Eagles, Klasnic destroy Stoke

Bolton claimed a decisive win against Stoke City at the Reebok Stadium, courtesy of some dreadful defending by the Potters and clinical finishing by the Wanderers.

Bolton started the game strongly, scoring in just the 2nd minute. Stoke keeper Asmir Begovic was judged to have picked up a back pass, which led to a free-kick inside the box. Ivan Klasnic took a quick free kick without waiting for the Stoke players to get ready, and the ball came to Kevin Davies, who stroked the ball home from 8 yards out.

Stoke's first chance came in the 7th minute, when Jermaine Pennant ran down the right flank and crossed, only for Crouch's shot to be saved by Jaaskelainen.

Stoke had another good chance in the 20th minute, after a long throw in by Rory Delap caused problems. However, Cahill finally cleared the ball.

Stoke were punished soon after with Asmir Begovic making yet another schoolboy error. He made a poor clearance of Huth's back pass, giving the ball to Chris Eagles 25 yards away from goal. Eagles took a controlled shot that went past the poorly positioned keeper into bottom right corner of the net. 2-0 to Bolton.

Stoke had a chance to pull one back on the stroke of half time, when a Crouch header was punched away by Jaaskelainen.

Stoke's best chance of the match came in the 56th minute, when another Rory Delap long throw found the head of Robert Huth. However, Mark Davies cleared the ball off the line to preserve Bolton's two goal lead.

Bolton killed the game in the 61st minute, when Ivan Klasnic finished from the edge of the box after being fed by Robinson.

Bolton added a fourth soon after with Chris Eagles getting his brace. Kevin Davies in the 73rd minute, won a header that found its way to Klasnic, who in turn played the ball to Eagles who had to tap the ball past the keeper.

The rout was complete in the 82nd minute, with Ivan Klasnic getting his second of the night. David Wheater headed on an Eagles corner to Klasnic who put the ball into the net.

The result keeps Bolton in the relegation zone with 9 points in 11 games. Stoke remain in 12th place with 12 points from their 11 games.