Not something you\'ll see often, Bolton Wanderers are top of the table!
Starting Lineups
Bolton Wanderers: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Cahill, Knight, Robinson, Eagles, Muamba, Reo-Coker, Petrov, K Davies, Klasnic
Queens Park Rangers: Kenny, Hill, Derry, Hall, Gabbidon, Taarabt, Dyer, Campbell, Bothroyd, Faurlin, Smith
Match Summary
The new season for Bolton Wanderers started at Loftus Road as the Wanderers faced QPR at the start of the new campaign. Bolton needed the full three points from this match to not only end the losing streak that ended the 2010/2011 season but also to gain some confidence before facing the onslaught of Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United in quick succession. Owen Coyle handed Bolton debuts to Nigel Reo-Coker and Chris Eagles to start the season.
QPR began their offensive early where just after the one minute mark, Adel Taraabt played a ball into the center of the box that made its way to DJ Campbell (who gave the Wanderers plenty of trouble while at Blackpool) who put it into the back of the net. Luckily, he was very clearly offside. QPR then had another chance 14 minutes into proceedings where the first chance was picked out by Steinsson. His half clearance wasn't good enough and Bothroyd fired one on target that surely would have gone in had it not been for Gretar's head getting in the way.
Goal! Gary Cahill - 45'+2
Then, two minutes into first half stoppage time, something out of nothing from Gary Cahill. A phenomenal strike, hands down one of the best you’ll see from a center back put the Trotters up 1-0. Chris Eagles had control off the ball on the wing and did well to find Gary Cahill alone at the top of the box. With acres of space, Gaz put it on his right foot. The ball was always curling away as a helpless Paddy Kenny dove with despair but couldn’t do a thing as the ball found the top corner at the far post.
Just like that, 2-0 to the mighty Bolton Wanderers.Kevin Davies won a free kick at the edge of the box. Chris Eagles stood over the ball and called Martin Petrov over to hold the ball in place for him. Eagles shot deflected off of the edge of the wall and ran past everyone in the box. Well, almost everyone. Danny Gabbidon managed to get a foot on it to find the back of his own net.
Ivan Klasnic decided to join the party next as he got hold of the ball in the box. With Petrov alone to his left, Klasnic decided to take the shot himself. The ball deflected just enough off of Orr to go over the helpless Paddy Kenny to make it 3-0.
And then there were four as Fabrice Muamba made his presence known. Good control from Ivan Klasnic in the box saw him provide a great ball dead center. Fab’s brilliant run put him into space and he fired the ball past the keeper for a scoreline of 4-0.
What looked a bleak showing until Gary Cahill’s opening stunner quickly turned into delight as the Bolton Wanderers side that came out in the second half was brimming with confidence and oozing class. The best start to the season in a while and with our league losing streak broken while Bolton temporarily sit top of the table, Trotters fans have much to be happy about.
Queens Park Rangers v Bolton Wanderers by prestinosk
Scoring Summary
Bolton Wanderers
Gary Cahill - 45'+2
Danny Gabbidon (OG) - 67'
Ivan Klasnic - 70'
Fabrice Muamba - 79'