Cisse (83)
Sports Direct Arena
Barclays Premier League
(Attendance: 52,264)
Newcastle 2 Bolton 0
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Club Reporter
At the Sports Direct Arena
Newcastle United 2 (Ben Arfa 73, Cisse 83)
Bolton Wanderers 0
A second half wonder goal from Hatem Ben Arfa helped Newcastle United record a 2-0 home win over Bolton Wanderers on Easter Monday.
An uneventful match at the Sports Direct Arena appeared to be heading for a stalemate until the 73rd minute, when the French forward embarked on a mazy dribble from inside his own half before producing a nonchalent finish past Trotters keeper Adam Bogdan.
Prolific striker Papiss Cisse then secured the win with time running out as he tapped home from a couple of yards, to give United their fifth consecutive Premier League win.
The Magpies have now seen off Norwich, West Bromwich Albion, Liverpool, Swansea and Bolton in successive games, and the last time they achieved that feat was in April 2006.
Strugglers Bolton will feel hard done by having matched Newcastle throughout, with Martin Petrov, Chris Eagles and Darren Pratley all threatening for the visitors.
But Ben Arfa will take all the plaudits - and deservedly so - for a goal which will be talked about on Tyneside for years to come.
The opening exchanges of the game saw plenty of huff and puff from both sides, with little end product in the final third, and it took until the 15th minute for the first chance to be created.
Davide Santon's drive towards the edge of the penalty area was halted, as was Danny Simpson's after the full-back had seized on the loose ball, before Yohan Cabaye fired over the top.
At the other end, fit-again United skipper Fabricio Coloccini did well to block an effort from Sam Ricketts, after the Bolton left-back found himself racing into the area with the ball at his feet, while Bolton defender David Wheater glanced a deep corner wide at the far post.
Chances were few and far between, but on 31 minutes Trotters winger Martin Petrov created something out of nothing, weaving past a couple of challenges before smashing a low shot at Krul, which the Dutch stopper did well to gather at the second attempt on a rain-soaked surface.
A couple of minutes later Bolton keeper Adam Bogdan was also called into action, plucking Coloccini's long-range curled strike out of the air before it found its way into the top corner, while the Hungarian youngster was fortunate to escape soon after as he punched a cross against the head of his own defender, with the ball ending up behind for a corner.
In a bid to improve a quiet first-half performance, young left-sided Northern Ireland international Shane Ferguson was introduced at half-time, replacing James Perch.
But it was the visitors who should have finally broken the deadlock three minutes after the restart. United were unable to properly deal with a couple of crosses into the box, and when Chris Eagles jinked into the box and found himself a couple of yards of space, only the legs of Krul prevented the ball from hitting the back of the net.
On 53 minutes, Darren Pratley was inches away from connecting with Petrov's low left-wing cross. The midfielder, sliding in only a couple of yards out, only needed to get the slightest of touches and the visitors would have taken the lead.
Shola Ameobi was Newcastle's next replacement, coming on for Demba Ba, but again it was the visitors who almost struck within seconds of the change. Kevin Davies' hanging cross from the right was allowed to bounce in the middle of the area, and namesake Mark was unable to get a solid enough contact on it, with Krul pouncing on the ball.
A rare second half sight of goal from United saw Hatem Ben Arfa curl a 25-yard free-kick over the wall but agonisingly the wrong side of the upright, with Bogdan seemingly beaten.
It looked as though a moment of brilliance was going to be needed for either side to break through, and that arrived on 73 minutes courtesy of an outstanding individual goal from Ben Arfa.
Receiving the ball well inside his own half, the forward turned away from Ricketts with a superb piece of skill and then proceeded to race towards goal, slaloming past countless challenges before poking the ball past the helpless Bogdan and into the back of the net at the Gallowgate End.
From that point it looked like game over, and all three points were confirmed seven minutes from the end as Cisse netted his tenth goal in United colours - from just nine games.
The goal owed much to the persistence of substitute Ameobi, who outmuscled Bolton defender Tim Ream to race onto a ball over the top from Cabaye, before putting a low cross on a plate for Cisse to tap home.
