Elmander the man as Bolton beat Boro

Bolton grabbed a 3-1 win over hosts Middlesbrough at the Riverside on Saturday as club record signing Johan Elmander finally got back on the scoresheet.

Trotters boss Gary Megson paid French club Toulouse 10 million pounds for the Sweden striker in June, but the 27-year-old had failed to score in nine games since notching in the opening game of the season.

However, his stunning strike against Boro will have proved his ability to doubting Bolton fans.

The result brought an end to Middlesbrough's six-game unbeaten run in the English Premier League and meant they dropped three places to 11th, while Bolton stay 13th but now have a five-point cushion above the relegation zone.

The visitors were quickly 2-0 ahead after Iceland defender Gretar Rafn Steinsson headed in Matthew Taylor's free kick in the eighth minute and set up Taylor to score two minutes later.

Boro's Emanuel Pogatetz gave the hosts hope with a goal 13 minutes from time but within a minute Elmander ensured the points for Bolton with an impressive strike.