Championship round-up: Emile Heskey back with a bang in Bolton victory

Former England striker scored just 14 minutes into debut

Saul Brookfield
Friday 26 December 2014 19:05 GMT
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Emile Heskey’s Christmas wishes came true as the former England striker scored 14 minutes into his Bolton debut to help his new side come from behind to win the east Lancashire derby with Blackburn 2-1.

Heskey signed for Bolton on Christmas Eve and came off the bench at half-time with Neil Lennon’s side trailing to a Josh King goal. He teamed up with fellow 36-year-old Eidur Gudjohnsen in attack and the two combined in the 59th minute for Heskey to ghost in at the far post to score from Gudjohnsen’s cross.

It was Heskey’s first goal in English football since August 2011 – coincidentally also against Blackburn – and after Darren Pratley had put the home side ahead three minutes later, Heskey, who spent the last two years playing for Newcastle Jets in Australia, cleared off the line as Bolton hung on to win.

Leaders Bournemouth stay a point clear at the top after they eased to a 2-0 home win over Fulham. Eddie Howe’s side took the lead in the ninth minute when Brett Pitman headed home Matt Ritchie’s cross and though Pitman had a penalty saved, Harry Arter wrapped things up in the 90th minute.

Middlesbrough beat fading Nottingham Forest 3-0 in front of a sell-out crowd of 32,277 at the Riverside. It was goalless at half-time but Boro broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute, George Friend outjumping the Forest defence to head in Grant Leadbitter’s in-swinging corner.

Forest’s Kelvin Wilson was sent off with 23 minutes to go, and Jelle Vossen and Leadbitter with a penalty took full advantage for Aitor Karanka’s in-form team.

Derby, now up to third, and Norwich both enjoyed thumping wins, the Rams beating Birmingham 4-0 at St Andrew’s, Chris Martin getting his 16th goal of the season, and Neil Adams’s side thrashing Millwall 6-1.

At the bottom, Wigan earned a valuable 2-0 win at Leeds, but Blackpool lost 1-0 at Sheffield Wednesday and remain 10 points adrift of safety.

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