Read more about Match Reports.
Everton 2-0 Bolton Wanderers
Match Reports, 18:48, March 20, 2010 ,
Second half Goals from Mikel Arteta and Steven Pienaar gave Everton a hard-earned 2-0 win over 10-man Bolton at Goodison Park.
Everton started well and Victor Anichebe had a great chance to put the Toffees in front after just three minutes when he was played clean through by Mikel Arteta. But the Nigerian took too long to get a shot away and Paul Robinson got back to make a last-ditch tackle.
Things got worse for Anichebe 10 minutes later when he was clattered from behind by Robinson. The forward, who has just returned from a year on the sidelines, gamely tried to carry on but eventually had to be stretchered off with a hip injury
The game deteriorated from then on and it wasn't until the 39th minute before we saw the next chance. Neat play from Chung-Yong Lee and Jack Wilshire set up Kevin Davies in the area but Tim Howard did well to block his low shot.
Bolton continued to frustrate Everton in the second half, even if it was at the expense of any attacking intent from the away side. However, the game was transformed on 70 minutes.
Yakubu was played clean through by Steven Pienaar but was dragged down by Gretar Steinsson on the edge of the box. Referee Alan Wiley showed no hesitation in showing the defender the red card and Everton compounded things by scoring from the free-kick, Mikel Arteta curling the ball over the wall and into the corner with Jussi Jaaskelainen unmoved.
It was one way traffic from then on as Everton pushed for a second that would kill the game off but they had to wait until the 90th minute to get it. Substitute Leon Osman skipped past two players in the box before cutting the ball back from the byline to Pienaar to tap home from eight yards.
Everton leapfrog Birmingham into eighth place with the win while Bolton remain eight points clear of the drop zone in 13th.