Everton presses for Europa League

Bolton arrives at Goodison Park with Everton pressing for a chance at the Europa League. Six points behind Arsenal, the mission is simple as the Toffees cannot afford to drop points, particularly at home.

With the difficult FA Cup victory over Liverpool on Wednesday evening, there is concern that Bolton's physical play could create problems. David Moyes said of the match:

"It makes you feel stronger in the next game, that's the way I see it.

"If you can play 120 minutes, then 90 becomes easy.

"It is always tough when you play Bolton.

"They are making a really good fist of being in the Premier League. The result they got against Tottenham (a 3-2 win) will help them no end.

"We know what we are going to get; we know there's a physical encounter; a whole hearted honest side - and we have to compete against that.

"If we can keep this form going to the end we have got a chance of catching them.

"I think we have set out the way we have to do it. When I arrived at the Club I was aware that we had very little available for transfers and that hasn't really changed.

"The chairman has squeezed every penny out and if you look at the last couple of years we have brought in (Marouane) Fellaini and Yakubu, so we have tended to get one signing like that (per season).

"But in the main it's been the Mikel Artetas for three million, Phil Jagielka for four (millions) and players like Tim Cahill and Joleon Lescott; ones not really at the higher range of the market.

"We just can't guarantee we can get to the top because we dont have the money that some teams have got.

"I only see that as a manager's job.

"If you don't then you are quickly made aware by supporters or the board or whoever. That is my job, I have to try and win games and I'd like to do it with a good style if I can. But if you don't have the players you have to find another way because that's your job."

Marouane Fellaini and Steven Pienaar are both doubtful with Victor Anichebe definitely out. Jô is expected to debut but likely off the bench given fitness level isn't up to par.

Bolton shows heart to defeat City 2-0

With doom raining down on him, Gary Megson put together a brilliant tactical plan in leading Bolton to a 2-0 victory over Man City in front of their home fans.

Whilst City controlled possession of the ball before the break, all efforts couldn't get past keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen. After the break, Bolton seemed to grow with confidence with each minute and gradually went forward as City fell back on their heels. Finally with thirteen minutes remaining Gretar Steinsson's cross was redirected in by Ricardo Gardner. Some may have question whether he was offside and others contended that the call made up for a rather dubious missed foul call by referee Mike Riley when Richard Dunne tangled with Matthew Taylor in the box but regardless, Bolton had the lead and as time would prove out, they would not give it up. Two minutes from time, Ricardo Gardner sent a perfect cross through the box from the left side that Richard Dunne inadvertently cleared into the City goal to make it 2-0 and give Bolton the victory.

After the match Mark Hughes noted to the BBC:

"They made it hard for us to play our normal game and credit to them for that.

"You have to be stronger in possession but we failed in that respect. We need to be stronger mentally and physically.

"Our home form is excellent but our away form is weak so we need to look at that and address where we are weak. The performance we wanted wasn't there."

Whilst many will complain of the less than "entertaining" brand of Football the Wanderers played, at the end of the day they neatly tucked three points away to the dismay of City fans.

The loss sends City to tenth in the table only two points about West Ham who occupy the final relegation spot. Man City returns to action this Thursday against Twente Enschede in the UEFA Cup.

Man City visits Bolton

Mark Hughes' Man City travels to the Reebook to face Bolton. It has been tough start for the Wanderers and with Harry pulling off miracles in north-London, Gary Megson finds his squad now at the bottom of the table.

Bolton has lost its last two matches and know they must start to accumulate points or the future will involve the Championship League. However in their defense, their matches are typically close and they simply are finding themselves on the wrong end of the scoreline.

Both clubs have players return from the sin-bin, Gavin McCann for Bolton and Pablo Zabaleta for Man City. Bolton is reporting itself as fully-fit although Mark Hughes will be missing Daniel Sturridge and Jô is questionable. With a short week that includes an important UEFA Cup match against Steve McClaren's Twente Enschede on Thursday, City is likely to give the Brazilian striker added-rest and call upon him only if needed late in the match.

I will report on the match as it concludes.

Everton crushes Bolton in last minute

When he came from Standard Liège the phrases used by the media to describe Marouane Fellaini was a "box to box" midfielder although anyone who saw him in Belgium knew he was so much more. Maybe the time has change the description because his goal scoring prowess is quickly making a powerful statement.

Following the difficult loss against Man Utd, marked with Wayne Rooney's ramble-rousing, the Toffees were in a sticky situation. Winless since the fourth week of the season, the bottom of the table was starting to wake-up and a victory was desperately needed.

The last few weeks, we've seen a glimmer of hope raise to a chest thumping roar. The loss to Arsenal stirred that glimmer and against Man Utd with all their awards and gleaming trophy cases, we stood up and we're counted. We rose in strength and found a way to fight and challenge our way to a tough draw. Today that glimmer resounded as once again with their backs against the wall David Moyes' forces dug-in and as time ran-out Steven Pienaar's cross was headed-in by Marouane Fellaini to give them a 1-0 victory over Bolton.

It was not a "classic" victory and if I am to be truthful, Bolton outplayed Everton for the most part. However through a hard-nosed work ethic and never back-down mentality the Toffees head home with three points and await Fulham this Saturday.

Everton at Reebok Stadium

All of a sudden with Tottenham serving notice they are not going to be a pushover with Harry Redknapp in-charge and Newcastle ending its victory drought, the bottom of race is packed with seven clubs within two points. While no additional motivation was needed, it looks like the early season race is on.

Everton travels to Reebok Stadium to face Bolton, who are only a single point behind the Toffees. After squeezing by relegation last year they got off to a respectable start this year with four points in the opening three matches. However this situation has taken a turn for the worse recently as they have been held off the score-sheet the last three of four matches. Recent slumps aside Kevin Davies and Johan Elmander can be a very dangerous scoring combination and the only absentee from Gary Megson's lineup is Gavin McCann who is serving a suspension.

Everton welcomes back Timmy Cahill from his three-match suspension and David Moyes will immediately move him and Marouane Fellaini into the lineup.

Commenting on the Bolton match, David Moyes said:

"There’s never an easy game in the Premier League and never an easy game at Bolton. It is always a hard game and we know that’s what we get."