He’s the best, says Sam, as Jussi keeps Bolton in Euro chase

BOLTON manager Sam Allardyce lauded Jussi Jaaskelainen as the number one goalkeeper in the Premiership after his side stepped up their bid for a place in Europe.

Three points against Fulham keeps them in sight of the promised land for the second time in three seasons. Yet the Cottagers almost grabbed the equaliser in stoppage time with a firm close-range header from substitute Tomasz Radzinski.

However, Jaaskelainen stood his ground to turn his effort over the top of the bar.

Allardyce said: “He is the best goalkeeper in the Premiership. That save proved it. His concentration was great and so was his positioning. He had very little to do during the game but when we needed him he was there at such a crucial time. That’s a big victory for us. He has won us the three points.”

Bolton made it hard for themselves, however, after going into a two-goal lead. Zat Knight stretched their nerves and the crowd’s to breaking point by pulling a goal back for Fulham with a clever header.

Gary Speed had opened the scoring from the penalty spot after Michael Brown barged into the back of Nicolas Anelka.

When club captain and England hopeful Kevin Nolan added a second with his third goal in five games, it looked game over.

Allardyce, however, was relieved to get the victory and a boost ahead of the FA Cup replay against Arsenal on Wednesday.

He said: “We are hanging in there. We have got to see the next 11 games out and beat 58 points. That was good enough to take us to the UEFA Cup last time and if we beat that points total who knows where that might take us. Other teams will have to slip up but we have got to be in a position to take advantage.

“We have put pressure on the top teams by taking the three points and are in an exceptionally good position in the table.”

Fulham manager Chris Coleman felt his team had made it difficult for themselves.

He said: “The way we conceded the goals was hard to take. We reacted too slowly. We got ourselves back in it with a great header and gave ourselves half a chance. But it was a tremendous save from Jussi to deny us a point.”

Opta Fact: Fulham have conceded at least two goals in their last eight Premiership away games.

Opta Fact: Bolton’s last four Premiership wins have been by a one-goal margin.

BOLTON: Jaaskelainen, Hunt, Meite, Ben Haim, Gardner, Nolan, Speed (Thompson 68), Teymourian (Tal 81), Giannakopoulos, Anelka, Diouf (Pedersen 86).

FULHAM: Lastuvka, Volz (Radzinski 63), Queudrue, Knight, Christanval, Rosenior, Brown (Smertin 62), Diop, Davies, McBride, Helguson (Montella 67).

Referee: H Webb (S Yorkshire).