Manchester United vs. Bolton Wanderers

Reigning champions took the lead after only five minutes when Michael Owen's header rebounded into the net off the body of centre-back Zat Knight.

Antonio Valencia slammed his first goal for the United on 33 minutes, a neat one-two with Gary Neville.

The hosts failed to set the second half alight despite fine individual showings from Ryan Giggs and Dimitar Berbatov. Kevin Davies picked out Matt Taylor in the United penalty area and the winger beat Patrice Evra in the air to head Bolton a lifeline with 75 minutes gone.

The away side bombarded the United defence for the final fifteen minutes with the hosts rattled and fortunate not to concede a second.

United could have been ahead before Patrice Evra charged forward on the overlap and drove a cross to Michael Owen at the near-post. Jonny Evans gave Jussi Jaaskelainen the opportunity to make a fine block when really his far-post header should have been guided in from a Ryan Giggs cross that came at the end of some excellent approach play.

Apart from a brief period just after Antonio netted his goal, Bolton were totally spirit driven until the game closed.