Bolton survived the disastrous 26th-minute dismissal of captain Gudni Bergsson
to earn another precious three points against Leicester at the Reebok Stadium
today.
Alan Thompson's 53rd and 89th-minute goals secured Wanderers' sixth league win
of the season.
But the victory was earned only after Leicester midfielder Robert Ullathorne
had followed Bergsson to the dressing room in the 41st minute for lashing out at
Danish midfielder Per Frandsen in an ugly first period.
The Lancashire strugglers can be grateful to goalkeeper Keith Branagan, who
kept out Matt Elliott's 66th-minute header with an outstanding save.
The 2-0 defeat leaves City's dream of a second successive UEFA Cup place in
tatters because they were crashing to their third defeat on the run.
The first half had been a hugely disappointing affair for football fans - and
only the two dismissals provided any talking points.
Just a poor 11th-minute Dean Holdsworth strike wide of goal had enlivened the
home crowd before their captain received his marching orders 15 minutes later.
Garry Parker played a great ball to the feet of Emile Heskey, but as the big
England Under-21 striker tussled with Bergsson en route to goal the Icelandic
international defender appeared to hurl his opponent to the ground - and referee
Uriah Rennie had no hesitation in brandishing the red card.
In the 30th minute, Neil Lennon was stretchered off after a bad challenge by
Thompson for which the Bolton midfielder received a caution.
Both Theo Zagorakis and Branagan needed attention on the pitch after
challenges by Frandsen and Heskey respectively.
Lennon returned to the field in the 38th minute, but just three minutes later
Leicester were down to 10 men when Ullathorne aimed a punch at Thompson. Referee
Rennie grabbed hold of the former Norwich man and immediately confined him to
the dressing room.
In injury time, Branagan reminded the crowd that football had been due to take
place when he reached low to push away Zagorakis' glancing header from a Rob
Savage cross.
Both sides cooled down for the start of the second half, and the dismissal on
each side brought spaces all over the field.
Six minutes after the break, Heskey should have taken advantage when he headed
over with no Bolton defender in sight from Parker's cross.
Then in the 53rd minute Bolton broke the deadlock when Geordie midfielder
Thompson found space on the edge of the area. He curled a delightful shot with
the outside of his left boot around Kasey Keller for his seventh goal of the
season.
Leicester dominated possession and in the 66th minute should have equalised.
Phillips earned a caution for a poor challenge on Savage; Steve Guppy whipped
over the free-kick, and Elliott rose above the Bolton defence to head
goalwards.
But Branagan switched direction in mid-air to flick away the ball from under
his own crossbar and clear the danger.
Then, though, after enduring a final nerve-wracking Leicester push, Thompson
sealed the points for the home side.
Substitute Michael Johansen played the ball to midfielder Sheridan, who sent
Thompson clear in the Foxes' penalty area to fire past Keller's right hand.
Teams
Bolton: Branagan, Cox, Fish, Thompson, Phillips, Bergsson,
Sheridan, Todd, Frandsen, Taylor, Holdsworth (Salako 37),
Salako (Johansen 84).
Subs Not Used: Ward, Fairclough, Giallanza.
Sent Off: Bergsson (26).
Booked: Thompson, Todd, Phillips.
Goals: Thompson 52, 89.
Leicester: Keller, Kaamark, Ullathorne, Prior, Elliott, Parker,
Lennon (Fenton 75), Zagorakis (Wilson 62), Savage, Guppy, Heskey.
Subs Not Used: Arphexad, Cottee, Watts.
Sent Off: Ullathorne (41).
Booked: Zagorakis.
Att: 25,000
Ref: U D Rennie (Sheffield).
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