Any neutrals among the sell out Reebok Stadium crowd must have anticipated that they were in for a thrilling game after three goals were scored in the opening twenty minutes of the game.

The Wanderers took the lead inside the first five minutes of the game when Jay Jay Okocha rifled a first time shot into the top right hand corner of Shay Given's goal. However, Newcastle equalised almost immediately when England midfielder Kieron Dyer played a through ball to unmarked former England captain Alan Shearer who fired the ball past Jussi Jaaskelainen. On any other day Bolton may have crumbled but not today and the Wanderers regained the lead a couple of minutes later when Ricardo Gardner smashed a left footed free kick into almost exactly the same spot off Given's net that Okocha had hit minutes earlier.

Gardner's goal had the crowd and players bouncing and confidence was sky high although Newcastle did pose a threat on the counter attack as they are a quality side as they proved in the Champions League this season. Bolton always looked like they could score again though and really should've when an unmarked Michael Ricketts nodded the ball wide of the target after a superb cross from full back Anthony Barness. Bolton then had another golden opportunity when first Gudni Bergsson headed the ball against the post then the rebound was flicked away by Shay Given who's touch was vital as a couple of Bolton players were waiting to pounce.

Kieron Dyer then had a goal disallowed for offside before Bolton finally scored their third goal of the afternoon seconds before the half time whistle was sounded when Michael Ricketts headed home at the back post for his second goal in two games. All this after going eleven months without a goal from open play! This goal slightly relaxed Bolton and they went in at half time with both players and fans delighted at the first half performance and hoping for more of the same in the second period.

However, with Bolton you know that no lead is ever safe although even the most cynical Wanderers fan must've felt pretty safe after Ricketts slotted home his second after racing clear of the defence to give a Bolton a 4-1 advantage.

Bolton kept their three goal advantage until twenty minutes from the end when England Under 21 striker Shola Ameobi had a shot deflected into the goal by Kieron Dyer to give the visitors some hope of a comeback. This hope turned into a real possibility when Shearer blasted home his second from thirty yards out with fifteen minutes remaining to prompt a Geordie onslaught on to the Bolton goal. However, Bolton stood firm and got the ball to the other end of the field where Jay Jay Okocha and substitute Kevin Nolan did very well to keep the ball in the corner and win a couple of corner kicks to allow the seconds to tick away along with the help of debutant Delroy Facey.

Both sides contributed to what was a hugely entertaining game and ultimately ended with the right result!

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