St. James' Park
Barclays Premier League
(Attendance: 48,062)
Newcastle United 1 Bolton Wanderers 1
By Anthony Marshall, at St. James' Park
Newcastle United 1 (Nolan 12)
Bolton Wanderers 1 (Sturridge 39)
Newcastle picked up an important point at home to Bolton this afternoon with a 1-1 draw, having played the final 35 minutes with 10 men.
Ryan Taylor was sent off early in the second half for a late lunge on Johan Elmander, but the hosts saw out the remainder of the game to move ever closer to guaranteeing their top flight status for another season.
However, the Magpies will have felt that they should have been out of sight by the time the sending off occurred, but they squandered a number of good first half chances.
As it was, Kevin Nolan's 11th goal of the season was cancelled out just before half-time by Daniel Sturridge, with the Bolton man firing home from the edge of the area after a rare Cheick Tiote error.
The home side suffered a set-back before the game had even kicked off, with influential midfielder Joey Barton suffering an injury in the warm-up. He was replaced on the right hand side of midfield by Ryan Taylor, with Shane Ferguson coming on to the bench.
But Newcastle didn't seem to be affected by that blow and came close to opening the scoring inside five minutes. When Ryan Taylor was fouled in the middle of the park, referee Chris Foy played a good advantage and Jonas Gutierrez strode through the middle of the park.
The Argentine slipped the ball right to Leon Best, who cut inside and curled a low effort inches past the far post.
The same players were involved just minutes later as only some desperate last-ditch defending denied Best. Gutierrez fed the front man inside the box and he twisted and turned past challenges before his eventual effort was well blocked by the Bolton rearguard.
Peter Lovenkrands wanted in on the action and forced Jussi Jaaskelainen into action in the 12th minute, cleverly flicking an effort towards the near post until the keeper's intervention.
But it was from the resulting corner that they finally broke the deadlock. Although the initial delivery was too deep, Cheick Tiote rescued the ball and his cross was glanced home by the head of Nolan against his former employers.
And although the midfielder - who now has 11 goals to his name this season - started to perform his trademark funky chicken celebration, he soon cut it short in respect for his time at Bolton.
A Steve Harper mistake in the 26th minute almost gifted the visitors an equaliser. The stopper shanked his kick straight to the feet of Johan Elmander, who in turn played through Daniel Sturridge.
The on-loan Chelsea striker raced into the area, but miscued under pressure as he pulled the trigger and fired wide.
Newcastle raced straight up the other end though and almost made them pay with goal number two. Jose Enrique was afforded time and space to gallop forward and when his dangerous was fumbled by Jaaskelainen, the follow-up shot from Best was brilliantly blocked by David Wheater.
But for all their pressure, the Magpies couldn't find a second and six minutes before the break Bolton grabbed an equaliser.
Tiote's misplaced pass to Enrique was cut out by Elmander, who quickly fed Sturridge, and the striker took a touch before drilling a low left-footed effort past the reach of Harper.
If Newcastle's confidence was dented by that leveller it didn't show as the sides came out for the second half. The home side were on top again in the early stages, with Enrique and Gutierrez both forcing Jaaskelainen into saves after raids down the left flank.
Bolton centre-back Gary Cahill almost edged them ahead, however in the 52nd minutes, latching on to a Kevin Davies' flick before rifling a low shot straight at Harper.
Alan Pardew's side were dealt a second blow of the afternoon just two minutes later. Ryan Taylor, so impressive on his return to first team action, took a heavy touch in the middle of the park before launching into a challenge on Elmander.
The midfielder was late and referee Chris Foy had no hesitation in producing a straight red card for the player who was only brought into the starting line-up at very short notice.
Wanderers went straight on the attack in an attempt to make the most of their numerical advantage, and winger Martin Petrov stung the palms of Harper from distance.
But if anyome thought Newcastle would try and just sit on a point and try to wind the game down, then they were mistaken - as shown by Pardew's double substitution midway through the half.
Switching to a 3-4-2 formation, Steven Taylor and Nile Ranger were introduced for Gutierrez and Lovenkrands as they still thought a winner could be on the cards.
That almost arrived on 71 minutes when the two subs combined - Steven Taylor racing down the right to send a hanging cross over, where Ranger rose above Jaaskelainen but could only head off target.
It was becoming end to end stuff and Nolan was forced to clear Petrov's cross-cum-shot from almost underneath his own bar as the visitors threw everything forward.
Elmander lashed over the top from a tight angle, while at the other end efforts from Enrique and Nolan ended with exactly the same outcome.
