Premier League: Stoke 2 Bolton 0

Stoke City took all three points at Britannia Stadium on Saturday courtesy of a 2-0 triumph over Bolton.

In a game with little pattern, Stoke had the better of the first half and caused problems with Rory Delap’s long throws, but had nothing to show for it, with defender Robert Huth off target with a couple of headers.Only a superb tip-over from Bolton keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen denied a Kenwyne Jones volley from a swirling Dean Whitehead cross before Stoke took the lead eight minutes from half-time.In a goalmouth scramble, Danny Higginbotham and four Bolton players tussled for the ball before it was eventually carried over the line by Jaaskelainen, though Higginbotham will surely claim the goal.Bolton’s first, and only decent effort came six minutes into the second half when Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic palmed away Stuart Holden’s free kick. But with the wind at their backs in the second half, Stoke took advantage and went two up in the 63rd minute as Tuncay found space and played a through-ball for Matty Etherington, who was brought down in the box by Zat Knight.Etherington picked himself up to convert the penalty, albeit via the hand of Jaaskelainen and the post. Bolton rallied in the latter stages, but failed to find a decent route to goal.The best they had to show for their efforts were a couple of speculative Sam Ricketts shots to which Begovic was more than equal.