Meghson hails match-winner Gardner

Published: 02/11/2008

Bolton manager Gary Megson paid tribute to goal-hero Ricardo Gardner after he inspired a 2-0 victory over Manchester City to lift his side out of the Barclays Premier League relegation zone.

The long-serving Jamaica international, 30, replaced the injured Mustapha Riga shortly before half-time and applied the finishing touch to a wicked low cross from Gretar Steinsson in the 77th minute.

It was the Trotters' first goal for five hours and 50 minutes and Gardner then turned provider by crossing for City skipper Richard Dunne to put through his own goal with two minutes remaining.

For Megson - who was verbally abused by his own supporters in the two previous matches - the relief was immense and he was quick to acknowledge the contribution of a man who joined Bolton from Jamaican outfit Harbour View a decade ago.

Megson said: "Bibi (Gardner) is one of the nicest people that you'll ever meet and the only reason he's not been in the side is that Matty Taylor's set-pieces are very good and he gives us a little bit more of a goal threat.

"Bibi came on and we put Matty on to the other side, and Bibi has scored the first goal and made the second. He wasn't out of the team through any other reason than we need to score goals but he's now come in and done that. I'm really pleased."

A chronic lack of firepower has undermined Bolton's efforts all season but this success was based on obstinate defending, the excellent goalkeeping of Jussi Jaaskelainen and Gardner's outstanding personal contribution.

The game looked to be heading towards a dismal stalemate but Gardner arrived to greet Steinsson's low right-wing cross and fire home left-footed off the underside of the crossbar. He then whipped in a vicious low delivery which Dunne contrived to fire into his own net past City goalkeeper Joe Hart.

Megson - who remains unpopular with Bolton supporters despite keeping the club in the top flight against the odds last season - added: "The fans have seen a team really having a go and to be fair, they see that all the time.

"As I've said before, if they're going to abuse anybody, it's better if I get it. "They need to support the team and the support in the second half, when we really had that momentum, was as good as you're going to hear."