Newcastle 3-1 Bolton

Emre hit the Bolton woodwork before Kevin Davies' volley struck the Newcastle post via Robbie Elliott.

Nolberto Solano's curling free-kick put Newcastle ahead before Jussi Jaaskelainen palmed Alan Shearer's looping header into his own net.

Shola Ameobi then scored after Bolton failed to clear a corner before Kevin Davies converted Radhi Jaidi's header.

Since Roeder took temporary charge of Newcastle a once porous defence has conceded just two goals in six Premiership matches - Davies' strike the first in more than six hours of football.

The former West Ham manager must increasingly be considered as a candidate to succeed Graeme Souness on a permanent basis.

Newcastle, with Shearer back after a three-game absence, won a series of early corners but it was Bolton who threatened first, Jaidi and Gary Speed both heading wide from inviting positions.

Bolton had to make a change after 15 minutes when Jay-Jay Okocha limped off to be replaced by Hidetoshi Nakata.

And the visiting team almost found themselves a goal down before the Japan international had an opportunity to exert any influence on the game.

The ball dropped invitingly to Emre, who showed great technique with a left-foot strike from 20 yards that cannoned off the woodwork.

Bolton then struck the Newcastle post, the deflection off Elliott leaving Given stranded after Speed had cushioned a header into Davies' path.

Ameobi should have put Newcastle ahead but completely missed the ball after a neat pull-back from the impressive Charles N'Zogbia.

But Ameobi's embarrassment was soon forgotten when Solano's free-kick eluded Jussi Jaaskelainen.

Newcastle took the game further beyond Bolton just before the break, thanks in part to Jaaskelainen's moment of suspect goalkeeping.

More efficient approach work culminated in N'Zogbia's deep cross to Shearer.

Jaaskelainen dived to save the veteran striker's header, which may have been going wide, but succeeded only in palming the ball into his own net.

If Bolton manager Sam Allardyce - himself linked with the Newcastle position - was looking for a response after the break it was slow in coming.

Newcastle started the half by winning a series of corners, while Scott Parker time and again snuffed out Bolton attacks in their infancy.

Shearer came close to a second with a vicious strike that was deflected over the crossbar.

Bolton twice failed to clear the subsequent corner and Ameobi eventually controlled an attempted shot from Emre before thrashing the ball past Jaaskelainen.

Davies scored from a matter of inches, stabbing home Jaidi's header, for his first goal in 16 games.

Bolton rallied, with Richard Vaz Te, on for Nakata, volleying wide and Davies also missing the target.

Kevin Nolan had the ball in the Newcastle goal but the strike was ruled out for handball.