Ranger thought he had won it for the Magpies deep into stoppage time when he beat Jaaskelainen to Enrique's cross and headed in, but the linesman's flag denied him what would have been a truly memorable goal.
Newcastle United (4-4-2): Steve Harper; Danny Simpson, Mike Williamson, Fabricio Coloccini, Jose Enrique; Ryan Taylor, Cheick Tiote, Kevin Nolan (c), Jonas Gutierrez (Steven Taylor 67); Leon Best (Shefki Kuqi 90), Peter Lovenkrands (Nile Ranger 67)
Subs not used: Tim Krul, James Perch, Sol Campbell, Shane Ferguson
Bolton (4-4-2): Jussi Jaaskelainen; Paul Robinson, David Wheater, Gary Cahill, Marcos Alonso; Johan Elmander, Fabrice Muamba (Mark Davies 79), Stuart Holden, Martin Petrov (Matthew Taylor 85); Kevin Davies (c), Daniel Sturridge
Subs not used: Adam Bogdan, Gretar Steinsson, Rodrigo, Chung-Yong Lee, Ivan Klasnic
Referee: Chris Foy
Attendance: 48,062 (1,623 Bolton fans)
Nile Ranger(Newcastle) caught offside. Direct free kick taken left-footed by Matthew Taylor(Bolton) from own half, resulting in open play.
Goal kick taken long by Jussi Jaaskelainen(Bolton).
Newcastle substitution: Leon Best replaced by Shefki Kuqi (tactical).
Leon Best(Newcastle) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken left-footed by David Wheater(Bolton) from own half, passed.
Shot by Kevin Nolan(Newcastle) right-footed from left channel (25 yards), missed left. Goal kick taken long by Jussi Jaaskelainen(Bolton).
Marcos Alonso(Bolton) booked for unsporting behaviour.Bolton substitution: Martin Petrov replaced by Matthew Taylor (tactical). Foul by Marcos Alonso(Bolton) on Cheik Tiote(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Steve Harper(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Shot by Sanchez Jose Enrique(Newcastle) left-footed from left channel (25 yards), missed left. Goal kick taken long by Jussi Jaaskelainen(Bolton).
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Foul by Gary Cahill(Bolton) on Nile Ranger(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Cheik Tiote(Newcastle) from left channel, resulting in open play.
Bolton substitution: Fabrice Muamba replaced by Mark Davies (tactical).
Shot by Johan Elmander(Bolton) right-footed from right channel (18 yards), missed right. Goal kick taken long by Steve Harper(Newcastle).
Foul by Gary Cahill(Bolton) on Nile Ranger(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Cheik Tiote(Newcastle) from right channel, resulting in open play.
Header by Martin Petrov(Bolton) from centre of penalty area (6 yards), save (tipped round post) by Steve Harper(Newcastle). Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Martin Petrov(Bolton) to centre, resulting in ball out of play. Goal kick taken long by Steve Harper(Newcastle).
Header by Kevin Davies(Bolton) from centre of penalty area (6 yards), save (tipped round post) by Steve Harper(Newcastle). Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Martin Petrov(Bolton) to centre, resulting in open play.
Goal kick taken long by Jussi Jaaskelainen(Bolton).
Defending throw-in by Mike Williamson(Newcastle).
Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Martin Petrov(Bolton) to far post, clearance by Nile Ranger(Newcastle). Shot by Marcos Alonso(Bolton) left-footed from right channel (25 yards), missed left. Goal kick taken long by Steve Harper(Newcastle).
Foul by Leon Best(Newcastle) on David Wheater(Bolton). Direct free kick taken left-footed by David Wheater(Bolton) from own half, passed.
Cross by Steven Taylor(Newcastle), header by Nile Ranger(Newcastle) from left side of six-yard box (6 yards), missed left. Goal kick taken long by Jussi Jaaskelainen(Bolton).
Defending throw-in by Steven Taylor(Newcastle).
Cross by Paul Robinson(Bolton), save (caught) by Steve Harper(Newcastle).
Foul by David Wheater(Bolton) on Cheik Tiote(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Cheik Tiote(Newcastle) from right channel, resulting in open play.
Newcastle substitution: Peter Lovenkrands replaced by Nile Ranger (tactical).
Newcastle substitution: Jonas Gutierrez replaced by Steven Taylor (tactical).
Goal kick taken long by Steve Harper(Newcastle).
