Fowler fires Leeds

Robbie Fowler is swamped by congratulations

Bolton 0-3 Leeds United
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Robbie Fowler grabbed his first hat-trick for Leeds as David O'Leary's side cruised to a comfortable win away at Bolton.

The former Liverpool striker actually should have scored four, but he missed a penalty late on.

Jonathan Woodgate's partnership with Rio Ferdinand could be one of the best in the Premiership

Leeds manager David O'Leary

The win helped Leeds shrug off Saturday's 4-3 defeat by Newcastle and moved them up to third place in the Premiership table, a point behind leaders Arsenal.

Defeat for Bolton means Sam Allardyce's side have now won just once in eight games as they edge nearer the relegation zone.

O'Leary gave defender Jonathan Woodgate his first start for Leeds in the Premiership in 11 months.

  Key moments

2 mins: Robbie Fowler opens the scoring

16 mins: Fowler gets his second

84 mins: Fowler misses a penalty

89 mins: Fowler completes his hat-trick

With Michael Ricketts missing because of a neck injury, Dean Holdsworth was forced to go it alone up front for most of the game.

But Holdsworth found it hard going and got little change from Woodgate.

Penalty miss

Leeds made a blistering start and took the lead after only a minute to stun the home side.

Fowler has scored five goals in five games

Fowler found the target after an incisive move involving Alan Smith and David Batty.

The former Liverpool striker made a yard of space for himself before tucking the ball into the corner beyond keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen.

Fowler added his second goal of the game in the 16th minute with another clinical finish after Mark Viduka had delivered the ball into his path.

Bolton's Paul Warhurst then tried his luck from 30 yards but keeper Nigel Martyn reacted superbly to tip his shot over the top.

The England international then had to look alert to turn away a well struck effort from Ricardo Gardner.

Two pieces of rank bad defending caused our downfall

Bolton manager Sam Allardyce

Kevin Nolan almost pulled Bolton back into the game in the 47th minute when he found space down the right.

He curled the ball in with some power and again Martyn did well to steer his effort to safety.

But Leeds looked dangerous every time they broke with Fowler looking to get his first hat-trick since arriving from Anfield for £11m.

The former Liverpool striker spurned a golden opportunity to do just that when he missed a penalty after Lee Bowyer had been brought down.

But in the 89th minute Fowler ensured he got to take away the match ball when he converted an Alan Smith pass.

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Bolton Wanderers: Jaaskelainen, Barness (Southall 85), Whitlow, Diawara, Charlton, Gardner, Frandsen, Warhurst (Johnson 70), Nolan, Farrelly (Pedersen 60), Holdsworth.
Subs Not Used: Poole, N'Gotty.
Booked: Warhurst.

Leeds United: Martyn, Kelly, Woodgate, Ferdinand, Matteo (Harte 45), Bowyer, Batty, Smith, Bakke (Wilcox 6), Viduka, Fowler.
Subs Not Used: Robinson, McPhail, Duberry.
Booked: Matteo, Wilcox, Smith.
Goals: Fowler 2, 16, 89.

Attendance: 27,060.

Referee: A Wiley (Burntwood).