Monday, October 26, 2009
EVERTON found themselves floored by a medical miracle at the Reebok stadium, as Ivan Klasnic ensured Bolton manager Gary Megson celebrated his second anniversary in the most dramatic circumstances.
Klasnic struck in the 86th minute to settle a thriller which had seen Bolton surge into a two-goal lead only to be pegged back by a determined Everton side.
The victory helped Bolton leapfrog Everton in the table on goal difference but the real story revolved around Klasnic.
The Croatian striker, who has joined Bolton on loan from Nantes, has defied medics to continue his career despite having two kidney transplants from his parents.
He joined the action as a second-half replacement for Ricardo Gardner but was promptly flattened by a challenge from Lucas Neill. Television replays showed him to be out cold for more than 10 seconds, but he picked himself up to drive home the decisive goal moments later after Neill had failed to deal with a long punt upfield from Jussi Jaaskelainen.
It was a fitting end to a thoroughly entertaining contest. Goals from Chung-Yong Lee and Gary Cahill had put the hosts in total control, only for David Moyes’s side to restore parity thanks to Louis Saha and Marouane Fellaini, before Klasnic had the final say.
"I think the blow he got looked worse than it was," Megson said. "The referee called for the doctor at first, but he was fine afterwards, as right as rain. I don’t think there’s anyone else playing the game who has been through what he has. He’s a good player. He never mentions it and just gets on with things and wants to be treated like everyone else.
"You’ve seen the good and bad of us today. We should have been two up before we scored. But it’s a great result for us in the end. We just need to learn when to slow the game down a bit."
Moyes faced horrendous injury problems, with 10 regulars sidelined. He made three changes in the wake of the chastening defeat at Benfica in midweek, recalling both John Heitinga and Louis Saha as well as handing a Premier League debut to Lucas Neill.
On paper Everton still looked strong throughout, yet one glance at the inexperience on the bench highlighted the alarming issues facing Moyes.
These grew significantly worse within 16 minutes, when Bolton’s bright start was rewarded with a goal. Sam Ricketts was the creator, charging down the right flank before pulling back a neat cross which evaded Ricardo Gardner but fell perfectly for Lee, who dispatched his shot beyond the helpless Tim Howard.
It was no more than Bolton deserved. Both Tamir Cohen and Kevin Davies had come agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock with headers prior to Lee’s second goal of the season, while Everton’s mood was best personified by Saha, who mis-kicked completely with the goal at his mercy. Jo landed a centre on the crossbar in the 23rd minute but Megson’s team looked comfortable.
Moyes took out his frustration on the fourth official, earning him a ticking off from referee Phil Dowd.
His mood darkened further moments later when Bolton doubled their advantage with ease, Cahill jumping above the heavy-legged Sylvain Distin to head past Howard and register his third goal of the season.
Just as Everton appeared to be sinking fast, however, Saha provided them with a spark by drilling a stunning effort past Jussi Jaaskelainen. Fellaini equalised 10 minutes into the second half only for Klasnic to pounce near the end.
Everton have now gone four games without a victory to lurch down the table.
"It looked as if we’d got back into the game and I thought we deserved to," Moyes said. "We did enough to get level again and looked like going on to win the game but we ran out of steam. But we can’t use this is an excuse because we shouldn’t have found ourselves two goals down in the first place."
REFEREE: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire) 7: Had little controversy to deal with but handled the game in a calm and assured manner and always tried to let it flow whenever possible.
MATCH RATING: **** Gripping stuff from start to finish.
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