It was job done for United, who had made hard work of it at times against a tough Bolton side, but despite some late pressure they held out to seccure a fifth successive win - with each of the last three finishing 2-0.
Newcastle United (4-3-3): Tim Krul; Danny Simpson, Mike Williamson, Fabricio Coloccini (c), Davide Santon; Yohan Cabaye, James Perch (Shane Ferguson 46), Jonas Gutierrez; Hatem Ben Arfa (Ryan Taylor 85), Papiss Cisse, Demba Ba (Shola Ameobi 64)
Subs not used: Rob Elliot, James Tavernier, Mehdi Abeid, Dan Gosling
Bolton Wanderers (4-5-1): Adam Bogdan; Gretar Steinsson, David Wheater, Tim Ream, Sam Ricketts; Chris Eagles (Ryo Miyaichi 78), Nigel Reo-Coker, Mark Davies, Darren Pratley (Ivan Klasnic 82), Martin Petrov; Kevin Davies (c) (David Ngog 78)
Subs not used: Jussi Jaaskelainen, Marcos Alonso, Zat Knight, Marvin Sordell
Referee: Mike Jones (Cheshire)
Attendance: 52,264 (1,000 Bolton)
Defending throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Cross by Ryo Miyaichi(Bolton), clearance by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Foul by David Ngog(Bolton) on Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Defending throw-in by Samuel Ricketts(Bolton).
Defending throw-in by Samuel Ricketts(Bolton).
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Cross by Gretar Rafn Steinsson(Bolton), resulting in ball out of play.
Defending throw-in by Samuel Ricketts(Bolton).
Papiss Cisse(Newcastle) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Adam Bogdan(Bolton) from own half, resulting in open play.
Cross by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle), resulting in open play.
Foul by Samuel Ricketts(Bolton) on Papiss Cisse(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) from right channel, resulting in open play.
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Newcastle substitution: Hatem Ben Arfa replaced by Ryan Taylor (tactical).
Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Ryo Miyaichi(Bolton) to centre, header by Gretar Rafn Steinsson(Bolton) from centre of penalty area (12 yards), over the bar.
Cross by Ryo Miyaichi(Bolton), blocked by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Goal by Papiss Cisse(Newcastle) volleyed left-footed (bottom-left of goal) from left side of six-yard box (6 yards).Newcastle 2-0 Bolton. Assist (pass) by Shola Ameobi(Newcastle) from right side of penalty area.
Attacking throw-in by Samuel Ricketts(Bolton).
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Bolton substitution: Darren Pratley replaced by Ivan Klasnic (tactical).
Shot by Martin Petrov(Bolton) drilled left-footed from left channel (20 yards), missed right.
Cross by Papiss Cisse(Newcastle), clearance by Tim Ream(Bolton).
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Papiss Cisse(Newcastle) caught offside. Bolton substitution: Kevin Davies replaced by David Ngog (tactical).Bolton substitution: Chris Eagles replaced by Ryo Miyaichi (injury). Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Adam Bogdan(Bolton) from own half, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Samuel Ricketts(Bolton).
Attacking throw-in by Samuel Ricketts(Bolton).
Foul by Davide Santon(Newcastle) on Chris Eagles(Bolton). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Adam Bogdan(Bolton) from own half, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Cross by Shane Ferguson(Newcastle), blocked by Gretar Rafn Steinsson(Bolton).
Defending throw-in by Samuel Ricketts(Bolton).
Foul by Kevin Davies(Bolton) on Mike Williamson(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Goal by Hatem Ben Arfa(Newcastle) left-footed (bottom-left of goal) from centre of penalty area (12 yards).Newcastle 1-0 Bolton. Assist (pass) by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) from own half.
Goal kick taken long by Adam Bogdan(Bolton).
Foul by David Wheater(Bolton) on Papiss Cisse(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Gretar Rafn Steinsson(Bolton).
Goal kick taken long by Adam Bogdan(Bolton).
Goal kick taken long by Adam Bogdan(Bolton).
Foul by Nigel Reo-Coker(Bolton) on Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle). Nigel Reo-Coker(Bolton) booked for unsporting behaviour. Free kick curled left-footed by Hatem Ben Arfa(Newcastle) from right channel (30 yards), missed right.
