Fabregas enjoys happy return at Bolton

Cesc Fabregas marked his return to the Arsenal side in style by scoring in a 2-0 win away to Bolton Wanderers that moved the Gunners to within three points of Premier League leaders Chelsea.

Fabregas opened the scoring with a goal typical of Arsenal at their attacking best in the 26th minute before fellow Spaniard Fran Merida sealed a win 12 minutes from time that ensured Owen Coyle’s first match as Bolton manager ended in defeat.

The former Burnley manager was unveiled as Gary Megson’s successor last week and was presented to the crowd before the game but the limelight was stolen by Gunners captain Fabregas, who opened the scoring and set up the second goal.

Fabregas had missed Arsenal’s three previous matches with a hamstring problem but the break did not appear to have done him any harm as he ran the show for the visitors.

Coyle almost enjoyed a dream start after just 45 seconds as intelligent play down the right wing from Lee Chung-Yong enabled Kevin Davies to dribble into the box but he could not control the ball and the chance went begging.

The match ebbed and flowed with neither side making progress until Fabregas went down heavily in the box courtesy of a challenge from Jussi Jaaskelainen but referee Phil Dowd ruled out Arsenal’s penalty appeals.

Bolton, who won’t have long to wait for a chance of revenge when they face Arsenal at the Emirates on Wednesday, had clearly been bolstered by the arrival of their new manager and had several good chances but they came to nothing.

Tamir Cohen shot wastefully over the bar when well placed in front of goal after 20 minutes and an Ivan Klasnic effort soon after also did little to worry Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia.

Bolton matched Arsenal in terms of possession and attacking intent but lacked the refinement required to make the most of their opportunities and Arsenal made them pay for that shortly before the half-hour mark.

Abou Diaby was tackled by Gretar Steinsson on the edge of the box but the Icelandic defender tripped and gifted the ball to Fabregas who, after collecting a wonderful return pass from Eduardo, calmly slotted into the bottom-left corner.

Fabregas was at the heart of everything for Arsenal and had a further decent penalty appeal turned down when Zat Knight clipped him.

But Bolton’s players thought he dived and wrought their own justice two minutes later when goalkeeper Paul Robinson was booked for a clattering challenge on the Spain midfielder.

It was all getting very heated and moments after Robinson’s yellow card, Arsenal’s Tomas Rosicky was booked for lashing out at Ivan Klasnic.

Bolton looked much brighter after the re-start as South Korea’s Lee consistently caused trouble down the right wing.

Matt Taylor also played in a more advanced role but he missed a glorious chance in the 60th minute as he blasted over when totally unmarked.

Taylor then wasted another fine opportunity to get the home side back on level terms when, with 20 minutes to go, he opted to shoot from distance rather than run on goal even though he was completely unmarked.

Bolton were made to pay when substitute Merida made the most of some indifferent defending to double Arsenal’s advantage.

Fabregas was again the instigator as he charged forward and found Eduardo and although his cross was headed away by Knight, it fell straight to the feet of Merida, whose finish was unerring.