The loss to Sunderland last weekend wasn’t the toughest pill to swallow. It was always going to be tough to get a result. The match against West Brom would be no different. Another team in surprising form, they sit in 11th place (and are the only team whose name starts with a W that aren’t in the drop zone). Where the Baggies started the season off so brightly, they’ve begun to fade with losses in 5 of their last 8. On West Brom’s last four trips to the Reebok, they have come away with a draw on three occasions.
Bolton have to bounce back after last weekend’s loss. The Mighty Whites have lost just four times this season and sat in 7th place at the start of the day. If results were to go Bolton’s way, the Wanderers could see themselves back in 5th place (Tottenham would have a game in hand). The Whites are a team already flying high on confidence but three points against the Baggies would be the perfect way to head into Wednesday’s matchup with Chelsea. Right, enough talk of that for now, on to the West Brom match.
Bolton’s passing was strong throughout the first half. The balls played on the ground were absolutely carving through the West Brom defense. Peter Odemwingie came close in the 21st minute but the breakthrough was to be Bolton’s. A brilliant run from Lee Chung-Yong in the 40th minute drew Scott Carson out of goal. Chungy held the ball on the line touchline just wide of goal for just a second before passing it to Matty Taylor, making the run into the box. A cool finish from Taylor slotted it home and the Whites were up 1-0 at the half!
The Whites put the match away in the 86th minute on Johan Elmander’s 9th goal of the season. The forward made a run towards goal and after an attempt to be unselfish, the ball bounced back to his feet. The forward put it between Scott Carson and the near post to take Bolton to 5th place in the table. This is the Bolton we’ve come to know and love this season.