Everton have recorded a welcome 2-1 away win against a battling Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium, thanks to a dramatic late winner from Joleon Lescott.
Debutant Aiyegbeni Yakubu opened the scoring early on, before Nicolas Anelka equalised for the Trotters.
The first half was full of free-flowing, end to end football as both sides fought to exercise a physical presence in the game. The first goal came after chances fell for both sides, when Jagielka won the ball deep in the Everton half, unleashing Steven Pienaar - starting for the first time in an Everton shirt - who threaded the ball through for Andrew Johnson to slide rule a simple tap-in for Yakubu to open his goalscoring account for the Toffees.
Everton kept their narrow lead into the second half, where Bolton enjoyed large periods of possession as they sought an equaliser in front of their fans. Nicolas Anelka duly obliged with an excellently taken goal from 8-yards out, following a weak headed clearance from an El-Hadji Diouf cross.
It looked as if the game was simpering out to a draw, before substitute Thomas Gravesen assumed the corner duty in the 89th minute from a lacklustre Mikel Arteta, to whip in a dangerous cross for Joleon Lescott to climb above two defenders to power past the helpless Jaaskelainen in the Wanderers goal.
Everton held on to the lead despite late Bolton pressure to record an impressive away win.
Everton Man of the Match: Leighton Baines: Enjoyed an impressive, energetic performance at left back, breaking forward at every opportunity without neglecting his defensive duties. Overall, Bolton centre-half Abdoulaye Meite was fantastic for his side, keeping Yakubu silent for the majority of the game with an all-powerful performance.
Agree?/Disagree? Vote for your 'Man Of The Match' here.
Debutant Aiyegbeni Yakubu opened the scoring early on, before Nicolas Anelka equalised for the Trotters.
The first half was full of free-flowing, end to end football as both sides fought to exercise a physical presence in the game. The first goal came after chances fell for both sides, when Jagielka won the ball deep in the Everton half, unleashing Steven Pienaar - starting for the first time in an Everton shirt - who threaded the ball through for Andrew Johnson to slide rule a simple tap-in for Yakubu to open his goalscoring account for the Toffees.
Everton kept their narrow lead into the second half, where Bolton enjoyed large periods of possession as they sought an equaliser in front of their fans. Nicolas Anelka duly obliged with an excellently taken goal from 8-yards out, following a weak headed clearance from an El-Hadji Diouf cross.
It looked as if the game was simpering out to a draw, before substitute Thomas Gravesen assumed the corner duty in the 89th minute from a lacklustre Mikel Arteta, to whip in a dangerous cross for Joleon Lescott to climb above two defenders to power past the helpless Jaaskelainen in the Wanderers goal.
Everton held on to the lead despite late Bolton pressure to record an impressive away win.
Everton Man of the Match: Leighton Baines: Enjoyed an impressive, energetic performance at left back, breaking forward at every opportunity without neglecting his defensive duties. Overall, Bolton centre-half Abdoulaye Meite was fantastic for his side, keeping Yakubu silent for the majority of the game with an all-powerful performance.
Agree?/Disagree? Vote for your 'Man Of The Match' here.
