Bolton 1-0 Tottenham

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Bolton claimed third place in the Premiership table after outmuscling and outplaying Tottenham Hotspur.

The Bolton captain Kevin Nolan led by example, giving his side the lead with an explosive shot on 31 minutes.

Nolan also hit the post with a neatly placed first-time effort while Spurs' Jermain Defoe had what looked like a legitimate goal ruled out for off-side.

Spurs also hit the woodwork twice in the second half through Mido and a Paul Stalteri cross.

Before hitting the post Mido went close when he cleverly wove his way past a succession of Bolton defenders, before his shot was bravely blocked by Radhi Jaidi.

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The Tunisian central defender's partner Ben Haim also made several vital interceptions to frustrate Martin Jol's side.

Before Spurs' late onslaught Bolton subjected the visitors to an aerial offensive from a series of set pieces in difficult windy conditions.

The best of those set pieces - a Nolan free-kick - created danger when Paul Robinson was unable to claim the ball amid a posse of players.

Having softened up Spurs, Bolton took the lead through Nolan's wonderful goal.

Following a huge punt upfield from Jaaskelainen, El-Hadji Diouf and Kevin Davies combined well on the edge of box before the ball was laid into Nolan's path.

Nolan hit the ball first time, his shot fizzing past Robinson, giving the Spurs goalkeeper no chance.

Five minutes before the interval Nolan almost got a second, striking the woodwork with a side-footed shot after more good link play involving Davies and Diouf.

Early in the second half the injured Davies was replaced by Jared Borgetti.

The Mexican striker proved not quite so adept as Davies in holding the ball up, though he did manage to draw an athletic save from Robinson.

Prior to Nolan's goal Spurs had been restricted to the occasional breakaway.

The best of those rare counter-attacks almost saw Michael Carrick release Defoe with a delightful pass, but the ball was held up by the wind and Jaidi cleared.

After going behind Spurs were more threatening in attack and Defoe had the ball in the net from a Temmu Tainio through-ball only to be ruled off-side.

Young-Pyo Lee then managed to get a clear sight of the Bolton goal only to scuff his shot wide.

Lee had an ineffective game and he was eventually replaced by Keane.

Teemu Tainio was the next Spurs player to threaten when he popped up in the Bolton area only to misdirect his shot.

In stoppage time Stalteri's cross fooled Jaaskelainen, with the Finnish goalkeeper mighty relieved to see the ball bounce back off the bar.

The win left Bolton two points behind second-placed Wigan and eight behind leaders Chelsea.

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Bolton manager Sam Allardyce:
"A little good fortune is always needed.

"We had a few let-offs. Defoe was definitely onside.

"There was a hopeful cross that hit the bar, that could have slipped in. They threw everything at us and we had to defend correctly."

Spurs manager Martin Jol:
"I know they have a difficult job, but the linesman got more decisions wrong.

"We deserved something out of this game. We did everything right.

"A draw I could've lived with but not a defeat like this. I'm satisfied with the boys but we should've had a draw."

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Bolton: Jaaskelainen, O'Brien, Ben Haim, Jaidi, Gardner, Nolan, Faye, Speed, Giannakopoulos (Nakata 59), Davies (Borgetti 49), Diouf (N'Gotty 84).
Subs Not Used: Okocha, Walker.

Goals: Nolan 32.

Tottenham: Robinson, Stalteri, Dawson, King, Lee (Keane 62), Tainio, Jenas (Brown 84), Carrick, Davids, Mido, Defoe. Subs Not Used: Kelly, Cerny, Reid.

Booked: Dawson.

Att: 26,634.

Ref: H Webb (S Yorkshire).