By Matt Lawton
May 11 2002

Bolton Wanderers today fell to a 2-1 defeat away to West Ham United on the final day of the Premiership season after a last minute winner from Hammers' defender Ian Pearce. It was a day of celebration for the travelling Wanderers faithful, relieved at the prospect of Premiership safety before the final day.
Bolton fell behind to a goal from former Manchester City midfielder Steve Lomas on the stroke of half time but equalised late on through a deflected free kick from World Cup winner Youri Djorkaeff but the Hammers stole the points with Pearce's late goal. Djorkaeff hit the base of the post with a free kick only minutes earlier but made no mistake with the aid of a deflection, World Cup bound England goalkeeper David James was deceived by the deflection and palmed the ball with both hands into his own net.
That goal has cost Bolton a possible £1.8million but that won't matter much to either the Bolton board or manager Sam Allardyce, both delighted that the Trotters stayed in the Premiership despite many predicting a quick return to the First Division.
West Ham finish the season in seventh place while the Wanderers are safe after finishing in sixteenth place.