Heroic Hierro bows out a Bolton winner

Bolton 3 Everton 2

Hierro, the former Spain and Real Madrid star, had a hand in the goal that sparked a marvellous fightback and prompted a victory against Everton.

In extraordinary scenes, Hierro, 37, was embraced by his team-mates and given a rousing reception by the supporters, when he came off at the Reebok Stadium in the second half.

Allardyce said: “I wish Fernando all the best in the future. He has been immense in the back half of the season and even at 37 he is still one of the best in the world at what he has done. Very few can match him and I am disappointed he has decided not to carry on.”

Bolton fought back after being a man down and a goal down at half-time. Defender Bruno N’Gotty was sent off by referee Neale Barry after clipping the back of the head of Tim Cahill, who had opened the scoring for Everton.

While Allardyce had no quarrel about the decision to dismiss the Frenchman, he was angered Cahill had stayed on the pitch.

Instead he was handed a yellow card and the Bolton boss said: “He should have been sent down the tunnel as he threw the first one. The only disappointing part of the day was that Bruno was sent off. The rest of it was just what I wanted - a victory on the final day of the season.”

Radhi Jaidi equalised for 10-man Bolton following a deep free-kick from Hierro and Kevin Davies then edged them ahead, his effort taking a deflection off David Weir.

Everton may have gone into the game comforted in the knowledge they had already secured a Champions League place.

But on the back of a 7-0 hammering by Arsenal they refused to lie down and Lee Carsley, later stretchered off with a medial ligament damage, pulled them level.

However Stelios Giannakopoulos had the last word, forcing the ball home from close range to give Bolton, who will compete in the UEFA Cup next season, the victory they craved.

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

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

Referee: N Barry (N Lincolnshire).