Bolton haunt Man Utd

Nolan proved Man Utd's nemesis once more

Man Utd 0-1 Bolton

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Bolton Wanderers striker Kevin Nolan inflicted a shock defeat on Manchester United for the second season running at Old Trafford.

Sam Allardyce's side won the corresponding fixture 2-1 last season and they triumphed again thanks to Nolan's late goal.

I have to apologise to the fans. It was my silly mistake which cost us

Man Utd's David Beckham

Photo gallery: Premiership action

The England Under-21 international made the most of some dismal United defending to send the ball past Fabien Barthez.

Sir Alex Ferguson's men only had themselves to blame for failing to make their dominance count.

Despite a frenzied onslaught in the dying minutes, United could not find a way past the brilliant Jussi Jaaskeslainen, who made a breathtaking double save to earn Bolton three points.

  Key incidents

30 mins: Fabien Barthez makes a good save to deny Per Frandsen

77 mins: Kevin Nolan strikes for Bolton

United started like a team without their midfield maestros Roy Keane and Paul Scholes, both out injured.

The odd piece of skill from stand-in skipper David Beckham, who chested the ball around Simon Charlton before unleashing a tame shot, briefly illuminated a tepid first half.

Such was the lack of real incident, the two goalkeepers - United's Barthez and Jaaskeslainen of Bolton - did well to maintain their concentration when called into action.

Bolton looked to Youri Djorkaeff for a flash of Gallic flair to spark the game into life and the Frenchman did not disappoint, showing his class with several deft touches.

Sometimes you can do that something a little bit special, and we've done that for two years now

Bolton manager Sam Allardyce

Indeed, Djorkaeff should have made more of an error by compatriot Laurent Blanc.

The United defender was dispossessed by the ever-willing Michael Ricketts, the ball was fed out to Nolan, who picked out Djorkaeff but his shot flashed wide.

United re-emerged from their apparent slumber just before half-time.

Djorkaeff showed flashes of brilliance

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ruud van Nistelrooy both went close, the former seeing his goalbound effort tipped over by Jaaskeslainen, the latter striking the underside of the crossbar only for the ball to bounce outwards.

After the interval, the game followed a similar pattern. None of the incisive, attacking football with which United are normally associated was on display.

Juan Sebastian Veron, a peripheral figure for long periods despite some sumptuous passing, was replaced by Diego Forlan.

Yet again the Uruguayan failed to make any impact and, with Bolton holding their own against United, the visitors gained in confidence.

Bolton's winner came after some dreadful defending from the home side.

Nicky Butt's half-clearance found Beckham, who failed to control and gave the ball away to Nolan.

The player, who scored the first goal in Bolton's 2-1 win over United last year, unleashed a fierce shot which Barthez could only push into the corner of the net.

At the other end, Jaaskeslainen came to the visitors' rescue, producing a superb double save to deny United an equaliser they did not really deserve.

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Man Utd: Barthez, Phil Neville, Blanc, Ferdinand, Silvestre, Beckham, Butt, Veron (Forlan 76), Giggs, Solskjaer, van Nistelrooy.
Subs Not Used: Ricardo, Stewart, O'Shea, Chadwick.

Booked: Phil Neville.

Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Barness, Bergsson, Whitlow, Charlton, Djorkaeff (Warhurst 73), Frandsen (Dean Holdsworth 87), Nolan, Gardner, Pedersen (Campo 90), Ricketts.
Subs Not Used: Poole, Walters.

Booked: Nolan, Dean Holdsworth.

Attendence: 67,623

Referee: G Barber (Hertfordshire).