Everton kept faith with the team that produced such a spirited second half display against Manchester United. It proved a good move by Moyes as the Toffees won in a scrappy affair at the Reebok stadium thanks to a last minute header by the man of the moment Marouane Fellaini.

On a freezing cold night in a half empty Reebok stadium (bar the away end), referee Phil Dowd blew his whistle and the game was underway. A very scrappy untidy game was perhaps to be expected; two out of form teams desperate not to lose, and hopeful of a win in any shape or form.

The first twenty minutes were dominated by some silky Everton passing, but for all the possession the Blues couldn’t muster up a goal. There were a few half chances, Saha with both. The first attempt had the ball in the back of the net, only for it to be ruled out due to a handball by Yakubu in the build up. The second was a ferocious shot from outside the area down Jasskelainen’s throat; the Wanderers’ keeper did well to hold onto it.

Bolton failed to really threaten; they only created a few long-range efforts and failed to trouble Howard in the Everton goal. The lack of chances was worrying for a Bolton side that now lie in 19th place. It could have got worse for them before half time if Fellaini had managed to keep his header down from a Phil Neville cross. Phil Dowd’s long blast of the whistle signalled the end of a rather dull first half.

The second half was not much better. In the first 20 minutes neither team managed to create much. Scrappy passing and long-range efforts were the served up. Miidway through the second half Moyes had seen enough. He introduced Tim Cahill for Yakubu to try to snatch a late goal. Yakubu and his strike partner Saha had been ineffective all night. They need to realise that hard work shouldn’t just be saved for the likes of United, they need to turn up week in week out.

Bolton picked up slightly in the final third of the game, creating a few chances that really could have ruined the evening for Moyes’ men. Elmander had a chance put wide, Matthew Taylor got too much on a shot that he needed to guide into the bottom corner. Riga in the 80th minute nearly bagged the winner, only for Howard to save and keep his clean sheet intact.

With 20 seconds left on the clock, we witnessed the winner. Pienaar down the right just about got a ball in, and that man Fellaini, wandering in unmarked and managed to guide his header in via the post. Cue pandemonium. Fans jumped the hoardings to hug Fellaini (not that I condone such behaviour!) and supporters hugged each other in jubilation – no team celebrates a goal quite a vociferously as our support. Everton needed to hold on just for a few more minutes. Anichebe could have put the game to bed but his lack of composure let him down.

Phil Dowds long blast of the whistle for the fourth time in the evening and Everton had won their third game of the season. The first clean sheet for the toffees this season helped them up to 12th in the league, and now a home game against Fulham this weekend is looks very tasty. Although a brace from Andy Johnson last night could spark a goal spree from the ex Everton man.

I’d also like to add it was a nice touch from Neville at the end, bring Fellaini over to the away support to accept his plaudits. Mo looks to be settling in nicely now after a rocky start and could be a massive player for the Blues both now and in the coming years.

FE player ratings:

• 24 Howard 6
• 18 Neville 7
• 04 Yobo 6
• 06 Jagielka 7
• 05 Lescott 6
• 10 Arteta 6
• 25 Fellaini 8
• 21 Osman 6
• 20 Pienaar 7
• 22 Yakubu 7
• 09 Saha 6
• 17 (63) Cahill 7

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