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Bolton Wanderers 1. Sporting Braga 1.

Dioufy Puts Bolton Ahead
By Mark Heys
October 25 2007
El-Hadji Diouf's first Bolton goal in over a year was not enough as the Wanderers surrendered their lead in the final few minutes against a spirited Sporting Braga team at the Reebok Stadium earlier this evening.

Diouf headed the home side in front shortly after the hour just moments after coming on as a substitute but Jailson stole a point for the Portuguese side a couple of minutes from the end.

In truth the game was by far means a classic and most of the pre and early match hype surrounded the fact that Bolton had appointed a new manager in the shape of Gary Megson earlier in the day.

Protests before and during the match at the Reebok where united in their views about chairman Phil Gartside and the Wanderers boardroom but there was a game which needed to be played in what was caretaker manager Archie Knox's last game at the helm.

Knox made four changes from the side which lost 2-0 away at Arsenal, returning to the side was top goalscorer Nicolas Anelka and there was also starts for Nicky Hunt, Gary Speed and Gerald Cid.

Skipper Kevin Nolan dropped to the bench as did the likes of Joey O'Brien and Diouf and there was also a place in reserve for Mikel Alonso who hasn't played since a head injury picked up in the first phase of the competition against FK Rabotnicki.

The first half was quite frankly one to forget but Bolton will rue the fact that they had chances to open the scoring much earlier than when Diouf fired past Paulo Santos in the 66th minutes.

On eight minutes the returning Anelka saw his free kick fail to trouble Braga goalkeeper Santos whilst at the other end Cesar Peixota saw his set piece tipped over the bar by Bolton custodian Jussi Jaaskelainen.

Anelka combined well with strike partner and stand in captain Kevin Davies on 21 minutes but the latter put his header over the top giving Braga some breathing space.

A couple of minutes later Anelka had the best chance of the opening period but the French international could not direct his long range lob past Santos in the Braga goal.

On the half hour mark Brazilian attacker Wender tried to beat Jaaskelainen from distance but the big Finn was always assured that the effort was going harmlessly wide.

The second half saw the games tempo up slightly and it was just as well as both sets of supporters had become restless with the entertainment which was on offer for the evening.

Archie Knox's decision to withdraw young Guthrie was not welcomed by the Reebok faithful but in the end the veteran Scottish coach had the last laugh when substitute Diouf headed Bolton into the lead.

Jorginho had a chance for Braga saved by Jaaskelainen and the experienced Speed went close with a header for Bolton but it was Diouf who broke the deadlock on 66 minutes when converting a delightful cross by Davies.

As the game wore on Bolton seemed comfortable for the three points and in light of the news that Bayern Munich where struggling in their game against Red Star Belgrade it was the perfect chance for the Trotters to hit the ground running in the UEFA Group stage.

However, the last ten minutes saw Braga keep going as they had done through the most part of the contest and Peixoto's shot excellently saved by Jaaskelainen was warning enough that the game was by no means over.

Kevin Davies could have wrapped the game up when hitting the angle four minutes from time but Braga got a share of the spoils on 87 minutes when sub Jailson headed a cross from defender Joao Pereira past Jaaskelainen much to the dismay of the Bolton crowd.

Gary Megson must now pick his players up for an important home game against Aston Villa on Sunday lunchtime in what is sure to be a baptism of fire for the new Trotters boss.

BOLTON WANDERERS: Jussi Jaaskelainen, Nicky Hunt, Andy O'Brien, Abdoulaye Meite, Gerald Cid, Danny Guthrie (El-Hadji Diouf), Gavin McCann, Gary Speed, Ricardo Gardner (Andranik Teimourian), Kevin Davies, Nicolas Anelka

SUBS NOT USED: Kevin Nolan, Mikel Alonso, Joey O'Brien, Daniel Braaten, Ali Al-Habsi (GK)

SPORTING BRAGA: Paulo Santos, Alberto Rodriguez, Joao Pereira, Paulo Gomes, Cesar Peixota, Jorginho, Vitor Castanheira (Stelvio), Andres Madrid (Jailson), Vandinho, Roland Linz, Wender (Ze Manuel)

SUBS NOT USED: Joao Tomas, Carlos Fernandes, Anilton, Dani Mallo (GK)

ATTENDANCE:

10,848

REFEREE:

Darko Ceferin (Slovakia)

BOOKED:

Castangeira (Braga)

Cid (Bolton)

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