Late goals earn Everton 2-0 win over Bolton

Mar 20, 2010 - 6:28 PM By GEOFF McALLISTER STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Mikel Arteta scored his third goal in four games as Everton struck twice in the last 18 minutes to beat ten-man Bolton 2-0 at Goodison Park on Saturday and maintain their late bid for a European place.

Arteta curled in a free kick after Bolton defender Gretar Steinsson had been sent off before Stephen Pienaar's late strike sealed Everton's seventh successive home win.

Toffees manager David Moyes hailed Arteta's form since returning from a lengthy lay-off with a knee injury.

Moyes said: "In the last few games Mikel Arteta has been getting back to his best. He's nursing a couple of minor strains but he's so keen to keep going.

"It was a great pass by Steven Pienaar to get Yakubu away - scoring the goal as well was a double whammy for Bolton, and it was a great free-kick."

Everton suffered an early setback when Nigerian striker Victor Anichebe was stretchered off with a hip injury after a robust challenge from Paul Robinson.

Bolton carved the better opportunities in a subdued first half, with Zat Knight heading into the arms of Tim Howard from Chung-Yong Lee's free kick and Tamir Cohen curling wide.

Howard also produced a fine flying save to keep out a low shot from Bolton talisman Kevin Davies.

Everton began the second half on the front foot and Yakubu and defender Johnny Heitinga both called Bolton goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen into action.

The hosts were fortunate not be reduced to ten men when Tim Cahill, who had already been booked, appeared to purposely handle the ball as he competed with Jaaskelainen.

Bolton's sense of injustice intensified in the 72nd minute as Steinsson was shown a straight red card for hacking down Yakubu after the Nigerian had raced through on goal.

Steinsson's misery was compounded by Arteta's exquisite shot into the top right corner from the resulting free kick.

Leon Osman could have made it 2-0 when he shot against a post before setting up Pienaar to put the points out of Bolton's reach two minutes from time.

Osman weaved his way to the edge of the six-yard box before pulling the ball back for South African midfielder Pienaar to steer the ball home.

Bolton manager Owen Coyle \2013 whose side remain looking nervously over their shoulders towards the bottom three \2013 felt the sending off of Steinsson was the turning point.

Coyle said: "I am disappointed with the result because we were very comfortable in the game and had some great chances but we could not take them and then we went down to ten men.

"I thought the red card was a contentious decision and to compound it Arteta puts the free kick in the top corner after the referee had allowed Everton to take it four yards from where the tackle took place. It left a bitter taste in the mouth.

"But even at one-nil down and with ten men we had chances before they scored the second goal so I am disappointed to be left with nothing from the game."