In a game that wasn't much of a spectacle, Ricardo Vaz Te's second-half strike proved enough for Bolton to end their Premiership campaign with a 1-0 victory. The opening half was littered with niggly fouls and free-kicks, while the football on offer was typical end-of-season fare. The first decent half-chance came after ten minutes when Bolton striker Kevin Davies tried his luck with a low drive which flew narrowly wide of Maik Taylor's near post. Wanderers probed and tried desperately to create a meaningful opening, but it wasn't until the 20th minute that they caught sight of goal again. This time the ever-alert Kevin Nolan found space but fired a shot wide from 15 yards. Ivan Campo then got in on the act as his deep cross somehow evaded each Bolton team-mate driving into the box, but just beyond the half-hour mark Steve Bruce's already-doomed side finally hit back and created an opportunity of their own. Mario Melchiot then forced a decent save out of Jussi Jaaskelainen in the Bolton goal, but the best passage of play in the opening half came five minutes before the interval. Melchiot upended Davies just outside the penalty box and, from Abdoulaye Faye's pinpoint free-kick Davies lashed in an excellent volley which goalkeeper Taylor saved well. As the half-time whistle approached, Bolton youngster Joey O'Brien tried his luck, but his volley flew inches over the visitors' crossbar with Taylor well beaten. The second half again started with a low tempo, but on 51 minutes Hidetoshi Nakata was unlucky when his fierce shot was bravely blocked by Blues striker Emile Heskey. However, within seconds the Blues were up at the other end with Campbell blasting an effort narrowly wide from 18 yards. Bolton were pressing though, and just beyond the hour mark Nolan saw a shot blocked by Nicky Butt. The goal that almost everyone inside the stadium was craving finally arrived on 65 minutes, and what a neat finish it was. Nolan played substitute Vaz Te in down the right, and he fired home from an angle to finally give the Wanderers fans something to cheer. The home side were clearly boosted by their goal and minutes later Nolan fired in another shot which was blocked this time by Blues defender Martin Taylor. Davies had had a bustling second half too and, with eight minutes remaining, he let fly once more with a shot from the edge of the box which flew just wide. Maik Taylor then had be alert to keep out another shot from Vaz Te, but the best late effort came from fellow sub Jered Borgetti who disappointingly fired wide from a good position with just seconds left.
Steve Bruce made four changes to the side that had drawn 0-0 with Newcastle in their final home game of the season last weekend. Alex Bruce came in for Kenny Cunningham in the centre of defence whilst in midfield Jiri Jarosik and Julian Gray made way for Nicky Butt and Medhi Nafti. Up front Dudley Campbell replaced Mikael Forssell.
There was little for either set of fans to cheer in what turned out to be a dreadful first 45 minutes.
Dudley Campbell found a yard but shot disappointingly wide with his left foot.