Coyle jubilant at Wanderers’ revenge

THE 5-0 defeat in last season’s Wembley FA Cup semi-final to Stoke had hung around the neck of Bolton manager Owen Coyle, albatross-like, for seven months, yet even the keenest follower of the vagaries thrown up by football could not have predicted this outcome.

Two goals each from Chris Eagles, unstoppable on the Bolton wing, and Ivan Klasnic, plus a controversial opening effort from Kevin Davies, brought Bolton some much-needed revenge and ended a depressing run of 13 defeats in the 16 league games since that shoddy performance in April.

“Last night when I went to mass, the local priest was brilliant and said ‘Let’s pray for the Wanderers,’’’ smiled Coyle. “So I knew He was on side as well.”