Gary Megson’s Bolton Wanderers were saved by a Kevin Davies goal as they beat West Ham United 1-0 at the Reebok. Davies’ goal came just after the break, and was the 100th goal of his career. Unfortunately, Davies also earned a booking for unsporting behaviour in the second half, which means Bolton will have to do with his services for a while as they fight to stay afloat in the Premiership.
A hundred odd Bolton fans started the afternoon with boards demanding the dismissal of the board. Prior to this game, Bolton had not won in eight league games. West Ham had their share of problems too- with Anton Ferdinand joining their already burgeoning injury list. The Hammers have not performed well at the Reebok in the past, and with a makeshift side, it was always going to be more difficult. Bolton dominated the first half while West Ham looked listless. The goal came from a set piece, with Jonathan Spector guilty of impeding Green and allowing Davies to put the ball into the back of the net.
Reading lost 0-2 to Fulham, while Birmingham drew 1-1 with Everton. Wigan did not play on Saturday, and the bottom half table at the end of the night looks like this
16.) Reading on 32 points
17.) Birmingham on 31 points
18.) Bolton on 29 points
19.) Fulham on 27 points.
Wigan are 15th with 34, but like I said before, they have a game in hand.
Intense four way battle for survival. Had Reading won, they would have managed to remove themselves out of the relegation dogfight.