Bolton 4-0 Wigan: The Daily Mirror match report
Published 05:30 15/03/10 By Alan Nixon
Fabrice Muamba fought long and hard to break his duck for Bolton – but dedicated his goal to someone who has come through a far tougher battle.
Muamba eventually scored his first for Wanderers in his 75th appearance and wheeled off to salute his pal in the VIP seats among the Reebok crowd...referee Mark Halsey.
Halsey, recovering from cancer, had been getting fit at Bolton’s training ground before making his comeback last week. And in the run-up to Saturday’s game he told the England under-21 midfielder that this was “his day to score.”
Muamba struck up a friendship with Halsey during his rehabilitation and immediately went to salute the official after his sweet 53rd-minute strike that put Wanderers 3-0 ahead.
Bolton boss Owen Coyle was almost knocked over as Muamba celebrated his goal extravagantly.
“He certainly enjoyed his goal but he put the fear of God in me,” said Coyle.
I thought ‘he’s not going to jump on me,’ but he did and I did well to stay up.
“Fab will be the first to admit his goals-to-shots ratio wasn’t the best but I told him to keep believing in himself because I know he’s got goals in him.
“England know his qualities. I know he was disappointed by his last under-21 performance but he will get better.
“He wants to get better and that’s why I love working with him.”
Muamba’s goal summed up the party mood as Wanderers got a few breaks after some hard-luck stories in recent weeks.
Referee Mike Dean ignored a strong penalty call when Zat Knight brought down Wigan striker Hugo Rodallega at 0-0, and Wigan centre-half Gary Caldwell gifted them the first, second and fourth.
Coyle acknowledged the good fortune but also pointed out how hard some of his players worked to clock up their best win of the season.
The inspirational Kevin Davies, Swedish striker Johan Elmander and sub Matty Taylor all chipped in with goals.
Davies was just too strong for the Latics and it’s surprising that he has never had a chance for his country.
Coyle said: “I won’t question any other players in the England squad, but Kevin never ever lets you down.
“For me he is the best at what he does – he’s mobile, strong and, given the right quality of ball, he will get you goals too. He’s the captain and a real leader – a real man’s man.
“He would never let anyone down for his country. Kevin Davies wouldn’t be out of place in the England squad.”
Coyle seems to have spread a feel-good factor around his Bolton team. The weight is off a few shoulders and they are a win or two away from safety.
The Scot took some fierce stick when he moved from Burnley and will not be forgiven in some quarters. Many still blame him for his old club’s demise.
But Coyle left Burnley in 14th place and with a run of games they would have won under his leadership. Now he has taken Bolton even higher – and the work has only just begun.
