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  • Kick-off: 15:00
  • Venue: Reebok Stadium
  • Attendance: 22717
  • Referee: Foy, C

Live Commentary

90mins

FULL-TIME: BOLTON 3-1 STOKE CITY

90mins

The final whistle blows and Bolton run out comfortable winners. Stoke will need to improve on this display quickly if they are to have any realistic chance of surviving this season.

90mins

Ricardo Fuller heads in a late consolation goal for Stoke following a good cross by Carl Dickinson. It won't be enough for Stoke but they got on the scoresheet and can only improve from here.

88mins

Samuel sends in a cross for Bolton but Cresswell clears for Stoke.

87mins

Fabrice Muamba hits a shot for Bolton but it goes wide - Muamba might need to work on his shooting as he hasn't impressed with his shots today.

83mins

Matt Taylor hits a free kick from 30+ yards out for Bolton, it goes wide of the left post but the Bolton man should have tried to set up a team mate rather than go for glory from that range.

81mins

Another big Delap throw (I have a feeling this may be said many times through the season), this time Lawrence fouls Jaaskelainen in the Bolton box and the Wanderers clear with the free kick.

78mins

Matt Taylor shoots for Bolton forcing a brilliant save from Sorensen who tips it round the post. Gavin McCann takes the resulting corner but Sorensen gathers comfortably.

76mins

Lawrence crosses for Stoke and Delap hits the shot but its wide of the mark, Stoke just not good enough today and will need to adapt quickly if they want to avoid the drop this season.

74mins

Andy Wilkinson replaced by Carl Dickinson (Stoke).

74mins

Johan Elmander replaced by Gavin McCann (Bolton). Gary Megson just looking to hold onto this lead now and McCann should provide support in midfield.

74mins

Nolan hits a wicked volley from about 12 yards out but Shawcross manages to clear for Stoke.

71mins

Elmander beaten by the offside trap, it looked for a minute as if the big Swede was on for a brace on his debut but he miss timed his run and was caught offside.

70mins

Leon Cort (Stoke) heads over the Bolton bar from a Lawrence free kick, Stoke really need to bury any chance they have here as this game is just slipping away from them.

67mins

Bolton win two corners in succession, both taken by Matt Taylor and Sorensen gathers the second to stop the danger.

65mins

Mamady Sidibe replaced by Ricardo Fuller as boss Tony Pulis tries to get something out of the game for Stoke, they need something and have been outclassed by Bolton so far in this game.

64mins

Bolton seem to have succeeded in slowing the game down, the game has quietened down a bit and Bolton seem happy to sit back and stop Stoke playing.

62mins

Seyi Olofinjana booked for foul on Bolton's Kevin Davies

60mins

Gretar Steinsson booked for the Wanderers after he fouls Leon Cort in the Stoke half.

57mins

Another Stoke free kick, this time Matt Taylor brings down Cort (Stoke). Lawrence takes from the right this time but Muamba gets it away for Bolton.

56mins

Andy O'Brien brings down Kitson and Stoke win a free kick, Lawrence takes from the left but Kevin Davies clears the ball for Bolton.

55mins

Liam Lawrence replaces Glenn Whelan for Stoke as Pulis looks to give Stoke a different attacking option, it may be too little too late for Stoke.

54mins

The game has calmed down a bit now, Stoke really need to up the tempo and attack Bolton but I fear the Potters can do little to stop themselves slumping to an opening day defeat to Bolton who have looked impressive.

50mins

Another Bolton attack, this time Matt Taylor's left-footed drive goes out for a corner, the resulting corner is cleared by Sidibe.

48mins

Elmander hits a right-foot shot from pretty much the penalty shot but it goes wide and Sorensen takes the goal kick.

47mins

Another long throw in by Delap for Stoke, they need to try something different as Bolton are well versed in defending set-pieces and are not troubled by the attack.

45mins

Bolton go forward striaght away but the ball drifts out for a Stoke goal kick.

45mins

Bolton get the second half underway, will they look to increase their lead or sit-tight? My money is on the latter.

45mins

Halftime at the Reebok and Stoke look dead and buried, they started the brighter of the two sides but Bolton showed their class to virtually win the game in the first 45 minutes.

45mins

Elmander makes it 3-0 to Bolton with another header after a high ball into the Stoke box, I can't see Stoke coming back from this and Bolton are giving them a brutal welcome to the Preimership.

41mins

Kevin Davies heads into the Stoke goal after a high ball into the air, the big striker is surrounded by City players but he makes the room and cleverly flicks the ball past Sorensen.

38mins

Muamba shoots well high and wide from 20 yards after Elmander set him up, if he'd composed himself better it could have been a debut goal for Muamba.

