Bolton 3 Reading 0

Sammy Lee was celebrating his first victory as Bolton manager as his charges defied poor form to belt Reading 3-0 at Reebok Stadium.

Five games in to his tenure since taking over from Sam Allardyce, the former Liverpool coach saw his team secure a crucial win thanks to goals from Gary Speed, Nicolas Anelka and substitute Daniel Braaten.

After losing three on the trot, Lee knew it was imperative they had to take something from this Barclays Premier League match but Lee must have been encouraged at seeing Bolton raise its game after losing to Newcastle, Fulham and Portsmouth in quick succession.

The Trotters set the tempo from the start and Reading found it difficult to handle Anelka and El-Hadji Diouf.

The two players showed good skill as well as pace and movement to continually trouble their opponents.

Diouf released Gavin McCann with a clever reverse ball in the sixth minute.

The midfielder, though, failed to make the most of the opening after a poor first touch and Ulises de la Cruz was able to clear.

Two minutes later, Anelka broke clear only for Reading's Andre Bikey to block his effort.

Bolton almost took the lead in the 24th minute when Anelka fired in a powerful shot only for goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann to make a superb save.

The ball broke to Diouf but Bikey was able to make another good block much to Reading's relief.

Bolton made the breakthrough after 31 minutes thanks to veteran midfielder Speed.

Making his 525th Premier League appearance, he beat Bryn Gunnarsson to the ball when Diouf delivered the corner and found the net with a firm header.

Speed, 38 next month, continues to defy the years and it was his speed of thought that enabled him to find the target.

Bolton was growing in confidence and McCann tested Hahnemann in the 48th minute following a neat one-two with Diouf.

Reading hit back in the 53rd minute and De la Cruz carved out an opening for himself in the area.

However, he hurried his effort and saw it nestle in the sidenetting much to his frustration.

It was a brief respite for Reading as a minute later Anelka raced forward and whipped in 25-yard shot that went narrowly wide of the post.

Reading, however, failed to heed the warning and the France striker extended Bolton's lead in the 55th minute.

Released by Diouf he managed to evade a weak challenge from De la Cruz to score his third goal in four games.

Bolton was spraying the ball around productively and Diouf delivered a superb cross in the 61st minute that Golbourne did well to head away.

Anelka found the net again in the 64th minute following good work by Kevin Nolan but his effort was ruled out for an infringement.

Bolton continued to dominate the game and Nolan saw a superb volley go narrowly wide of the post in the 81st minute.

Three minutes later, Anelka got on the end of a free-kick from Diouf but Hahnemann was able to take his header cleanly.

Braaten, though, eventually added a third for Bolton in stoppage time with a clinical finish following a superb cross from Anelka.

It was his first goal for the club since arriving from Rosenborg in the summer and he savoured the moment.

The Norwegian's effort capped a fine performance by Bolton but Reading manager Steve Coppell must be concerned at his side's dismal display.

English Premiership League

Bolton 3 (Speed 42, Anelka 55, Braaten 90)
Reading 0