Foul by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle) on Stuart Holden(Bolton). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Marcos Alonso(Bolton) from own half, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Marcos Alonso(Bolton).
Cross by Martin Petrov(Bolton), clearance by Danny Simpson(Newcastle). Attacking throw-in by Marcos Alonso(Bolton).
Attacking throw-in by Marcos Alonso(Bolton).
Shot by Martin Petrov(Bolton) left-footed from left channel (25 yards), save (blocked) by Jussi Jaaskelainen(Bolton).
Shot by Martin Petrov(Bolton) left-footed from left channel (25 yards), attacking throw-in by Marcos Alonso(Bolton).Save (blocked) by Jussi Jaaskelainen(Bolton).
Attacking throw-in by Marcos Alonso(Bolton).
David Wheater(Bolton) booked for unsporting behaviour. Shot by Johan Elmander(Bolton) right-footed from right channel (18 yards), foul by David Wheater(Bolton) on Leon Best(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Danny Simpson(Newcastle) from right channel, resulting in open play.
Goal kick taken long by Steve Harper(Newcastle). Foul by Cheik Tiote(Newcastle) on Daniel Sturridge(Bolton). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Daniel Sturridge(Bolton) from left channel, resulting in open play.
Cross by Martin Petrov(Bolton), clearance by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle). Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Martin Petrov(Bolton) to centre, resulting in open play.
Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) dismissed for violent conduct. Foul by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) on Johan Elmander(Bolton). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Paul Robinson(Bolton) from own half, resulting in open play. Header by Gary Cahill(Bolton) from centre of penalty area (6 yards), save (caught) by Steve Harper(Newcastle).
Cross by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle), clearance by David Wheater(Bolton).
Defending throw-in by Sanchez Jose Enrique(Newcastle).
Shot by Gary Cahill(Bolton) right-footed from right channel (20 yards), save (parried) by Jussi Jaaskelainen(Bolton).
Attacking throw-in by Marcos Alonso(Bolton).
Shot by Marcos Alonso(Bolton) left-footed from left channel (25 yards), over the bar. Goal kick taken long by Steve Harper(Newcastle).
Cross by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle), save (caught) by Jussi Jaaskelainen(Bolton).
Shot by Sanchez Jose Enrique(Newcastle) right-footed from left side of penalty area (12 yards), save (parried) by Jussi Jaaskelainen(Bolton). Peter Lovenkrands(Newcastle) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Jussi Jaaskelainen(Bolton) from own half, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Sanchez Jose Enrique(Newcastle).
Cross by Marcos Alonso(Bolton), resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Marcos Alonso(Bolton).
Defending throw-in by Marcos Alonso(Bolton).
Defending throw-in by Paul Robinson(Bolton).
Attacking throw-in by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Shot by Johan Elmander(Bolton) right-footed from centre of penalty area (12 yards), blocked by Kevin Nolan(Newcastle). Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Martin Petrov(Bolton) to centre, clearance by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle).
Shot by Cheik Tiote(Newcastle) right-footed from right channel (25 yards), over the bar.
Cross by Sanchez Jose Enrique(Newcastle), resulting in open play.
Shot by Fabrice Muamba(Bolton) left-footed from left channel (25 yards), save (caught) by Jussi Jaaskelainen(Bolton).
Attacking throw-in by Paul Robinson(Bolton).
Defending throw-in by Paul Robinson(Bolton).
Cross by Martin Petrov(Bolton), resulting in open play.
Goal by Daniel Sturridge(Bolton) left-footed (bottom-right of goal) from centre of penalty area (12 yards).Newcastle 1-1 Bolton. Assist (pass) by Johan Elmander(Bolton) from right channel.
Foul by Paul Robinson(Bolton) on Peter Lovenkrands(Newcastle). Free kick taken right-footed by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) curled from left channel (25 yards), over the bar. Goal kick taken long by Jussi Jaaskelainen(Bolton).
Goal kick taken long by Steve Harper(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Paul Robinson(Bolton).
Foul by Cheik Tiote(Newcastle) on Daniel Sturridge(Bolton). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Paul Robinson(Bolton) from right channel, resulting in open play.
Peter Lovenkrands(Newcastle) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Paul Robinson(Bolton) from own half, resulting in open play.
Defending throw-in by Sanchez Jose Enrique(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Marcos Alonso(Bolton).
Foul by Martin Petrov(Bolton) on Kevin Nolan(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle) from right channel, passed.
Defending throw-in by Sanchez Jose Enrique(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Paul Robinson(Bolton).
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Shot by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) left-footed from left channel (20 yards), blocked by Stuart Holden(Bolton). Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) to centre, header by Mike Williamson(Newcastle) from centre of penalty area (6 yards), save (caught) by Jussi Jaaskelainen(Bolton). Shot by Johan Elmander(Bolton) right-footed from right channel (20 yards), missed right. Goal kick taken long by Steve Harper(Newcastle).
Foul by Paul Robinson(Bolton) on Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) from left wing, header by Leon Best(Newcastle) from right side of penalty area (12 yards), missed left. Goal kick taken long by Jussi Jaaskelainen(Bolton).
Defending throw-in by Sanchez Jose Enrique(Newcastle).
Cross by Sanchez Jose Enrique(Newcastle), shot by Leon Best(Newcastle) left-footed from centre of penalty area (12 yards), blocked by David Wheater(Bolton).
Shot by Daniel Sturridge(Bolton) right-footed from right side of penalty area (18 yards), missed right. Goal kick taken long by Steve Harper(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Sanchez Jose Enrique(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Paul Robinson(Bolton).
Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) to far post, resulting in ball out of play. Goal kick taken long by Jussi Jaaskelainen(Bolton).
Foul by Fabrice Muamba(Bolton) on Ryan Taylor(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) from left channel, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Sanchez Jose Enrique(Newcastle).
Leon Best(Newcastle) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Jussi Jaaskelainen(Bolton) from own half, resulting in open play.
Foul by Kevin Davies(Bolton) on Sanchez Jose Enrique(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Steve Harper(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Leon Best(Newcastle) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Jussi Jaaskelainen(Bolton) from own half, resulting in open play.
Defending throw-in by Marcos Alonso(Bolton).
Cross by Sanchez Jose Enrique(Newcastle), resulting in ball out of play.
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken long by Jussi Jaaskelainen(Bolton).
Daniel Sturridge(Bolton) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Mike Williamson(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Shot by Daniel Sturridge(Bolton) right-footed from right channel (18 yards),
Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) to centre, resulting in open play. Foul by Kevin Nolan(Newcastle) on Stuart Holden(Bolton). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Jussi Jaaskelainen(Bolton) from own half, resulting in open play.
Headed goal by Kevin Nolan(Newcastle) (bottom-right of goal) from left side of penalty area (6 yards).Newcastle 1-0 Bolton. Cross by Danny Simpson(Newcastle), shot by Peter Lovenkrands(Newcastle) left-footed from centre of penalty area (12 yards), missed right. Goal kick taken long by Jussi Jaaskelainen(Bolton). Assist (cross) by Cheik Tiote(Newcastle) from left wing.
Headed goal by Kevin Nolan(Newcastle) (bottom-right of goal) from left side of penalty area (6 yards).Newcastle 1-0 Bolton. Cross by Danny Simpson(Newcastle), shot by Peter Lovenkrands(Newcastle) left-footed from centre of penalty area (12 yards), goal kick taken long by Jussi Jaaskelainen(Bolton). Assist (cross) by Cheik Tiote(Newcastle) from left wing.Save (caught) by Jussi Jaaskelainen(Bolton).
Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Martin Petrov(Bolton) to centre, save (caught) by Steve Harper(Newcastle).
Cross by Marcos Alonso(Bolton), resulting in ball out of play. Goal kick taken long by Steve Harper(Newcastle).
Cross by Martin Petrov(Bolton), shot by Stuart Holden(Bolton) right-footed from centre of penalty area (12 yards), blocked by Mike Williamson(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Cross by Sanchez Jose Enrique(Newcastle), clearance by David Wheater(Bolton).
Goal kick taken long by Steve Harper(Newcastle).
Shot by Daniel Sturridge(Bolton) left-footed from left channel (35+ yards), missed left. Goal kick taken long by Steve Harper(Newcastle).
Foul by Kevin Davies(Bolton) on Cheik Tiote(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Steve Harper(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Goal kick taken long by Jussi Jaaskelainen(Bolton).
Shot by Leon Best(Newcastle) left-footed from right side of penalty area (20 yards), missed right.
Attacking throw-in by Sanchez Jose Enrique(Newcastle).
Foul by Leon Best(Newcastle) on Paul Robinson(Bolton). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Jussi Jaaskelainen(Bolton) from own half, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Paul Robinson(Bolton).
Cross by Martin Petrov(Bolton), clearance by Danny Simpson(Newcastle). Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Stuart Holden(Bolton) to near post, comfortable save by Steve Harper(Newcastle).