Mikel Arteta and Steven Pienaar were on the scoresheet as
ten-man Bolton became another victim of fortress Goodison Park with
Everton making it seven home wins on the spin with a 2-0 success.
David Moyes' dominant side looked set to be on their way to a
disappointing draw, but after Gretar Steinsson saw red for a foul on
Pienaar on 71 minutes, Arteta curled the resulting free-kick to put the
Toffees ahead.
The home side had earlier found Bolton keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen in fine
form but Arteta's strike - and a late second from Pienaar - ultimately
sent the Trotters home empty-handed.
Bolton seized the early initiative and they had a penalty appeal on
three minutes after a Steinsson free-kick bounced around the box but
referee Alan Wiley was not interested.
Owen Coyle's side were on the front foot again six minutes later but Zat
Knight's header was easily saved by Tim Howard.
The home side gradually started to get a foothold in the game as the
half wore on - Arteta struck a free-kick into the wall while Diniyar
Bilyaletdinov, a 15th minute substitute for Victor Anichebe, fired over.
But it was Bolton who wasted the best chance of the half on 39 minutes -
Chung-Yong Lee and Jack Wilshere combined well to send Davies clear but
the former Chesterfield frontman couldn't beat Howard.
The second half followed the scrip of the first with the home side
dominating play, but struggling to find the end product, Ayegbeni Yakubu
had a deflected effort saved by Jaaskelainen on 51 minutes.
And two minutes later the Bolton stopper was at it again, this time
blocking a Johnny Heitinga effort.
The game exploded into life in the last quarter when Bolton were reduced
to ten men when Steinsson received his marching orders for bringing
down Pienaar on 71 minutes.
And the Toffees made the advantage count immediately when Arteta curled
the resulting free-kick into the top corner.
Bolton tried to get themselves level, but Pienaar's 89th minute goal
ensured Everton's unbeaten home run extended to nine games.
Source: DSG