Bolton and West Ham shared the spoils in a tale of two Welshmen at the Reebok
Stadium today.
Wanderers striker and Wales international Nathan Blake notched a last-gasp
equaliser through Trevor Sinclair's 65th-minute opener with just four minutes
remaining.
But the Hammers had already seen their own Welsh frontman John Hartson
dismissed for a 56th-minute strike on Bolton's Danish midfielder Per Frandsen.
The 19-goal striker had appeared to be the East Londoners' greatest threat to
Bolton. But Harry Redknapp's team had to console themselves with a draw and
Wanderers fans were again disappointed after their side failed to gain three
points for the tenth Premiership game in succession.
Sinclair broke the deadlock 20 minutes after the break when he received a
lovely Eyal Berkovic pass before slotting coolly past Keith Branagan.
But after Bolton boss Colin Todd made a 74th-minute switch replacing defender
Chris Fairclough with Icelander Arnar Gunnlaugsson it was the substitute who
came good four minutes from time when he crossed for Blake to head his 11th goal
of the season powerfully past Craig Forrest.
The opening 15 minutes of the first half flattered the remaining half hour.
Holdsworth believed he had opened the scoring after 90 seconds after some
great play by Frandsen. But referee Paul Alcock whistled for offside after
originally allowing play to go on after a poor challenge on Jamie Pollock.
But the Hammers were spurred into action two minutes later. A Berkovic
free-kick was headed down by Hartson but Sinclair could only volley over.
An eleventh minute Alan Thompson corner was flicked on by Pollock at the near
post, but Blake could only direct his header into the side-netting.
After that the game fell flat and became bogged down in the middle of the park
as both defences held firm.
But in the 28th minute Hammers keeper Craig Forrest was quick off his line to
fist Thompson's free-kick off the head of the incoming Holdsworth.
The former Wimbledon striker was desperate to score after just returning for
his first start since December 6.
Just a minute later the £3.5m man could have secured only his second strike of
the season but the long legs of Rio Ferdinand intercepted Frandsen's excellent
through-ball which would have left the striker clean on goal.
Three minutes from the break Hartson launched his first real threat but he
could only watch as his powerful effort from the edge of the area was deflected
wide.
With seconds of the half remaining Stan Lazaridis attempted a carbon copy of
the 25-yard scorcher against Newcastle a fortnight ago. But this time his
sights were significantly less focused and the ball flew harmlessly wide.
Six minutes into the second period Hartson again threatened from a Frank
Lampard corner. But the presence of Bolton captain Gudni Bergsson was enough to
put the 22-year-old off his stride and his header flew wide.
Then in the 56th minute Hartson's threat was snuffed out completely. Both he
and Frandsen waited for a Bolton goalkick and the Danish midfielder appeared to
back into the Welshman. Hartson reacted badly and appeared to strike Frandsen on
the back of the head. Match official Mr Alcock had no hesitation in dismissing
the forward.
Bolton supporters sensed their first victory since the start of December but
their thoughts came crashing down around them when Sinclair picked up Berkovic's
through-ball in the 65th minute to fire home the West Ham opener.
In the 70th minute Wanderers should have equalised but were denied by a comedy
of errors. Michael Johansen crossed but Thompson miskicked completely from just
five yards out and the clearly shocked Holdsworth could only watch as the ball
rolled past him.
But with just four minutes remaining Bolton gained the equaliser their
previous endeavours had deserved.
Icelandic substitute Gunnlaugsson crossed from the left and Blake rose above
Hammers' captain for the day David Unsworth to powerfully head home his 11th
goal of the season.
Teams
Bolton: Branagan, Cox, Thompson, Todd,
Fairclough (Gunnlaugsson 74), Bergsson, Pollock, Johansen,
Frandsen, Blake, Holdsworth.
Subs Not Used: Ward, Sheridan, Phillips, Taylor.
Goals: Blake 86.
West Ham: Forrest, Unsworth, Pearce, Ferdinand, Lampard, Moncur,
Berkovic, Lazaridis, Impey, Hartson, Sinclair.
Subs Not Used: Lama, Bishop, Potts, Hodges, Mean.
Sent Off: Hartson (56).
Goals: Sinclair 65.
Att: 25,000
Ref: P E Alcock (Redhill).
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