By Phil McNulty
Chief football writer at the Reebok Stadium
Owen Coyle was subjected to a barrage of abuse from the Burnley fans who once idolised him - but his discomfort was eased as Bolton secured a vital victory that sent his former club into the Premier League’s bottom three.
Coyle was the hero of Turf Moor less than a month ago after guiding them to the top flight, but his defection to nearby Bolton has soured the relationship and he received a hostile reception from 5,000 travelling fans inside the Reebok Stadium.
Bolton answered the taunts aimed at their new boss by giving him his first league win as Chung-Yong Lee’s goal, scored off the underside of the bar after 35 minutes, secured a crucial three points to leave Coyle’s successor Brian Laws still searching for his first victory.
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“[It was an awful game, both teams looked nervous. Bolton tried to play too narrow, but it doesn’t matter, we won!](http://www.paklinks.com/gs/add url here)”
Loyal_Wanderer
The Burnley supporters made their feelings clear about their one-time manager even before kick-off, with chants of “Judas” and a succession of banners - none of them flattering.
One read “Never Forgotten, Never Forgiven” and another was laced with Monty Python humour with the message “He’s Not The Messiah. He’s A Very Naughty Boy.”
Naughty boy or not, Coyle emerged to a dazzle of flashlights from cameramen gathered around his technical area - then kept a low profile as Bolton went about the main business of securing the result that moved them out of the relegation places at Burnley’s expense.
And it was a win Coyle’s side deserved as they achieved their first clean sheet in the league this season and left Burnley with only one point from a possible 36 on their travels.
Coyle, perhaps unwisely, ventured on to the pitch at the final whistle to sympathise with his beaten former players and applaud the Burnley fans - the gesture was not appreciated.
Bolton created the better opportunities, while Burnley failed to make the most of any possession they enjoyed, their plans admittedly not helped by the early loss of Chris McCann and Graham Alexander to injury.
It was clear long before the start that Coyle would be on the receiving end of a fearsome reception from a welcoming committee of away fans packed into one end of the Reebok Stadium. And so it proved.
Burnley’s hopes of embarrassing their former manager were shaken by two injury setbacks early on when McCann and the influential Alexander went off injured, to be replaced by Kevin McDonald and Martin Paterson.
Alexander had already demonstrated his importance by creating an opportunity for Michael Duff, but his rising drive posed no threat to Bolton keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen.
And Bolton almost took advantage of uncertainty in Burnley’s defence after the reshuffle when Fabrice Muamba raced clear, but casually lifted his finish over the onrushing Brian Jensen and off target.
Gary Cahill then headed narrowly off target as Bolton pressed for the opener, but Burnley had opportunities of their own. Steven Fletcher brought a smart save from Jaaskelainen, with Chris Eagles unable to profit from the rebound.
Bolton took the lead after 35 minutes when Lee ran on to Kevin Davies’ flick, scoring via the underside of the crossbar. Burnley made token protests claiming the ball had not crossed the line, but the decision was a correct one.
Burnley attempted to apply some pressure as half-time approached, with Christian Kalvenes shooting wide and Eagles ending a clever run with a shot that was deflected for a corner.
Bolton carried the momentum after the break as Jensen made a fortuitous block as his near post from Matt Taylor’s flick and Tamir Cohen headed wide after a long throw caused confusion in the Burnley penalty area.
Burnley boss Laws tried to inject fresh impetus by introducing new loan signing Frederic Nimani from Monaco for Eagles with 25 minutes left.
It had little or no effect and Burnley’s lack of potency will have proved a serious concern for Laws, with only Jensen’s excellent save from substitute Ricardo Gardner stopping Bolton from giving the scoreline a more emphatic appearance.