Cross by Danny Simpson(Newcastle), clearance by Tim Ream(Bolton).
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Cross by Kevin Davies(Bolton), fantastic shot by Mark Davies(Bolton) volleyed left-footed from left side of six-yard box (6 yards), save (caught) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Gretar Rafn Steinsson(Bolton).
Demba Ba(Newcastle) caught offside. Newcastle substitution: Demba Ba replaced by Shola Ameobi (tactical). Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Adam Bogdan(Bolton) from own half, resulting in open play.
Kevin Davies(Bolton) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Foul by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle) on Martin Petrov(Bolton). Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle) booked for unsporting behaviour. Free kick crossed right-footed by Chris Eagles(Bolton) from left wing, clearance by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle).
Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Chris Eagles(Bolton) to centre, foul by Darren Pratley(Bolton) on Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Papiss Cisse(Newcastle) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by David Wheater(Bolton) from own half, resulting in open play.
Cross by Chris Eagles(Bolton), resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Gretar Rafn Steinsson(Bolton).
Defending throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Samuel Ricketts(Bolton).
Foul by Chris Eagles(Bolton) on Davide Santon(Newcastle). Free kick crossed right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) from left wing, clearance by David Wheater(Bolton).
Cross by Danny Simpson(Newcastle), clearance by David Wheater(Bolton).
Attacking throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Shane Ferguson(Newcastle) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Adam Bogdan(Bolton) from own half, resulting in open play.
Cross by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle), clearance by David Wheater(Bolton).
Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) to centre, clearance by Samuel Ricketts(Bolton).
Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Hatem Ben Arfa(Newcastle) to out of play, resulting in ball out of play.
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Cross by Martin Petrov(Bolton), resulting in ball out of play.
Cross by Chris Eagles(Bolton), clearance by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Samuel Ricketts(Bolton).
Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) to centre, clearance by Samuel Ricketts(Bolton).
Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) to near post, clearance by Darren Pratley(Bolton).
Cross by Shane Ferguson(Newcastle), blocked by Gretar Rafn Steinsson(Bolton).
Attacking throw-in by Gretar Rafn Steinsson(Bolton).
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Shot by Chris Eagles(Bolton) left-footed from centre of penalty area (12 yards), save (with feet) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Shot by Mark Davies(Bolton) volleyed right-footed from centre of penalty area (18 yards), blocked by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle).
Cross by Martin Petrov(Bolton), clearance by Mike Williamson(Newcastle).
Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Chris Eagles(Bolton) to centre, clearance by Shane Ferguson(Newcastle).
Foul by Mike Williamson(Newcastle) on Darren Pratley(Bolton). Free kick crossed right-footed by Chris Eagles(Bolton) from left wing, blocked by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle).
Newcastle substitution: James Perch replaced by Shane Ferguson (tactical).
Attacking throw-in by Gretar Rafn Steinsson(Bolton).
Goal kick taken long by Adam Bogdan(Bolton).
Shot by Hatem Ben Arfa(Newcastle) drilled left-footed from right channel (25 yards), resulting in open play.
Cross by Chris Eagles(Bolton), clearance by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken long by Adam Bogdan(Bolton).
Cross by Hatem Ben Arfa(Newcastle), resulting in ball out of play.
Defending throw-in by Gretar Rafn Steinsson(Bolton).
Foul by Hatem Ben Arfa(Newcastle) on Samuel Ricketts(Bolton). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Adam Bogdan(Bolton) from own half, resulting in open play.
Kevin Davies(Bolton) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Papiss Cisse(Newcastle) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Tim Ream(Bolton) from own half, resulting in open play.
Foul by Kevin Davies(Bolton) on James Perch(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Gretar Rafn Steinsson(Bolton).
Cross by Gretar Rafn Steinsson(Bolton), clearance by Mike Williamson(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Gretar Rafn Steinsson(Bolton).
Cross by Papiss Cisse(Newcastle), clearance by Mark Davies(Bolton).
Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) to centre, save (caught) by Adam Bogdan(Bolton).
Foul by Samuel Ricketts(Bolton) on Papiss Cisse(Newcastle). Free kick crossed left-footed by Hatem Ben Arfa(Newcastle) from right wing, save (punched) by Adam Bogdan(Bolton).
