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SPORTS: Bolton 1 Tottenham 4 (THE SUN Article)

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Bolton 1 Tottenham 4 (THE SUN Article)



YOU BEAUTY ... Luke Modric and Co celebrate his wonder strike
YOU BEAUTY ... Luke Modric and Co celebrate his wonderstrike
Picture: MARK ROBINSON
Published: 47 minutes ago

LUKA MODRIC struck a wondergoal as Tottenham boosted their Champions League hopes — and pushed Bolton closer to the drop.

The Croatian's stunner saw Spurs go into half-time 1-0 up, only for Nigel Reo Coker to level matters shortly after the break.
But that only served to wake up Harry Redknapp's men, who took the lead once more through Rafa van der Vaart on the hour.
Emmanuel Adebayor's simple tap-in sealed the points just moments later, before the Togolese striker rounded Adam Bogdan on 69 minutes to wrap up the romp.
The result sees Spurs retain fourth spot on goal difference ahead of Newcastle — and move a point within third-placed Arsenal — while Bolton remain third bottom behind QPR.
Both sides were unchanged for the match, which saw Fabrice Muamba walk out onto the pitch before kick-off — his first appearance at the Reebok since his cardiac arrest on March 17.
Spurs started brightly and won an early corner but Rafael van der Vaart’s dangerous cross avoided everyone as it bounced through the six-yard box.
Bolton looked composed early on but it was Spurs who had the first serious opportunities of the night when Bogdan was forced into a double save.
Bogdan, outstanding in the rearranged cup game against Spurs, parried a long-range drive from Gareth Bale and then reacted quickly to deny Van der Vaart as the Dutchman fired in another shot.
Bale then made a cutting charge into the area and pulled the ball back from the byline — but there was no-one on hand to turn in.
Spurs had another chance after Modric was barged off the ball by Mark Davies but Van Der Vaart curled his free-kick wide.
Bolton pieced together a nice move to release Dedryck Boyata in the box but the right-back could only pick out Brad Friedel when David Ngog was unmarked in front of goal.
SCREAMER ... Luke Modric breaks the deadlock from distance
SCREAMER ... Luke Modric breaks the deadlock from distance
Bolton made another swift counter-attack as Martin Petrov broke clear down the left and whipped in a low cross which just evaded Kevin Davies.
Chris Eagles picked up possession and found Ngog but the Frenchman’s shot was smothered by Friedel.
Spurs responded to Bolton’s positive spell by by hitting back to take the lead with a stunning Modric strike after 37 minutes.
LEVEL UP ... Nigel Reo-Coker equalises
LEVEL UP ... Nigel Reo-Coker equalises
The visitors won a corner after Bogdan saved from Van der Vaart and the ball was put behind.
Van der Vaart was allowed to chip to Modric outside the area and the Croatian chested down before blasting a swerving shot into the top corner.
Bolton should have been level before the break.
Eagles first shot wide with a long-range effort before Boyata put a golden opportunity over the bar in stoppage time.
Bolton had a scare early in the second half as David Wheater gifted possession to Van der Vaart but Tim Ream snuffed out the counter-attack.
DUTCH LOVIN' ... Rafa van der Vaart makes it 2-1 to Spurs
DUTCH LOVIN' ... Rafa van der Vaart makes it 2-1 to Spurs
Petrov launched another ball into the Spurs box from a free-kick but Ngog’s header was comfortably claimed by Friedel.
The Trotters pulled themselves back level with a well-worked equaliser in the 51st minute.
Kevin Davies headed on Boyata’s throw-in to Ngog and his backheel rolled perfectly for Reo-Coker, who fired a low shot past Friedel.
The goal lifted the crowd and Bolton upped the tempo.
KEY GOAL ... Emmanuel Adebayor makes it 3-1
KEY GOAL ... Emmanuel Adebayor makes it 3-1
Petrov found himself in a good position but scuffed a shot wide and three corners in quick succession caused some anxiety in the Spurs box.
Eagles was the next to take aim after another throw was hurled into the area but his effort went narrowly over.
Bolton paid for their failure to make the most of that spell as Spurs launched two quick counter-raids to score twice in as many minutes.
Bale first stretched the defence and Van der Vaart finished coolly as the Welshman slid an inviting ball into his path.
Barely seconds later, Lennon got behind the defence as he raced onto a long ball from Modric and squared for Emmanuel Adebayor to tap home his 15th of the campaign.
Bolton briefly rallied but the game was seemingly put beyond their reach as Bale sent Adebayor clear and the on-loan Manchester City striker casually rounded Bogdan to score.
Lennon, sparking a row on the touchlines between Spurs assistant boss Joe Jordan and Bolton manager Owen Coyle.
Spurs manager Harry Redknapp appeared to step in as peacemaker and Vela was booked.
Bolton endured more frustration as Petrov crossed and both Kevin Davies and Eagles failed to trouble Friedel.
Adebayor tried his luck from distance in search of a hat-trick but chipped over.
Spurs played out time to record their first win at the Reebok Stadium and the travelling fans chanted their support of Redknapp.
DREAM TEAM RATINGS
STAR MAN - LUKA MODRIC
BOLTON: Bogdan 5, Boyata 5, Ricketts 6, Wheater 5, Ream 6, Reo-Coker 7, M Davies 6, Eagles 5, Petrov 5, Ngog 5, K Davies 5. Subs: Vela (Reo-Coker 65) 5; Klasnic (Ngog 65) 5; Miyaichi (Eagles 83) 5. Not used: Jaaskelainen, Alonso, Knight, Sordell. Booked: Vela, Eagles.
TOTTENHAM: Friedel 6, Walker 7, Rose 6, Gallas 6, Kaboul 7, Lennon 7, Sandro 7, Modric 8, Bale 7, Van der Vaart 7, Adebayor 7. Subs: Livermore (Van der Vaart 79) 5; Saha (Lennon 84) 5; Nelsen (Gallas 87) 5. Not used: Cudicini, Giovani, Defoe, King. Booked: Walker.

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