West Brom 2 Bolton 1: Full time report and pictures

Nov 19 2011

Shane Long justified his quickfire return to action after injury by heading West Brom's winner in the Barclays Premier League clash with Bolton at the Hawthorns.

Albion had feared the Republic of Ireland striker would be out for up to eight weeks with a knee injury but he was back after a month to earn his side a first win over the Trotters in seven years.

Jerome Thomas had given the Baggies the lead but then conceded the penalty which enabled Ivan Klasnic to level for the visitors.

Long's winner helped him to make up for the disappointment of being unavailable for his country's Euro 2012 play-off triumph against Estonia.

He looked sharp after his lay-off and troubled Bolton with his pace, tireless running and non-stop energy. Playmaker Zoltan Gera also impressed in his first home start since a summer return from Fulham while Youssouf Mulumbu anchored the midfield.

Bolton had looked dangerous in the opening 45 minutes and full of confidence after the 5-0 home win over Stoke.

But they were second best after the break despite a battling display from Fabrice Muamba in the centre of the park and remain in the bottom three.

The visitors made a positive start and Chris Eagles was only just too high with a dipping volley from a narrow angle.

Bolton keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen palmed away a header from Jonas Olsson who was first to react to a Chris Brunt corner. Mulumbu cleared a header from Bolton defender Gary Cahill off the line after he had been left unmarked at a Joe Riley corner.