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Bolton Wanderers 1-2 Town
Saturday, 1st Dec 2012 17:06

Michael Chopra netted his first goal under Mick McCarthy’s management in the final minute as the Blues came from behind to win 2-1 at Bolton Wanderers. The home side had gone in front through Mark Davies in the first half, but DJ Campbell equalised from the spot after Daryl Murphy had been fouled, then Chopra completed the job at the death.

Andy Drury replacing the injured Luke Hyam in the centre of midfield was the only change to the side which beat Nottingham Forest 3-1 on Tuesday. Hyam didn’t travel due to the calf injury he suffered in that game.

Former Bolton midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker missed out on facing his old club due to his hamstring injury, while ex-Blues loanee Keith Andrews was in the Trotters starting line-up.

The home side had the better of the first couple of minutes of a game played in front of a surprisingly subdue home crowd although without threatening. But on four Zat Knight failed to deal with a Tyrone Barnett flick and the ball fell to DJ Campbell. The on-loan QPR man was unable to gain control when he ought to have found himself in the space for a shot and instead he played the ball to Lee Martin to his left, whose strike was blocked.

Play went straight up the other end and Andrews hit a trademark 25-yard strike which Stephen Henderson tipped over.

But the Trotters didn’t have to wait too long for a goal. Jay Spearing played the ball to Mark Davies eight yards outside the area and the midfielder - who Mick McCarthy sold when he was manager at Wolves - unleashed a powerful strike which flew past Henderson before rippling the net.

Bolton were completely dominating the early stages and Marcos Alonso went close on eight with a low 25-yard shot which deflected wide.

Town came more into it as the game reached the quarter hour mark but without creating anything in front of goal.

On 16 the home side should have added to their lead when Andrews dispossessed Drury inside the Bolton half, sending David Ngog away down the left. The ex-Liverpool man cut the ball back to skipper Kevin Davies, who sliced wide when he ought to have scored.

Campbell managed Town’s first shot in the 17th minute, his strike from the edge of the box deflecting through to home keeper Adam Bogdan.

Moments later, the Blues striker picked up the game’s first yellow card for a late tackle on Spearing. From the resultant freekick, Alonso was found on the left and cut the ball back across, Drury diverting behind ahead of Ngog.

Wanderers were still very much on top with Town so far unable to keep hold of the ball for very long and dictate the play as they did against Forest on Tuesday. Barnett and Campbell had caused a couple of moments of concern for the home side’s backline but nothing which ultimately came to anything.


Bogdan was forced into his first serious save of the game in the 32nd minute when a well-worked freekick from 25 yards involving Drury and Aaron Cresswell ended with Martin lashing powerfully to the keeper’s left. The Hungarian pushed the ball away to his left from where Bradley Orr blasted over from a tight angle.

Town were starting to show a little more and a minute later Cresswell was found in space on the left but his cross was far too long for Barnett.

The Blues had more of the ball in the closing stages of the half but without looking like scoring. For the home side, Chris Eagles screwed wide from a promising position on the right.

Bolton were worthy of their lead at the break having been in control for the most part. Mark Davies’s goal was a fine strike, while Kevin Davies amongst others will feel they ought to have done better with some of their other chances.

The Blues had started what had been a not overly entertaining game on the back foot even before conceding the sixth-minute goal but had had a better spell before the break, albeit without particularly threatening.

Perhaps the biggest positive from a Town perspective was that conceding early in an away game hadn’t led to a Leicester-style collapse and that they were still very much in it at half-time.

Bolton captain Davies had the first chance of the second half, volleying Mark Davies’s left-wing cross goalwards from the edge of the area on 50 but Henderson impressively got across to his left to save, then claimed the loose ball ahead of Eagles.

Henderson stopped a weak Kevin Davies header on 53 with the game continuing in much the same manner as the first half.

The Blues switched Drury and Barnett with Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and Daryl Murphy in the 55th minute, presumably in order to increase their threat going forward. Orr moved into central midfield with skipper Edwards going to right-back and Emmanuel Thomas to right midfield. Murphy joined Campbell up front.

Town began to have most of the ball but still without creating the opportunity which might lead to an equaliser. On 67 Henderson was out quickly to clear a ball over the top for Ngog as Bolton broke.

In the 71st minute the Blues got back on terms. Orr played the ball in to Murphy’s feet just inside the area and the Irishman turned away from Tyrone Mears, who tripped him. There were no protests from the home side and Mears was booked.

Despite having his spotkick saved against Forest in midweek — when Luke Hyam followed up to score — Campbell grabbed the ball and slammed it low to Bogdan’s right, just inside the post for his sixth of the season, continuing his record of scoring every other game during his loan spell with Town.

The goalscorer made way for Michael Chopra on 76, the Blues sub joining Campbell in referee Michael Naylor’s book within three minutes for a foul on Mears.

Henderson held on to an Alonso strike from 25 yards, then for Town Emmanuel-Thomas mis-hit well wide from either further out as the game moved into its scheduled final 10 minutes with the Blues on top.

On 85 Emmanuel-Thomas’s clever pass played in Martin on the right. The former Manchester United man struck a shot from a tight angle but Bogdan saved with his feet. Meanwhile, referee Naylor slipped over, much to the crowd’s amusement.

With two minutes remaining, Bolton sub Jacob Butterfield cut in from the right and hit a shot not too far wide of Henderson’s right post. At the other end, Murphy’s shot looked to be goal-bound until it struck Knight and deflected wide.

And from the corner, Town won it. The ball was cleared to Orr just outside the box and the on-loan Blackburn man hammered a low shot which Bogdan couldn’t hold onto, Chopra reacting sharply to slam the ball into the roof of the net.

Chopra had another chance as the half moved into four minutes of injury time when sent away on a break by Martin. The Blues sub was in space and cut inside Sam Ricketts before attempting to slip the ball under the advancing Bogdan, who somehow managed to keep it out.

Town dominated the final minutes of a game which had totally turned on its head after Bolton’s bright early showing and referee Naylor blew his whistle to cheers from the travelling Blue army.

The Blues had become more dominant as the game wore on and after Mick McCarthy’s inspired substitutions - all three made an impact - and switch around personnel, looked the stronger side.

Only a few weeks ago, once they had gone behind, Town capitulated in the manner they did at Leicester and Crystal Palace, but the Blues are increasingly made of tougher stuff and, having secured 13 points in McCarthy’s seven games in charge.

The victory was particularly welcome for fans who were back at the Reebok for the first time since the 4-1 defeat which all but confirmed relegation from the Premier League in April 2002.

Town are now up to fifth from bottom, a position which seemed highly unlikely when McCarthy was officially appointed a month today.

Town: Henderson, Orr, Chambers, Smith, Cresswell, Edwards, N'Daw, Drury (Emmanuel-Thomas 55), Martin, Campbell (Chopra 76), Barnett (Murphy 55). Subs: Loach, Hewitt, Higginbotham, Carson.

Bolton: Bogdan, Mears, Ricketts, Knight, Alonso, Spearing, Andrews (Butterfield 79), Eagles (Chung-Yong 65), M Davies, Ngog, K Davies (Afobe 72). Subs: Lonergan, Mills, Ream, Pratley. Referee: Michael Naylor (South Yorkshire). Att: 17,208.


