Stelios strike gives Bolton vital win as Anelka eyes exit

BOLTON got off to a winning start in 2008 in what could be Nicolas Anelka’s last match for the club.

After admitting he would love a move to Chelsea, yesterday, the Frenchman played his part in a victory that could be so important come the end of the season.

Bolton managed only eight victories in 37 Premier League games, so there was something to celebrate at the Reebok Stadium last night thanks to a stoppage-time winner from Stelios Giannakopoulos in front of 17,014 fans, the club’s lowest ever crowd for a top flight game at the stadium.

Derby bossed the first half in terms of chances created but were left cursing their luck.

They almost took the lead in the fourth minute when Jay McEveley released Craig Fagan. He raced on and drilled a 20-yard shot that goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen did well to parry.

Anelka sprung into life in the 33rd minute when Diouf played the ball down the line. The France forward delivered it into the area but Nolan was unable to get any direction on his volley. Derby were again left cursing their luck when Johnson’s effort from the edge of the area beat Jaaskelainen but came back off the bar.

In the second half Bolton hit back. Diouf delivered a free-kick to the back post in the 57th minute and Andy O’Brien peeled away from his marker but sent his effort wide.

Danny Guthrie should have put them ahead in the 65th minute but skied his shot from close range.

Diouf did find the net a minute later after being released by Anelka, only to be ruled offside. The pressure was building and Price did well to push a shot from Anelka onto the bar.

Nolan was guilty of one of the misses of the season in the 80th minute. He was three yards out when Anelka played the ball in but somehow sent his effort high over the bar.

Bolton grabbed the winner in stoppage time when substitute Stelios latched on to a long clearance from Jaaskelainen. He chipped the ball over Price and headed into an empty net to leave Derby stunned.

BOLTON: Jaaskelainen, Joey O’Brien, Meite, Andrew O’Brien, Gardner, Davies (Wilhelmsson 46), Nolan (Giannakopoulos 82), Campo, Guthrie, Diouf, Anelka.

DERBY: Price, Mears, Moore, Davis, McEveley (Johnson 21), Teale (Macken 65), Fagan (Feilhaber 85), Oakley, Barnes, Lewis, Miller. Ref: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire).