Premiership: Phillips finds scoring form for Sunderland - report

Bolton 0 Sunderland 2

Kevin Phillips rediscovered his scoring instincts 24 hours before England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson names his squad to face Greece.

The Sunderland striker grabbed his fifth goal of the season but not only that his all-round performance was straight out the top drawer.

With Liverpool’s Michael Owen out injured, the Swedish coach may be tempted to turn to Phillips.

He opened the scoring after Per Frandsen had missed a penalty. Jody Craddock added a second to stun the home crowd.

Bolton went into the match knowing victory would take them above Leeds who play tomorrow.

But they have now picked up just three points from a possible 15 and their bright start is fading fast.

Bolton carved out the first chance of the game when Dean Holdsworth released Ricardo Gardner.

The Jamaican international cleverly spun away from two Sunderland defenders, only to see his effort end in the side netting.

The visitors hit back and Niall Quinn set up Phillips but he weakly dragged his shot wide.

The pair again linked up and again the England squad member couldn’t get a decent contact.

Rod Wallace then played a short free kick to Paul Warhurst. However Sunderland keeper Thomas Sorensen was able to gather safely.

Sunderland, without an away win in the Premiership, were playing with a good degree of confidence.

Julio Arca released Phillips in the 28th minute but he had strayed offside, which referee David Elleray was quick to spot.

Bolton stepped up the pressure and the lively Jermaine Johnson stung Sorensen’s hands with a fierce drive.

Then Holdsworth tried his luck with a curler from 25 yards, only to see it drift marginally wide.

Phillips, however, should have put Sunderland ahead after Kevin Kilbane drove the ball across the face of the Bolton area.

It was a clear chance but Phillips seemed to take his eye off the ball and stubbed his effort wide.

Then Arca’s clever free kick breached the Bolton defence. Quinn’s shin diverted the ball the wrong side of the post, however.

Bolton found themselves on the back foot as the half came to a close with keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen tipping over a header from Quinn.

Moments later Holdsworth cleared off the line from Varga after Arca had delivered the corner.

Bolton boss Allardyce made a switch at half time, bringing on Frandsen for 19-year-old Nolan.

Frandsen was then given a yellow card five minutes after coming on for a challenge on Jody Craddock, who needed brief treatment.

Bolton pressed forward and Holdsworth peeled away to the left before delivering a fine cross.

Sunderland were beginning to carve out openings again in the second half and Kevin Kilbane found Michael Gray lurking on the left.

He floated the ball into the area and Quinn was able to get in a header but it was easily taken by Jaaskelainen.

Johnson then skipped away from Sunderland’s Gavin McCann, only for Sorensen to react instinctively and pushed his effort away.

There was further drama in the 64th minute when Bolton were awarded a penalty after Ricardo Gardner was pulled back by Craddock.

He looked certain to score after Gudni Bergsson had flicked on a cross from Simon Charlton.

Frandsen took the kick but it was poorly struck and Sorensen was able to save at the post.

Sunderland took advantage of the let-off and went ahead in the 76th minute through Phillips. Kilbane flicked on Arca’s corner and Phillips knocked the ball in at the near post.

They added a second six minutes later with Arca again showing his liking for dead-ball situations.

He swept in a free kick that was headed home by Craddock to put the game out of Bolton’s reach.