North-East Sport
Sunderland held by struggling Bolton
5:29pm Saturday 28th April 2012
A BRACE from Kevin Davies was enough to earn struggling Bolton Wanderers a point as they held Sunderland to a 2-2 draw at the Stadium of Light.
A BRACE from Kevin Davies was enough to earn struggling Bolton Wanderers a point as they held Sunderland to a 2-2 draw at the Stadium of Light.
Davies’ goals came either side of the half time break after Sunderland had scored through Nicklas Bendtner in the first half and James McClean in the second.
The result means Martin O’Neill's men have now gone five games without a win in the league since their exit from the FA Cup at the hands of Everton.
The point could prove vital in Bolton’s quest to avoid relegation to the Championship, but a result for Wigan against Newcastle will mean Owen Coyle’s side remain in the bottom three.
Having gone more than six hours without scoring prior to today’s game, Sunderland were desperate to get off to a good start, but it was the visitors who took a surprise lead in the 26th minute.
Martin Petrov curled in a beautiful cross from the left and there waiting at the back post unmarked was Davies to finish with a superb first time shot.
Sunderland responded well with Matt Kilgallon seeing his glancing header go inches wide of Adam Bogdan’s post, before good work from Fraizer Campbell set up Stephane Sessegnon only for his first touch to divert the ball away.
The Black Cats were level ten minutes after going behind when Nicklas Bendtner finished low past Bogdan after a perfectly weighted through ball from Jack Colback.
Craig Gordon, making his first start in 14 months, made a good save to deny David N’gog meaning the sides went in at the half time break level.
Ten minutes after the restart, Sunderland took the lead when James McClean curled his free-kick past Bogdan after Kevin Davies had fouled Sessegnon just outside the area.
The hosts had a great chance to extend their lead when Fraizer Campbell blazed his effort over the bar, but the visitors drew level despite having created little since the restart.
In similar fashion to his opening goal, Davies found space inside the area to head past Gordon after Sam Ricketts had sent in a deep cross from the left.
Substitute Ivan Klasnic had a hat-trick of chances to win it for Coyle’s men, but he was denied by Gordon on two occasions, one after Wayne Bridge had gifted his the ball with a poor back pass.
Sunderland: Gordon, O’Shea, Turner, Kilgallon (Bridge 82), Bardsley ; Sessegnon, Cattermole, Colback, McClean, Campbell (Elmohamady 72), Bendtner.
Subs (not used): Westwood, Krygiakos, Meyler, Vaughan, Ji.
Bolton: Bogdan; Boyata, Rickets, Wheater, Ream; Petrov, M Davies, Reo-Coker (Vela 78), Eagles (Miyaichi 64); K Davies, David N’Gog (Klasnic 64).
Subs (not used): Jaaskelainen, Knight, Alonso, Sordell.