Match report: Bolton 2 West Brom 0

Dec 26 2010 By Eleanor Crooks, Press Association Sport

Goals from Matt Taylor and Johan Elmander gave Bolton a Boxing Day victory over a West Brom side who were made to pay for failing to take their chances.

The Baggies had by far the better of the chances in both halves, with Peter Odemwingie squandering three great opportunities and Chris Brunt heading against a post.

But they simply could not find the net and, after Taylor gave Wanderers the lead with his first goal of the season in the 40th minute, Elmander made the points safe four minutes from time.

Defences were certainly on top in the early stages and it took until the 16th minute for the first shot of the match, Graham Dorrans firing straight at Jussi Jaaskelainen.

Former Baggie Paul Robinson then had to be alert to head away a Somen Tchoyi cross before, as the game opened up, a flowing Bolton move ended with Elmander shooting over the bar when at the very least he should have made Scott Carson work.

West Brom were looking dangerous, though, and, after Tchoyi had sent another effort wide, leading scorer Odemwingie beat the offside trap to latch onto James Morrison's deft chip only to lose his bearings and shoot well wide from eight yards.

The Baggies were certainly on top, though, and they should have gone in front 10 minutes before half-time when Odemwingie again beat the Bolton offside trap.