Photo: Action Images



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TractorCam added 17:09 - Dec 1
Mick McCarthy's barmy army!
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shoopdelang added 17:11 - Dec 1
It is starting feel good to be a town fan again. And not just because we are winning there now seems to be a spirit an belief about us
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northdevonblue added 17:13 - Dec 1
Thank you guys, just thank you!
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TimmyH added 17:13 - Dec 1
Yep great result, didn't expect it. According to the Beeb we offered 'nothing' until we scored from the penalty spot, I've read the write up above and it doesn't seem like that - any answers please? Well done Mick and the lads, 5 points clear of safety!
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Mutiny added 17:15 - Dec 1
Mick's the man to run the whole place - why do we need Clegg?
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itfcjc added 17:16 - Dec 1
So Chopra scored
Bolton couldn't handle murphy
Town get 3 penalties in 3 games
Town up to 20th
What is the world coming to?
Great result
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jumpy added 17:16 - Dec 1
Great win, two in a row, showing great signs of progress
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StuartBrett8 added 17:16 - Dec 1
Fantastic result... we seem to be beating teams near the top and struggling against 'easier' teams .... it's a funny old game :)
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linesyrules added 17:16 - Dec 1
Super Mick - brilliant management, at last we have a proper football manager. Great result from the boys, all fitted together by top management. COYB
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oscarwhiting added 17:17 - Dec 1
Great result epescially coming from behind at the reebok hopefully if we play like this week in week out we can climb up the table
COYB
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irishtim added 17:18 - Dec 1
Pity we didnt get MM earlier.
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francisb123 added 17:18 - Dec 1
Brilliant result, onwards and upwards for us
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canveyblue added 17:19 - Dec 1
Well done lads, great result today-MICK McCARTHYS BLUE AND WHITE ARMY!!!!
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warksonwater added 17:20 - Dec 1
Pre-Mick, one win in thirteen. Post-Mick, four wins in seven. Anyone around still not want him in charge?
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BackToRussia added 17:21 - Dec 1
Bet even MM is surprised by his genius!
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Michael11 added 17:22 - Dec 1
Fantastic result, would have snapped your hand off for a draw let alone all 3 points. Well done boys great effort! COYB!!
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ArnieMsBigToe added 17:25 - Dec 1
Cor chuffin blimey!! I was a little doubtful when MM was announced as ITFC's new manager. . . . but not anymore.

And I quote "The Blues switched Drury and Barnett with Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and Daryl Murphy in the 55th minute, presumably in order to increase their threat going forward. Orr moved into central midfield with skipper Edwards going to right-back and Emmanuel Thomas to right midfield. Murphy joined Campbell up front."

I thought WTF but MM knew what he was doing. Maybe, that's the reason that I (and so many other prospective know-it-alls) are not the new ITFC manager, and big Mick is. What a bloke!!

I say to anyone . . . if you wanna knock MM go ahead . . . but you will end up looking the fool.

Come on you blues!!
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Morgan added 17:30 - Dec 1
Fantastic result and so many good things coming out of it. I didn't go today but it sounds like we finally learnt to weather a storm without collapsing. Chopra bagged a goal, Campbell took a penalty after missing one midweek, we have some fight!

Long may it continue. I'm looking forward to watch the championship tomorrow.
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blueherts added 17:32 - Dec 1
Fan Bloody tastic - got some real resolve about the team now !!! lovin it - go behind against a good and in form team and we show real character and then press for victory
What is with these pens!!! love it
Well done Chops and to all
Suddenly I enjoy Saturday evenings again

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itfcjc added 17:34 - Dec 1
@francisb123 didn't you say on Tuesday that we would get smashed
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Edmunds5 added 17:34 - Dec 1
What a result, especially having gone a goal down early, before hand we would capitulate but today we not only came back but won the game. Micks managerial credentials were tested today, not only having to say the right things at half time but then to make the substitutions and tactical changes for us to win the game shows what an astute manager he is. Shout out as well for Chops, I must admit I haven't really been a fan of his in recent times but he has got on and won us the game today and we should take notice of that, more of the same required Chops. Well done all involved and whoever went up to Bolton today your dedication has been rewarded.
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bluefeast added 17:35 - Dec 1
Its been metioned before Chopra can play his part. Well today he certainly has. BRILLIANT COYB............
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warbeat78 added 17:36 - Dec 1
I'm finnishing with my girlfriend then were getting married MM!! (Your going nowhere micheal joseph) get in there! TOWN!!!!
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runningout added 17:36 - Dec 1
not sure if it's me, but can we have a sense of realism.. it's not long since our own horror shows, and Bolton are'nt the same side of 3/4 seasons ago.. blinking good result just the same
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MrCool added 17:36 - Dec 1
Pinch me.
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