Stelios Giannakopoulos turned up for training with Bolton in the summer a hero in his native Greece after they had won the European Championship.

In the final game of the season he emphasised his worth to his club as well as his country by scoring the winner in this enthralling contest.

A goal down and a man down going into the second half, Bolton staged a rousing comeback to secure the points.

With his side going into the UEFA Cup for the first time next season this was just the result manager Sam Allardyce needed.

Bolton had to dig deep, though, as Everton opened the scoring after eight minutes following a cross from Lee Carsley.

Goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen was left floundering and Tim Cahill took advantage to make it 1-0 with an instinctive overhead kick from close range.

Bolton, though, were grateful to Jaaskelainen a minute later when he reacted superbly to turn away Kevin Kilbane's effort.

It was an open game between two sides bound for Europe next season against the odds.

Cahill mopped up at the back in the 11th minute to clear a header from Kevin Davies after a cross from El-Hadji Diouf.

Then Cahill sent James McFadden scurrying clear with a delightful ball only for Jaaskelainen to parry his shot.

Diouf picked up a needless yellow card after 16 minutes for kicking the ball away after being denied a corner.

Everton were playing with renewed confidence following that 7-0 hammering by Arsenal with Cahill, Kilbane and McFadden looking capable of carving open Bolton's defence.

Gary Speed cleared the bar in the 25th minute after Bruno N'Gotty's long free-kick had only been partially cleared.

Senegal international Diouf made space in the area after 32 minutes only for Richard Wright to take his header comfortably.

Diouf, on loan from Liverpool, was coming more into the game and a minute later saw his close-range effort blocked by the Everton goalkeeper.

Tal Ben Haim, who had switched to right back from central defence then tried to pick out Diouf at the back post but Wright was alert to the danger and made the save.

Play switched down the other end and Jaidi made a timely challenge on Cahill inside the area with Ferguson lurking dangerously.

Giannakopoulos almost pulled the home side level in the 42nd minute but the ball got stuck under his feet and Wright got down quickly to smother his effort.

The match took a dramatic turn a minute before half-time when Bolton defender Bruno N'Gotty was sent off.

N'Gotty clipped Cahill around the back of the head. Referee Neale Barry missed the incident but dismissed the Frenchman after being alerted by his assistant. Cahill was handed a yellow card.

Bolton set their stall out at the beginning of the second half and captain Jay Jay Okocha burst into life after 47 minute when he got on the end of a ball from Giannakopoulos.

The Nigerian playmaker showed good skill to get away from Carsley only to drag his shot from 20 yards wide of the post.

Okocha then repeated that trick three minutes later but again failed to test Everton goalkeeper Wright.

Ten-man Bolton drew level in the 54th minute with Fernando Hierro playing a part in the final game of his career.

He delivered a superb free-kick into the area from the left and Radhi Jaidi marked his return to the side by sending a firm header beyond Wright.

It was game on and Bolton, despite being down on numbers, looked to be holding the advantage.

Diouf then took a cross from Davies in his stride but his ambitious header from distance cleared the bar.

Bolton edged ahead in the 61st minute when Giannakopoulos's effort was blocked and the ball broke to Kevin Davies.

He fired in the rebound and it took a deflection off David Weir, leaving Wright wrong-footed.

The lead lasted only two minutes, however, with Lee Carsley bringing the teams level at 2-2 after he had been released by Duncan Ferguson.

There was more drama to come in the 66th minute when Bolton regained the lead with Giannakopoulos scoring from close range after a header from Davies had been blocked.

Hierro came off in the 68th minute to extraordinary scenes. The 37-year-old was embraced by his team-mates while receiving a rousing reception from the home supporters.

Carsley was stretchered off in the 86th minute leaving Everton with 10 men as well as they had used all three substitutes.

With a Champions League spot secured the visitors could have afforded to relax. But they kept pushing forward in a vain attempt to secure a point.

Teams

Bolton Jaaskelainen, Ben Haim, Jaidi, N'Gotty, Gardner, Okocha, Hierro (Candela 67), Speed, Giannakopoulos (Nolan 68), Davies, Diouf (O'Brien 82).

Subs Not Used: Poole, Vaz Te.

Sent Off: N'Gotty (45).

Booked: Diouf, Davies.

Goals: Jaidi 53, Davies 61, Giannakopoulos 66.

Everton Wright, Hibbert (Vaughan 80), Yobo, Weir, Watson, Carsley, McFadden, Cahill (Osman 59), Arteta (Stubbs 71), Kilbane, Ferguson.

Subs Not Used: Pistone, Martyn.

Booked: Cahill.

Goals: Cahill 9, Carsley 63.

Att: 27,701

Ref: N Barry (N Lincolnshire).