By Peter Donnelly
January 23 2003

Newcastle United beat Bolton Wanderers on Wednesday night, with the visitors going down 1-0 at St. James' Park to a Jermaine Jenas goal. United were excellent first half, but Bolton took over in the second and gave us a few scares. The win puts Newcastle 2 points behind Man.U and 4 points ahead of Chelsea in the league table, having played the same amount of games.

Sir Bobby kept the same team from the Man. City game for the visitors on Wednesday night, with Dabizas keeping his place at centre back alongside Steve Caldwell.

We came out the blocks on fire and could have scored after only 30 seconds when, after neat build-up play, Kieron Dyer then shot towards goal but Jaskelinen saved well.

Dyer got through on several other occasions but Bolton managed to get the tackles in.

We were playing some excellent stuff and that eventually payed off when Steve Caldwell's long ball was taken in Craig Bellamy's stride and the Welshman squared the ball inside the box where Jermaine Jenas ran into onto and slotted the ball home.

Just before half-time Dyer got into a good position yet again but his shot was just wide.

At the break though, Big Sam must have gave some team talk because Bolton came out and went for it. Ivan Campo came on to dictate their attacks.

Newcastle were nothing like they were in the 1st half though and struggled to get going. Steve and Caldwell put in a really good shift at the back which helped prevent Bolton scoring, so to Dabizas despite some dodgy moments.

Bolton did have chances though and Bernard Mendy missed a sitter when the ball was crossed and Mendy missed practically an open goal and hit the side netting.

The Trotters constantly got round the sides, but we held out even though the visitors had two penalty claims dissmissed for our 11th straight win at home.