The Nigerian international did not show his best form at times last season when he was played in different positions but put him in the middle of the back four and more often than not he will show star quality. Spare a thought also for David Weir who turned in a captain's performance. Never afraid to put his head in when the boots are flying, he put the shackles on the dangerous Kevin Davies. Even a serious looking injury to Alessandro Pistone could not throw Everton out of their rhythm, as Phil Neville moved seemlessly from the centre of mid-field to left-back. On the opposite flank, Tony Hibbert was as assured as always. Having coped with the best that Bolton could throw at them in the first half, the question during half-time was would Everton be clinical enough to win the game if a chance fell their way after the break? As neat and tidy as they had been in both games against Villarreal and United, the one fair criticism that could be aimed at Everton was that they lacked a cutting edge when it was most needed. This time, happily, the doubts were dispelled within six minutes of the restart, as Yobo dispatched a long ball forward to Tim Cahill, whose super first time cross afforded Bent the easiest of chances to get off the mark. That goal completely knocked the wind out of Bolton's sails and as they began hoofing aimless balls forward, it soon became apparent that Everton had broken their opponents' spirits.. Allardyce desperately tried to freshen things up, introducing a succession of substitutes but the closet that Bolton ever came to scoring was when Everton sat back too deep allowing El-Hadji Diouf to thrash a shot onto the crossbar which went via Martyn's fingertips. They did have one more opportunity in the dying moments but Jay-Jay Okocha put a free-kick straight into the wall from a threatening position, sending an apoplectic Allardyce into a frenzy on the touchline. Moyes, on the other hand, did his best to keep a lid on his emotions but once the final whistle sounded, he joined the rest of his players and staff, bullishly punching the air in delight in front of Everton's travelling support. It would, of course, be wrong to get carried away over one victory, the same as it is to be too critical after one defeat. But the early signs this season have certainly been encouraging and now everyone connected with the club can look forward to the forthcoming trips to Villarreal and Fulham. Take note, Alan Green. BOLTON (4-3-3): Jaaskelainen; Hunt (Campo 79), Ben Haim (Vaz Te 83), Jaidi, Gardner; Speed, Nolan, Okocha; Diouf, Pedersen (Stelios 67), Davies. Subs: Walker, Faye. EVERTON (4-4-1-1): Martyn; Hibbert, Weir, Yobo, Pistone (Osman 33); Arteta, Cahill, Neville, Kilbane; Bent (McFadden 61); Ferguson. Subs: Wright, Davies, Vaughan.
BOOKING: Kilbane (foul). REFEREE: Alan Wiley ATT: 25,608 | 
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