Early goal sinks Newcastle

Bolton 1 Newcastle 0

Newcastle may be advancing in the UEFA Cup but their hopes of claiming a place in the Champions League next season took a setback today.

Manager Sir Bobby Robson was left looking on in a state of disbelief as the team that ripped apart Mallorca could not unlock Bolton.

A goal from Henrik Pedersen gave the home side their first win in five league matches and surely eased any lingering doubts about relegation.

Robson handed a full debut to 18-year-old defender Steven Taylor. He was drafted in at right back because of injuries to both Andy O’Brien and Aaron Hughes.

Taylor was found wanting after four minutes when Pedersen made the breakthrough.

He seemed to be chasing a lost cause down the left when shadowed by Taylor.

Goalkeeper Shay Given had advanced off his line, anticipating the back pass.

But Pedersen persisted and hooked a shot high over Given and into the corner of the net.

Bolton then had claims for a penalty waved away after the ball bounced up and struck Titus Bramble on the arm.

The home side were playing with confidence in a bright start and Jay-Jay Okocha tried a shot from distance that went wide.

Newcastle hit back and Alan Shearer tried an overhead kick that was taken with some difficulty by goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen.

Bellamy squandered a glorious chance of pulling Newcastle level after 22 minutes.

He latched onto a mistake by Emerson Thome and had only Jaaskelainen to beat.

But he somehow managed to steer his effort wide of the post when it seemed easier to score.

Jaaskelainen made a stunning parry from Jonathan Woodgate in the 30th minute then watched in relief as Bramble blazed the rebound over the top.

Newcastle were stepping up the pace and Bellamy rattled in a shot that the Finnish goalkeeper did well to stop.

Bolton hit back and Okocha’s stung Given’s hands with a shot from 25 yards then Nolan tested the goalkeeper.

Former Newcastle central defender Steve Howey lined up against his old pals at the start of the second half after replacing N’Gotty.

Howey was anxious to show what he could do after being on the fringes since arriving from Leicester.

But he was left trailing in Shearer’s wake after 47 minutes, only for the Newcastle striker to fire a shot wide.

Then Bramble tried to place a shot from the edge of the area into the corner but was marginally off target.

Newcastle stepped up the pace and Jaaskelainen tipped over a header from Woodgate following a free kick from Robert.

Ivan Campo should have extended Bolton’s lead in the 56th minute but clipped a volley over the bar from eight yards.

Newcastle were finding it hard to get back on level terms with Thome especially in good form at the back.

Okocha then saw a free kick wide blocked by the wall after Pedersen had been tripped by Bramble on the edge of the area.

This was a good spell of pressure from Bolton and Hunt rattled in a 20-yard shot that Given did well to parry.

The Republic of Ireland goalkeeper made another fine stop from a spectacular overhead kick by Stelios Giannakopoulos.

Shearer and Bellamy were being deprived of service as Bolton locked up the midfield.

The pair combined after 84 minutes only for Bellamy to send a weak cross into the arms of Jaaskelainen.

But Newcastle could not get the equaliser they craved and there must questions marks over their ability to challenge for a Champions League place.