dangerous from the left side of the pitch in the first-half and the warning signs were there for Sunderland. On 26 minutes Bolton scored to make it 1-0.Petrovcrossed the ball to the back post where Kevin Davies was waiting to strike it past Gordon.
While Bolton continued to control the game it all changed on 36 minutes. Sunderland scoredto make it 1-1 as Colbackdrove forward down the pitch and placed a lovely through ball into Bendtnerwho slotted it past Bogdan. The game became more open after the home side's equaliser as both teams could have taken the lead. Fraizer Campbell found John O'Shea down the right and his shot looked to creep towards the goal only to see Tim Ream clear off the line.
Bolton finished the half as they started. They created a good chance as Mark Davies crossed the ball to the back post where an effort from Kevin Davies fell to Ngog who saw his shot tipped over the bar by Gordon. Both teams struggled in the opening of the second-half to control the game.
Kevin Davies fouled StephaneSessegnonand from the resulting free-kickMcClean curled the ball over the wall that left Bogdan with no chance as it flew into the top corner to give Sunderland the lead. Bolton boss Owen Coyle decided to make a double change on the 64minutes to get his side back in the game as Ngog and Chris Eagles came off for Ivan klasnic and Miyaichi.
As Sunderland looked to take control of the game and grab a third Bolton equalised with a great header from Kevin Daviesfor his second goal of the game. Sam Rickett’s cross was met by Davies who headed it past Gordon from close range to make it 2-2.
Bolton came to life after the equaliser as the visitors looked to push on and grab all three points. As both teams went on to find a winner no one could come up with an answer and the game finished 2-2 as Bolton will either see this as a point gained or two points lose.
Comments
0 comment