Everton 1 Bolton Wanderers 2: Bolton get timely lift after Howard’s freak goal

The Toffees took the lead in freak circumstances in the 63rd minute when Howard beat opposite number Adam Bogdan with a clearance from his own box.

However, David Ngog made it 1-1 four minutes later with a smart finish, before Cahill – once again named as Trotters captain despite a fee for him being agreed with Chelsea – smashed in the winner with 12 minutes remaining.

The result takes Bolton off the bottom of the standings and up to 18th, a point adrift of safety, while Everton remain 11th.

After a quiet opening spell, Everton’s Louis Saha was presented with an opportunity on the quarter-hour mark when Bolton centre-back Zat Knight inadvertently teed him up with a header from Leighton Baines’s cross, but the Frenchman skewed his effort off target.

The lively Landon Donovan found Leon Osman, whose shot from outside the box was gathered by Bogdan, before Knight slid in to beat Denis Stracqualursi at the near post to Baines’s centre.

Phil Jagielka sustained an injury which led to him being substituted soon after, Jack Rodwell the man to take his place. The Toffees were left fuming in the 44th minute when Donovan went down in the box under the attentions of Sam Ricketts and referee Phil Dowd waved away their appeals for a penalty. Moments later, though, they were indebted to Howard for keeping things level as he pushed David Ngog’s strike over the bar.

Three minutes after the restart Baines’s corner came off Bogdan to Rodwell, who was unable to poke the ball in.

Howard produced two good saves, tipping away efforts from Mark Davies and Ngog, before pulling off something even more spectacular when he lofted a huge kick down field which – assisted by the wind – travelled towards the Bolton box and bounced over the stranded Bogdan into the net.

It was a shock blow for the visitors, but they responded well to equalise within four minutes, Ngog turning and slotting the ball into the corner.

Cahill then vindicated Coyle’s decision to play him by snatching what proved to be the decisive goal.

Everton failed to clear a set-piece properly and Eagles laid the ball off to the England international, who fired past Howard.

Wanderers survived a scare at the death when Baines rattled the crossbar with a free-kick, as three precious points were secured.

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