Sport

Ricketts gives Bolton hope

Bolton Wanderers - 4 Newcastle United - 3: English Premiership: Alan Shearer scored the 350th goal of his career but struggling…

Fri Dec 27 2002 - 00:00

Bolton Wanderers - 4 Newcastle United - 3:English Premiership: Alan Shearer scored the 350th goal of his career but struggling Bolton did their survival chances no harm at all by holding on for a much-needed three points as Michael Ricketts bagged a brace for Sam Allardyce's side at the Reebok Stadium.

Ricketts was the catalyst in a vital victory for Bolton as they raced into a 4-1 lead only to fall away and hang on for only their second home league win.

The game got off to a blistering opening with three goals in the opening nine minutes with Bolton having the advantage. The home side got the start they wanted with a goal after just five minutes. Ricardo Gardner laid the ball into the path of Jay-Jay Okocha who rifled a shot beyond Shay Given.

Bolton's lead lasted only three minutes with Shearer getting the equaliser through Shearer.

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The game took another twist in the ninth minute when Bolton regained the lead when Gardner whipped in an unstoppable 25-yard free-kick.

Kieron Dyer found the net for Newcastle but his effort was ruled out for an infringement before Ricketts added a third for Bolton on the stroke of half-time with a powerful header beyond Given after a cross from Frandsen. The Bolton supporters could hardly believe what they were witnessing going into the second half. Ricketts got his second goal of the game after 64 minutes to put Bolton 4-1 ahead, latching on to a poor back pass from Gary Speed.

Newcastle pulled a goal back after 72 minutes when Solano picked out Ameobi and his shot appeared to take a deflection off Dyer into the net.

Newcastle set up a grandstand finish by getting a third goal in the 78th minute. Robert played a short free kick to Shearer who lashed an unstoppable shot into the corner from 25 yards .

BOLTON: Jaaskelainen, Charlton, Bergsson, Whitlow, Barness, Frandsen, Okocha, Djorkaeff (Nolan 66), Gardner, Pedersen (Facey 75), Ricketts. Subs Not Used: Poole, Campo, Tofting. Booked: Frandsen. Goals: Okocha 5, Gardner 9, Ricketts 45, 63.

NEWCASTLE: Given, Griffin, O'Brien, Caldwell, Hughes, Solano (Jenas 73), Dyer, Speed, Robert, Ameobi (LuaLua 73), Shearer. Subs Not Used: Bellamy, Harper, Dabizas. Booked: Shearer, LuaLua. Goals: Shearer 8, Ameobi 71, Shearer 79.

Referee: U Rennie (S Yorkshire).