Source: Telegraph
Bolton Wanderers 2 Birmingham City 1: match report
Bolton Wanderers, despite conceding a hugely debatable penalty, eventually secured 14th position, their captain Kevin Davies delivering his ninth goal of the season to put his team on course to complete a double over Birmingham City whose impressive first season back in the Premier league concluded with their highest league placing for 51 years. [LNB]They finished ninth, last achieved in 1959, despite losing a closely fought encounter at the Reebok Stadium where the home side doubled their lead through Ivan Klasnic. [LNB]Bolton Wanderers Football Club: Fixtures 2009/2010However, a penalty to Birmingham, strangely awarded by the referee when there appeared no contact, provided the visitors with a lifeline. [LNB]The penalty by substitute Christian Benitez was initially saved by the Bolton goalkeeper, Jussi Jaaskelainen, who then kept out a follow-up attempt from Lee Bowyer before James McFadden muscled the ball over the line. [LNB]A first half marred by a spate of four Birmingham bookings saw Bolton establish an early lead, Davies heading in on 33 minutes when Paul Robinson floated in an inviting free-kick from the right. [LNB]Birmingham had opened with the greater threat, but Bowyer wasted a second-minute opportunity and then Michel was also wasteful when shooting straight at Jaaskelainen. [LNB]Bolton proved even more careless, notably Matt Taylor who shot straight at Joe Hart when he had only the Birmingham goalkeeper to beat. Taylor had a further opportunity shortly into the second half; again his finishing was poor. [LNB]However, on the hour Klasnic clinically finished after Vladimir Weiss had crossed from the left and, though Birmingham fought back, their finishing lacked composure. [LNB]Then came the penalty incident with Jaaskelainen seemingly colliding with his own defender Zat Knight, but the referee inexplicably awarded Birmingham a penalty. [LNB]Bolton, who had conceded a two goal lead in their previous home match, held on this time and finished deserved winners.[LNB]
