Source: Daily_Mail
Liverpool 2 Bolton 1: Is winner too late for Roy Hodgson
Joe Cole has been an Anfield misfit, a Londoner unable to make an impact on Merseyside - until now. So has manager Roy Hodgson. [LNB]But in the dying seconds of a helter skelter game, late substitute Cole bundled home the goal that snatched victory from what seemed like impending defeat at half-time.[LNB] Bolton captain Kevin Davies headed the visitors ahead before Fernando Torres, finally regaining some of his matadorial form, ended a sweeping move to equalise shortly after the interval. [LNB] Red hot Cole: Liverpool's midfielder (centre) scores the winning goal[LNB]That goal energised the hosts, who piled forward, held firm in the face of counter-attacks and nicked it at the last.[LNB] It was Cole's first Premier League goal for Liverpool, indeed his first league goal since scoring for Chelsea against Manchester United last April in a match that effectively sealed the title for the Stamford Bridge side.[LNB] It may transpire that though the 29-year-old's strikes are rare, they are also disproportionately valuable. Certainly this goal injected new life into a dreadful season and gave Hodgson hope his that his 184-day reign has extra time to run.[LNB]Safe... for now: Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson[LNB]'I'm not getting into that,' was Hodgson's take on rumours that he is being lined up for the boot by the club's American owners. He said suggestions of his imminent demise are media-driven. 'I'm not interested in negativity,' he added. 'My job is to make sure that the team turns in the kind of performances that they have done today.'[LNB] Liverpool's fans roared with relief as much as with joy at the final whistle and there was no sign of large-scale antagonism towards Hodgson. Hundreds of messages were sent to co-owner John W Henry's Twitter account imploring him to get rid of Hodgson. 'Hodgson out! Get him out! Out! Out! Out!' was one mild example. 'Pull the trigger on Woy!' was another.[LNB] But loud boos at half-time and at the full-time whistle were directed not at the home team's boss but at the referee, Kevin Friend, for perceived anti-Red bias. Yet this Friend, at a time of need, was actually a friend indeed. TV replays suggested Cole's goal was offside. But the official allowed it, and Liverpool march on, under Hodgson for now. [LNB]He insisted when the club were wallowing at the bottom end of the table after seven games that he said they would be in the top half come the turn of the season, and could then kick on. The table shows they are indeed in the top half after 19 games, albeit on goal difference, and four points behind Bolton. [LNB]Visiting manager Owen Coyle had not seen replays of the winner but indicated he was not entirely happy, saying Cole was 'on the paint when he taps in'. But the Scot was also pleased his depleted men had pushed Liverpool.[LNB] Coyle's squad featured only 15 players because of injuries and other absences, including Tamir Cohen on bereavement leave after the death of his father, Avi, a former Liverpool player.[LNB] Equaliser: Fernando Torres nets with a superb finish[LNB]Torres showed intent from the start, darting into the channels, being barged off the ball but quickly back on it. Zat Knight bundled him over, then Martin Skrtel flashed a header wide from the subsequent free-kick. [LNB]Dirk Kuyt and Torres combined down the left and the crowed gave their first roar of approval. Torres, inspired, twisted and turned in the box, looping an effort that fell to Maxi Rodriguez, whose shot was cleared off the line by Matthew Taylor.[LNB] In the 21st minute, Hodgson introduce Steven Gerrard for the injured Raul Meireles. The manager said afterwards Gerrard needs to be gently eased back after injury.[LNB][LNB][LNB] White feather: Kevin Davies heads the opener at Anfield[LNB] Liverpool continued to probe, Rodriguez heading onto the bar while David Ngog's shot was held. Bolton then won a free-kick when Fabio Aurelio clattered into Rodrigo. Davies headed in Taylor's free-kick to take the wind from Liverpool's sails, yet they were not downbeat for long. [LNB]Early in the second half Glen Johnson ran down the right and squared to Ngog. He passed to Gerrard, whose first-time pass arrowed to Torres and the Spaniard volleyed home. It was his first goal since 10 November.[LNB] 'A wonderful goal from world-class players,' gushed Coyle. 'A top-class pass from Gerrard and an exquisite finish from Torres.' [LNB]Hodgson added: 'It was good to see Fernando get a goal after playing so well.'[LNB] Roy Hodgson's days at Liverpool numbered as owners plan for life without him Wolves, Bolton and Fulham in loan scramble for United striker MachedaLIVERPOOL FC
