Owen Coyle demands consistency from Bolton after win

Bolton manager Owen Coyle has challenged his side to deliver consistently after finally hitting the standards he demands.

The struggling Wanderers at last found their touch after a dismal start to the season as they thrashed Stoke 5-0 in the Barclays Premier League at the Reebok Stadium yesterday.

The scoreline mirrored the 5-0 hammering Bolton received at the hands of the Potters in last season's FA Cup semi-finals, when arguably their decline began.

It was only Bolton's third win of the season and their first at home and, although they are still a lowly 18th, has the potential to kickstart their campaign.

Coyle said: "The intensity was there and regardless of how the result went I wanted to make sure we had a performance of the way I like.

"They did that and we have got to make sure we do that consistently.

"The quality of goals was there for everyone to see.

"It was a valuable three points. It only moves us up one place but it catapults us up among seven or eight teams. It puts us on an upwards spiral.

"We had to win. Stoke are a fantastic side and Tony (Pulis) is a top manager.

"They will finish top 10, absolutely. They have real strength in depth.

"But I think we were clinical with everything that came our way.

"That has happened to us before, so it is nice to come out on the right side of it."

Bolton took control in the second minute when Asmir Begovic was deemed to have collected a back pass from Glenn Whelan.

The goalkeeper then allowed Ivan Klasnic to take a free-kick from which recalled Bolton captain Kevin Davies scored.

The outstanding Chris Eagles made it 2-0 with a superb finish from a tight angle and Klasnic swept in a third after a break.

Eagles and Klasnic went on to double their tallies and Bolton were unlucky with a couple of other chances.

It ended a tough a week for Stoke after last Monday's loss to Newcastle and Thursday's draining Europa League trip to Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Pulis said: "We were very poor, we I didn't think we competed.

"Whether the first goal was a back pass or not, it makes absolutely no difference.

"We had 90-odd minutes to put it right but we just didn't compete.

"Bolton were better than us all over the pitch.

"I have managed the club for eight and a half years, over 200 games, and that has got to be one of the worst performances in respect of being competitive and doing the basics properly.

"But take nothing away from Bolton. We had our day at Wembley and they have had their day today."

PA