HT Bolton 2-0 Stoke: Begovic blunders boost Bolton

Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic endured a first-half nightmare as struggling Bolton claimed a two-goal lead in this afternoon's Barclays Premier League clash at the Reebok Stadium.

The Bosnian first picked up a back pass and compounded that error by allowing Ivan Klasnic to quickly take the free-kick from which Kevin Davies opened the scoring after just two minutes.

Begovic then slipped attempting to clear from the feet of Klasnic and Chris Eagles drove back into the net from a tight angle for the second.

Struggling Bolton restored captain Kevin Davies and handed a debut to 20-year-old Joe Riley against Stoke this afternoon.

The pair were among five changes made by manager Owen Coyle - only one enforced by suspension to Ricardo Gardner - as he sought a first home win in the Barclays Premier League in six attempts this season.

Stoke fielded just four of the side which started against Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel on Thursday - the other seven being on the bench - while Marc Wilson, Ryan Shawcross and Matthew Etherington failed fitness tests.

Stoke took time to recover from the loss of the second goal and it was Bolton who dominated possession as half-time approached.

Pennant did make one penetrative run but Nigel Reo-Coker broke up the attack on the edge of the area.

Jon Walters won a header as Pennant launched a free-kick into the area in the last minute of the first half but Jaaskelainen batted out and Bolton scrambled clear.