Okocha goal sends Hammer closer to drop

Bolton 1, West Ham 0

Jay Jay Okocha produced a moment of magic today to steer Bolton closer to safety and West Ham closer to the Nationwide League.

The former Nigerian captain scored his sixth goal of the season just six minutes before the break.

He is unlikely to score a better one – or one that could be so vital come the end of the season.

Okocha’s winner puts Bolton six points clear of the Hammers with only four games remaining in the battle to beat the drop.

It was Bolton’s fourth win in five games and they have hit form at just the right time.

Yet the Hammers should have secured a point but Jermain Defoe scuffed a shot wide from 12 yards in the 76th minute.

Their frustration boiled over at the end with several players squaring up the final whistle after Ian Pearce had been dismissed.

Hammers captain Joe Cole was seen to throw punches before being escorted away from the centre of the pitch.

Okocha was the first to show, clearing the bar from 20 yards after Ivan Campo had knocked back a corner from Youri Djorkaeff.

The Hammers immediately broke back and Frederic Kanoute raced clear and in sight of goal.

However, he hit a tame effort wide of the post to hoots of derision from the home supporters.

The Hammers kept the momentum going and Defoe cut inside only to see his shot comfortably taken by Bolton goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen.

The Hammers were looking bright in the opening stages and Defoe got clear on the right only to send his cross into the arms of Jaaskelainen.

Bolton, however, almost opened the scoring in the 12th minute when Okocha saw a shot rattle the base of the post before being scrambled away.

It was wake-up call for the Hammers, who were soon back on the front foot.

Cole tried to release Kanoute, only for N’Gotty to read the situation well and divert the ball to safety.

Then Kanoute made space on the edge of the area, only to drag his effort the wrong side of the post.

Bolton were gradually coming into the game and Bernard Mendy headed a cross from N’Gotty over the bar.

Youri Djorkaeff had the home supporters on their feet in the 31st minute after a searing run into the area, only for David James to make a clean catch.

Defoe was then released by Steve Lomas but captain Gudni Bergsson made a timely block before Bolton made the the breakthrough with a marvellous goal from Okocha.

The Nigerian midfielder somehow carved a path through the Hammers defence, despite appearing to stumble and fall, before unleashing an unstoppable shot beyond James from 20 yards in the 39th minute.

Okocha almost added a second two minutes later only for James to race out and smother the ball.

Then the England goalkeeper did well to tip over a fierce shot from Bernard Mendy as Bolton gained the upper hand going into the break.

The start of second half was scrappy with little flowing football in blustery conditions.

With so much at stake you could feel the tension rising by the minute as the tackles started to come flying in.

Cole tried to get the Hammers back on track with a good little run before scuffing a shot wide of the post.

Manager Glenn Roeder then decided to switch things around in the 65th minute bringing on the experienced Les Ferdinand for the ineffective Edouard Cisse.

It was the beginning of a spell of pressure for the Hammers with Steve Lomas racing into the box, only to be blocked by Campo.

Cole was putting himself about but there was little service to the potentially dangerous Trevor Sinclair.

Kanoute found space in the box and was about to go for goal when Simon Charlton made a wonderful challenge.

Hammers striker Defoe should have pulled them level after 76 minutes but dragged a shot wide of the post from 12 yards.

Okocha then was narrowly off target before the visitors picked up the pace again.

Johnson decided to try his luck on goal from 25 yards only for his effort to whistle past the post.

Hammers defender Pearce was sent off in the last minute after a wild challenge on sub Pierre-Yves Andre.

Pearce then flattened Bergsson before being dismissed by referee Uriah Rennie.

It was all too much for Cole at the end as Hammers edged closer to the First Division with this defeat.