Trotters two good for Fulham

Kevin Nolan scored his third goal in five games as Bolton continued their push for Europe with a 2-1 win over Fulham.

Manager Sam Allardyce believes the club captain deserves a place in the England squad. Certainly on the evidence of this display the 24-year-old midfielder will have done his chances no harm at all.

Bolton made it hard for themselves, however, after going into a two-goal lead. They made the breakthrough in the 23rd minute when Gary Speed scored coolly from the penalty spot.

He took full advantage after Michael Brown barged Anelka in the back as Nolan played the ball in. It was veteran midfielder Speed's fourth goal of the season and just the boost Bolton needed.

Debutant Andranik Teymourian almost made it 2-0 to Bolton in the 40th minute after being released inside the six-yard box by Anelka.

The Iranian's effort was struck well enough but goalkeeper Jan Lastuvka made a breathtaking block. But Bolton did go two up in the 50th minute following a flowing move.

Nicky Hunt's deep cross was headed against the post by Stelios Giannakopoulos and Nolan was first to react and scored from the rebound. Simon Davies was then wasteful for Fulham in the 64th minute when he blazed a free-kick from 20 yards out high over the bar.

Fulham pulled a goal back two minutes later with a clever header from Zat Knight which deceived Jussi Jaaskelainen after Davies had swung in the corner.

Former Portsmouth midfielder David Thompson almost found the target for Bolton in the 85th minute but his effort was deflected to safety.

Fulham almost grabbed the equaliser in stoppage time but Jaaskelainen reacted superbly to tip a header from substitute Tomasz Radzinski over the bar.