WATFORD were defeated for just the fourth time on the road this season as they became only the third team beaten at Bolton this season.
First half goals from Lukas Jutkiewicz and the impressive Joe Mason were enough to see Bolton take the three points in front of their own supporters.
The Hornets made three changes from the side that drew 0-0 at Yeovil on Tuesday night. In came David Faraoni, Sean Murray and Chu-Young Park for Daniel Pudil, Cristian Battocchio and Mathias Ranegie.
Bolton made one change from their 1-1 draw against Millwall as Mason – who re-joined the Wanderers on loan from Cardiff City this week – replaced former ‘Orn Chris Eagles.
Bolton started the game on top and their first chance fell to Mason after Mark Davies played him in, Manuel Almunia denying the Irish forward.
From the resulting corner, Mason found space in the box but his header went over the bar.
Watford had their first chance of the game on 12 minutes when Daniel Tozser found Gabrielle Angella, but his header was well saved by Bolton ‘keeper Adam Bogdan.
Bolton had another chance four minutes later and yet again it was Mason who was causing the Watford defence havoc – his header was on target, but was saved well by Almunia.
On 23 minutes the home side were forced into a change as Darren Pratley picked up an injury was replaced by Neil Danns.
The Hornets won a free kick on the edge of the box after 25 minutes when Faraoni was brought down. Tozser saw his free-kick rebound to him off Park, but his follow up went wide of the target.
Jutkiewicz then had his first chance of the game. This came from a free kick by Tim Ream after Joel Ekstrand had taken down Jutkiewicz. However his header was saved by Almunia.
Murray then had an effort at goal after Deeney set him up, but this went high and wide of the target.
Bolton took the lead after 34 minutes after Jutkiewicz managed to beat Almunia at the back post following a free kick after Alexander Merkel pulled back Medo. Jay Spearing delivered the free kick and Jutkiewicz managed to beat the Watford captain to give the home side the lead.
Shortly after the goal, Bolton almost doubled their advantage, again from a free kick. This time Faraoni fouled Davies, Ream delivered the free kick and David Wheater met it in the air, but his effort went over the bar.
However, the home side got the second goal of the game right on half time. This time it was Mason, who had been a threat to the Hornets defence all game, who supplied the finish.
Danns won a header and managed to find Mason inside the box and he made no mistake beating Almunia low to double Bolton`s lead.
Half Time: 2-0
The second half was only a couple of minutes old when Marco Cassetti, who had gone down injured in the first half, had to be replaced with Pudil coming on in his place.
Ekstrand picked up a second yellow for a foul on Danns, meaning he will miss the next two games for the Hornets as it was his 10th booking of the season.
From the resulting free kick, Medo had an effort at goal but it went narrowly wide of the target.
Bolton then had a great chance to make it three. Davies had the first chance but he sliced his effort wide. However Jutkiewicz kept the ball in play and set up Danns, but his effort was well saved by Almunia.
Substitute Ranegie – on in place of Park – almost made an instant impact as he managed to get an effort on goal, however his shot went wide.
Bolton then went up the other end and Tozser was forced to concede a corner. Spearing found Wheater with the cross but his header was saved.
Bolton were looking for the third to kill the game off and this almost came when Jutkiewicz found Danns with a header, but his effort went over the bar.
Murray then saw an attempt go straight at Bogdan, but Faraoni then worked well to win the Golden Boys a corner, which Bolton were able to repel.
Danns then set Mason away one on one with Almunia, but the Watford goalkeeper came out on top to keep the score at 2-0.
Angella brought down substitute Liam Trotter right on the edge of the box in injury time, however Danns’ effort hit the wall and went out for a Bolton throw.
Full Time: 2-0
Bolton Wanderers: Bogdan; Wheater, Mills, Ream, Baptiste; Spearing (c), Pratley (Danns); Mason (Trotter), Davies (Lee), Medo; Jutkiewicz.
Subs Not Used: Lonergan (GK), Knight, Eagles & Hall.
Watford: Almunia (c); Angella, Cassetti (Pudil), Ekstrand; Faraoni, Merkel (Battocchio), Tozser, Murray, Anya; Deeney & Park (Ranegie).
Subs not used: Bond (GK), Belkalem, Doyley & Hoban.
Attendance: 15,179
Referee: Mr F Graham.
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Embarrassing, not my comments, but the words of Almuina, this team is so divided, it can’t really be a team! Am I the only one to think that Ekstrand just doesn’t want to be here? Yesterday’s booking sees him with another 2 game ban and really he dosent offer much when he plays. Let’s get to 52 points and call it a day, next season looks like change again, players leaving, players coming, we need to get a settled side ASAP.
Ekstrand has not had a good season, there’s no denying that. He’s been in and out of form since the early weeks and I can only recall a couple of performances which have been on par with last season’s. Whether or not he wants to be here is kind of hard to judge as an outsider, but there’s no doubt that yesterday’s booking was stupid – for dissent following a foul by him. I’m surprised he’s still being picked when Hoban & Doyley have come back into the side recently and both done very well. At least suspension will open up the door for one of those two in the next two. As for a division in the team, it’s also pretty hard to gauge. I know people will say they’re “not working for one another” or “working as a team”, but I can’t say that personally I see that. I think there are a number of issues, but the bond of the group is not something I’m questioning. Each to their own, though, and let’s face it, we can’t say with any conviction if one view is correct or incorrect. One thing you’re spot-on about in my view though is the summer; I would bet m bottom dollar that we’ll see another summer of ~10 going one way or another & a similar amount arriving. That’s not the way to build a settled group that’s going to challenge for promotion.