37mins

Sorensen gathers a cross whipped in by Bolton's Jlloyd Samuel, its not an easy take for the big keeper who won't be too happy with the way his defence is letting Bolton through.

34mins

Steinsson hits a wicked volley into the Stoke goal, it could have been a miss placed cross or if he meant it a very early goal of the season contender!

31mins

Taylor shoots at the Stoke goal but Cort dives in front and blocks the shot, excellent defending from the Stoke player.

27mins

Another big throw from Delap, it seems to be the only way the Potters know how to attack, this time the ball finds its way through to Kitson who swings at fresh air and misses the ball- he should have scored.

22mins

Jaaskelainen saves from Corts header after sloppy Bolton defending, it was offside anyway but Bolton need to wake up to the danger Stoke can pose.

20mins

Another let off for Stoke. A slow build up for Wanderers and Taylor threads in a wicked cross. All Elmader has to do it touch it and its in but he scuffs it and it goes wide of the Stoke goal.

19mins

Davies flicks on to Elmander and the Swede rifles a shot over the bar, it had plenty of power but not the accuracy and Stoke breath a sigh of relief.

14mins

Kevin Davies clatters into Shawcross and the Stoke man needs treatment as he's bleeding all over his shirt. I'd give Davies the benefit of the doubt and say he didn't know Shawcross was there.

13mins

Steinson whips the ball into Elmander who heads just wide for Bolton, its a wake up call for Stoke who need to be aware of Bolton's aerial threat.

10mins

Stoke corner, another long throw from Delap causes Bolton problems and Andy O'Brien clears for a corner, it doesn't cause any problems for the Wanderers and they clear easily.

9mins

Kitson heads over the bar from a Wilkinson cross. Stoke are definately up for it here and have started the brighter of the two sides.

7mins

Joey O'Brien puts a low cross into the Stoke box, the cross looks dangerous and Sorensen does well to gather the ball under pressure.

6mins

Kitson heads over the bar! Another throw in by Delap causes pandimonium in the Bolton box and the ginger forward heads just over.

5mins

Bolton on the offensive, Joey O'Brien tries to thread in Davies but Shawcross cuts out the danger.

3mins

Another huge throw in by Delap, this time Gary Cahill gets his head to it to clear. Delaps big throws could cause Bolton problems and it's been a nervy start by the Wanderers.

1mins

Stoke go at Bolton straight away. A massive throw into the Bolton penalty area by Stoke's Rory Delap causes panic but Bolton talisman Kevin Davies manages to clear

0mins

We're underway at the Reebok stadium. Stoke City are making their first appearance in the top-flight since 1985 and will be looking for a result here at the Reebok but but Bolton are well ecquipped to ruin the Potters Party.

0mins

Both teams line-up as expected here at the Reebok stadium today. Bolton hand record signing Johan Elamander his home league debut while Stoke have a record signing of their own playing in the shape of Dave Kitson.

Match Report

Bolton Wanderers made sure Stoke City's return to the top-flight of English football was a torrid one with a blistering opening day showing at the Reebok Stadium.

Gretar Steinsson, Kevin Davies and Johan Elmander all found the net for the hosts in the first 45 minutes to leave City licking their wounds.

Stoke, who last played a game in England's top tier back in the 1984/5 season, were completely overrun by a Wanderers side who are now unbeaten in six games if you take the end of last season into consideration.

City did however grab one back when substitute Ricardo Fuller headed home deep into second-half injury time.

Right back Steinsson, the Icelandic £3.5million capture from AZ Alkmaar back in January, opened the scoring on 34 minutes when he cushioned Kevin Nolan's neat ball before unleashing a swerving cross that evaded debutant Thomas Sorensen and ended up in the net.

It was the 26 year-old's first goal for the club and highlighted his growing importance to Gary Megson's side.

Targetman Davies doubled the lead seven minutes later when he neatly headed home a deep Gary Cahill cross.

And then Elmander, the club's record £11million summer signing from Toulouse, nodded in the third from Joey O'Brien's accurate free-kick in first-half injury time.

Midfielder Seyi Olofinjana saw a header flash over the bar midway through a quiet second half.

Bolton captain Nolan saw a weak shot cleared off the line, while wing-back Matt Taylor also had an ambitious flicked volley well saved by former Aston Villa keeper Sorensen.

Wanderers actually took their foot off the gas in the second period and boss Megson will not be happy at the lack of a clean sheet.

However, the immediate three points settled any lingering fears among the home fans that they will struggle at the wrong end of the table for a second successive season.

Bolton Wanderers

Stoke City

Corners

43

Fouls

1312

Goal attempts

148

Shots off target

66

Offsides

31

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