Heady Holdsworth

By Brendan O'Keeffe

Wimbledon 3

Ekoku 5, Earle 25, Holdsworth 55

Bolton Wanderers 2

Thompson pen 27, De Freitas 40

Attendance: 9,317

FRESH-FACED Bolton began life in the Premiership attractively, but they were unfortunate to come up against perhaps the wiliest side in the top division in their first match. After four minutes, Wimbledon's Vinny Jones made use of a specially narrowed pitch and hurled one of his long throws to the near post. Andy Thorn's knock-on caused enough confusion for Efan Ekoku to sweep in from short range.

Two more simple goals gave Wimbledon the win their superior savvy earned them. Jones banged over a cross, Bolton allowed it to bounce on to Robbie Earle, who looped a header over Keith Branagan. The third and winning goal came in the second half, Bolton leaving Dean Holdsworth unmarked and able to head in Alan Kimble's corner.

Bolton had fought back to 2-2. Just before the Dons' second goal, Fabian de Freitas had a header cleared off the line. Then Mark Patterson was brought down by Kimble and Alan Thompson, the most stylish player on the pitch, converted the penalty.

De Freitas, an unsubtle, muscular forward, got his reward by scoring a 39th-minute equaliser. The Dutchman - far more dangerous than his attacking counterpart, Mixu Paatelainen, a Finn who cannot finish - galloped on to Patterson's service to lash in an angled volley.

Bolton are expected both to score and to leak goals in the top flight. For all Alan Stubbs's increasing fame, he was as powerless as his defensive colleagues to prevent Wimbledon's swift, simple and destructive attacks. Bolton were fortunate to see chances missed by Holdsworth, Ekoku and Oyvind Leonhardsen, twice. The much-vaunted Jason McAteer, like Stubbs rumoured to be a target for his old manager, Bruce Rioch, who is now at Arsenal, only came alive towards the end, carrying the ball forward and playing incisive passes.

The panache instilled by Rioch remains, but Bolton look too frail for life at the top. Should they lose Stubbs and McAteer, relegation seems likely.