Everton 1 - 2 Bolton: Tim Howard fluke not enough for Everton

BOLTON came from behind to defeat Everton and haul themselves off the foot of the Barclays Premier League thanks to a goal from Chelsea target Gary Cahill at Goodison Park.

Everton took the lead in freak circumstances in the 63rd minute when goalkeeper Tim Howard beat opposite number Adam Bogdan with a clearance from his own box.

David Ngog made it 1-1 four minutes later with a smart finish, though, before Cahill - once again named as Trotters captain despite a fee for him being agreed with Chelsea - smashed in the winner with 12 minutes remaining. In a lively, but goalless first half, The Toffees were left fuming in the 44th minute when Donovan went down in the box under the attentions of Sam Ricketts and referee Phil Dowd waved away their appeals for a penalty. Moments later, though, they were indebted to Howard for keeping things level as he pushed Ngog’s strike over the bar. Howard found himself at the centre of a lot of the action, producing two good saves, tipping away efforts from Mark Davies and Ngog, before pulling off something even more spectacular.

The American lofted a huge clearance down field which, assisted by the wind, travelled towards the Bolton box and took a bounce which deceived Bogdan and sailed into the net. It was a shock blow for the visitors, but they responded well and equalised within four minutes, before Cahill’s winner.

Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Donovan, Neville, Heitinga, Osman, Stracqualursi, Saha. Subs: Mucha, Bilyaletdinov, McFadden, Cahill, Gueye, Rodwell, Anichebe.

Bolton: Bogdan, Steinsson, Cahill, Knight, Ricketts, Mark Davies, Muamba, Reo-Coker, Petrov, Eagles, Ngog. Subs: Lynch, Robinson, Sanli, Kevin Davies, Klasnic, Pratley, Wheater. .

Referee: P Dowd.

Attendance: 29, 561.