Speed Admits Bolton Fortunate

By Mark Heys
September 19 2005

Yesterday's matchwinner Gary Speed says that Bolton can count themselves fortunate to have won the Premiership game away at Manchester City.

Speed struck home a penalty in injury time of yesterday's local derby to give the Wanderers a 1-0 win after City's Richard Dunne had clumsily handled Henrik Pedersen's chipped cross in the area.

The Welsh midfielder says that the Blues were the victims of rotten bit of luck in the end having dominated the game for so long, but he draws comparisons to the recent Bolton game against old club Everton when the Trotters were well on top only to see Marcus Bent sneak a 1-0 win for the Toffees.

"Manchester City have got to count themselves very unfortunate, but that's football and it happened to us at home against Everton earlier in the season when we dominated the game and created lots of chances but lost." Speed explained

"City hit the bar four or five times and we were probably lucky to stay in it but if you keep a clean sheet - especially away from home - you are always in with a chance.

"The gaffer keeps drumming in to us about clean sheets and that's three out of six now. Against City it was the perfect example with nicking a goal in the last minute.

The seasoned professional is well aware that the club has not put in the performances that the recent results suggest, but he feels that Bolton can sustain their place in the top six if they step up their performances again.

"We haven't played particularly well over the last two games but if you are getting results when you are not playing well then that's a bonus. When we start playing well then hopefully we can stay up there in the top six."