Premier League: Everton 1 Bolton 2

Not even a remarkable Tim Howard goal could save Everton from slumping to a 2-1 home defeat to strugglers Bolton on Wednesday.

In blustery conditions at Goodison Park, Howard thumped the ball up field and was just as surprised as the 29,561-strong crowd after a wicked bounce sailed over Bolton goalkeeper Adam Bogdan’s head and into the back of the net.

The wind played a big part in the unbelievable goal but it was Everton who were blown away eventually, as goals from David N’Gog and Gary Cahill in the final 30 minutes sealed Bolton’s victory.

Owen Coyle’s Bolton side travelled to Merseyside on the bottom of the table and they were quickly on the back foot.

Landon Donovan was making his first appearance in his second loan spell at Everton and started brightly, with his terrific cross turned wide by Argentine Denis Stracqualarsi while Louis Saha also squandered an early chance.

Leon Osman also fired wide while Everton could have had a penalty when Donovan – who was through on goal – was felled by Sam Ricketts.

The Wanderers nearly scored completely against the run of play, with N’Gog only denied by Howard in first-half stoppage time.

Bolton looked a different side after the break with Howard having to deny Mark Davies and N’Gog with smart stops while Everton manager David Moyes was forced to make his third change, with Jack Rodwell joining Phil Jagielka and Osman in gaining injuries that led to their substitution.

The game’s first goal came on 63 minutes as Howard became just the fourth goalkeeper in Premier League history to score.

With rubbish strewn all over the pitch, the impact the wind was having was clear but no one expected the American to score when his long kick landed deep inside the Bolton half.

Bogdan’s positioning was poor but he was undone by the freak bounce that sent Goodison Park wild.

Bolton – who have picked up 12 of their 16 league points this season on the road – responded though, with N’Gog’s quick feet giving him the chance to score, which he took with aplomb, producing a smart finish.

And with just 12 minutes left, Bolton took the lead as skipper Gary Cahill, who is rumoured to be signing for Chelsea in the coming days, followed up his saved header with a terrific angled finish.

Everton mounted a late surge in the hope of a point and Leighton Baines was unlucky not to equalise when his free-kick hit the bar in stoppage time.

But it was not to be for Everton who remain 11th, while Bolton climbed from last to 18th with Blackburn Rovers replacing them on the bottom.