HT Everton 0-0 Bolton: Anichebe spurns best chance of scrappy first-half
Published 16:02 20/03/10 By MirrorFootball
Everton were being frustrated by Bolton as they chased a seventh successive home win in the Barclays Premier League this afternoon.
David Moyes' side had little joy in a scrappy opening half against the battling Trotters at Goodison Park.
Yet both sides had their opportunities with Victor Anichebe - who left the field injured soon after - spurning a chance for Everton and Bolton possibly denied a penalty for handball against John Heitinga.
Form sides Everton and Bolton both named unchanged sides. Everton boss David Moyes chose to keep faith with Ayegbeni Yakubu up front despite the return to fitness of top scorer Louis Saha, who was handed a place among the substitutes.
Bolton also had a player making a welcome return to the bench in defender Gary Cahill, six weeks after being diagnosed with a blood clot that threatened to end his season.
Mark Davies and Sam Ricketts, back from suspension and injury respectively, were also named as Bolton substitutes.
Bolton were looking to continue their march away from the relegation zone by recording a fourth win in five games while Everton were seeking a seventh successive home victory.
Bolton had an early penalty appeal turned down after Gretar Steinsson lobbed a free-kick into the Everton box.
Johan Elmander had a shot blocked and Kevin Davies' follow-up appeared to catch the arm of John Heitinga but referee Alan Wiley gave nothing.
Everton almost caught Bolton with an immediate counter-attack as Tim Cahill played Victor Anichebe in on goal with a superb through-ball.
Anichebe charged into the area but took too long to shoot and Paul Robinson made a crucial tackle.
Bolton caused more problems from another free-kick but Zat Knight was unable to make firm contact with Lee Chung-yong's cross and Tim Howard saved comfortably.
Anichebe, who only returned to action in January after almost a year out with a knee injury, lasted just 13 minutes before crumpling up in pain after another collision with Robinson.
Diniyar Bilyaletdinov received an early call from the bench and took his place on the right wing.
Cahill was booked for a bad challenge on Jack Wilshere and Everton struggled to clear the resulting free-kick with Phil Jagielka heading unconvincingly over his own crossbar.
Elmander won another free-kick after being tripped by Phil Neville, making his 200th Everton appearance, 30 yards out.
Kevin Davies was unable to make the most of the opportunity, shooting tamely at Howard.
Everton's supporters were calling for a penalty after Leighton Baines went down under a Lee challenge but the player himself was quickly on his feet and Wiley was unmoved.
Bolton replied with a couple of good attacking moves.
The first ended with Tamir Cohen firing narrowly over after Davies' cross was headed in his direction by Baines.
A slick break involving Elmander and Lee then saw Wilshere play Davies in on goal with a neat backheel but the Bolton skipper's shot was weak and straight at Howard.
