Trotters give Stoke a rude welcoming

Bolton 3 Stoke 1

Record signing Johan Elmander marked his debut by finding the target as Stoke got an indication of how tough life will be in the Barclays Premier League.

After 23 years of waiting to return to the top flight this was a wake-up call for manager Tony Pulis and his players.

Bolton, after all, just escaped the drop last season thanks to a five-match unbeaten run when it mattered most.

However they looked a class apart after a sluggish start with Gretar Steinnson and Kevin Davies joining Elmander on the scoresheet.

Stoke made a bright start only to fall apart in an 11-minute spell before half-time and their only consolation was a header from substitute Ricardo Fuller in stoppage time.

Dave Kitson, a £5.5million summer signing from Reading, twice came close with headers and Leon Cort saw his close-range effort blocked by goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen.

In between Elmander’s effort went narrowly over the bar after a good first touch following a flick-on from Davies.

Bolton gave an indication of what was to come in the 32nd minute when Davies headed marginally wide following a cross from Taylor.

They took the lead two minutes later with Iceland international Steinsson’s first goal for the club.

It was a stunning strike as well – the ball delivered from an acute angle just outside the area.

Former AZ Alkmaar full-back Steinsson wheeled away in celebration after his effort whistled past goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen via the post.

Stoke looked stunned and little wonder as they had dominated possession up until this point.

Bolton were growing in confidence and looking to kick on after losing their first game at home last season against Newcastle.

They extended their lead in the 43rd minute when Davies with his back to goal sent a looping header over Sorensen after Gary Cahill had launched the ball forward.

Bolton made it 3-0 in stoppage time thanks to Elmander, who arrived in the summer from Toulouse for a fee reported to be £11million.

Stoke again failed to deal with a set piece with the Sweden international heading home a free-kick from Joey O’Brien.

Elmander almost got a second goal after 49 minutes when he latched on to a ball from Fabrice Muamba, only to see his effort go wide of the post.

Then skipper Kevin Nolan tried to slip the ball through to Elmander but Sorensen read the situation well and made the clearance.

With a three-goal cushion Bolton were looking assured in this their eighth season in the top flight.

Backed by a crowd of 22,717 they were playing some good football and Stoke were finding it tough going.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis made his first change in the 66th minute when he brought on Liam Lawrence for Glenn Whelan in the hope he could turn things around.

Davies was putting in his usual shift for Bolton. Not content with getting forward, he also thought nothing of helping out his defence when needed.

There was a slight scare for the home side when Andy O’Brien’s back-pass was short.

However Jaaskelainen was quickly off his line and nicked the ball off Kitson’s toes as he prepared to take advantage.

Stoke were continuing to work hard but found it hard to peg back Bolton’s advantage.

The home side re-grouped and almost extended their lead in the 75th minute only for Ryan Shawcross to clear Nolan’s effort off the line.

Then five minutes later Sorensen did well to push away a header from Taylor at the post before Fuller pulled a goal back for Stoke in stoppage time with a header.