Defending throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Gretar Rafn Steinsson(Bolton).
Goal kick taken long by Adam Bogdan(Bolton).
Cross by Danny Simpson(Newcastle), resulting in ball out of play.
Foul by Tim Ream(Bolton) on Demba Ba(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by James Perch(Newcastle) from left channel, resulting in open play.
Cross by Chris Eagles(Bolton), save (caught) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Cross by Chris Eagles(Bolton), blocked by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Brilliant shot by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle) right-footed from left channel (30 yards), save (caught) by Adam Bogdan(Bolton).
Foul by Nigel Reo-Coker(Bolton) on Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) from left channel, resulting in open play.
Shot by Martin Petrov(Bolton) drilled left-footed from left side of penalty area (18 yards), save (caught) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Shot by Hatem Ben Arfa(Newcastle) drilled left-footed from left channel (25 yards), blocked by David Wheater(Bolton).
Defending throw-in by Samuel Ricketts(Bolton).
Shot by James Perch(Newcastle) drilled right-footed from right channel (25 yards), blocked by David Wheater(Bolton).
Attacking throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Cross by Davide Santon(Newcastle), clearance by David Wheater(Bolton).
Defending throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Samuel Ricketts(Bolton).
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Chris Eagles(Bolton) to centre, header by David Wheater(Bolton) from centre of penalty area (12 yards), missed left.
Cross by Chris Eagles(Bolton), blocked by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Demba Ba(Newcastle) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Adam Bogdan(Bolton) from own half, resulting in open play.
Foul by Darren Pratley(Bolton) on Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Cross by Papiss Cisse(Newcastle), clearance by David Wheater(Bolton).
Cross by Martin Petrov(Bolton), save (caught) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Foul by Darren Pratley(Bolton) on Davide Santon(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, passed.
Outswinging corner from left by-line taken left-footed by Martin Petrov(Bolton) to centre, resulting in open play.
Shot by Samuel Ricketts(Bolton) drilled left-footed from centre of penalty area (18 yards), blocked by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle).
Cross by Chris Eagles(Bolton), clearance by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle).
Cross by Martin Petrov(Bolton), clearance by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle).
Cross by Darren Pratley(Bolton), clearance by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle).
Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) to centre, save (caught) by Adam Bogdan(Bolton).
Cross by Davide Santon(Newcastle), clearance by Gretar Rafn Steinsson(Bolton).
Goal kick taken long by Adam Bogdan(Bolton).
Shot by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) volleyed right-footed from left channel (20 yards), missed right.
Attacking throw-in by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Foul by Kevin Davies(Bolton) on James Perch(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Goal kick taken long by Adam Bogdan(Bolton).
Foul by Nigel Reo-Coker(Bolton) on Demba Ba(Newcastle). Free kick crossed right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) from left wing, resulting in ball out of play.
Goal kick taken long by Adam Bogdan(Bolton).
Cross by Davide Santon(Newcastle), resulting in ball out of play.
Foul by Samuel Ricketts(Bolton) on Hatem Ben Arfa(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Danny Simpson(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Foul by Davide Santon(Newcastle) on Chris Eagles(Bolton). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Chris Eagles(Bolton) from own half, resulting in open play.
Goal kick taken long by Adam Bogdan(Bolton).
Defending throw-in by Nigel Reo-Coker(Bolton).
Foul by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle) on Kevin Davies(Bolton). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Nigel Reo-Coker(Bolton) from right wing, resulting in open play.
Foul by Darren Pratley(Bolton) on Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Shot by Chris Eagles(Bolton) drilled left-footed from right channel (20 yards), blocked by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Samuel Ricketts(Bolton).
Foul by Kevin Davies(Bolton) on Mike Williamson(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Foul by James Perch(Newcastle) on Darren Pratley(Bolton). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Gretar Rafn Steinsson(Bolton) from own half, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Martin Petrov(Bolton).
Cross by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle), clearance by Tim Ream(Bolton).
Cross by Chris Eagles(Bolton), clearance by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Gretar Rafn Steinsson(Bolton).