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Newcastle 1-0 Bolton

Jermaine Jenas scored the only goal of the game as Newcastle kept the pressure on Arsenal and Manchester United at the top of the Premiership.

Struggling Bolton were unlucky not to take at least a point after a superb second-half performance which boasted countless chances but, crucially, no goals.

Sam Allardyce's team remain two points above the relegation zone and the only consolation is that bottom club West Ham also lost.

Newcastle, now two points behind second-placed Man Utd and seven adrift of leaders Arsenal, deservedly took the lead through the in-form Jenas.

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson was in the stands and might just consider playing Jenas, as well as the excellent Kieron Dyer, when England play Australia next month.

Newcastle put Bolton under pressure from the opening whistle, with Dyer forcing Jussi Jaaskelainen into action inside the first minute.

Bolton midfielder Kevin Nolan forced a save from Shay Given with a header, but the home team remained on top and Jaaskelainen saved from Craig Bellamy.

The visitors' problems increased after 10 minutes when Per Frandsen limped off, to be replaced by Ivan Campo, and shortly afterwards Newcastle took the lead.

I think we've won a very difficult game

Sir Bobby Robson

Bellamy latched onto a long pass up-field from Steven Caldwell and slipped the ball through Bruno N'Gotty's legs for Jermaine Jenas to side-foot the ball home.

Bolton, though, hinted at an improvement before the break.

Olivier Bernard made a crucial blocked with Youri Djorkaeff poised to shoot on goal and the France striker blasted a free-kick from the edge of the area over the crossbar shortly afterwards.

Bernard Mendy broke from midfield early in the second half and - with the opposition backing off - narrowly missed from 25 yards.

As always, away-from-home controversial decisions have cost us

Sam Allardyce

Newcastle came within inches of doubling their advantage after 61 minutes when a sweeping move culminated in a Nolberto Solano cross that both Alan Shearer and Anthony Barness tried to win.

Shearer, making his 450th top-flight appearance, made first contact and the ball crashed against the crossbar before rebounding to safety.

Bolton boss Sam Allardyce brought transfer-listed striker Michael Ricketts on for Henrik Pedersen and the visitors kept pressing forward.

Caldwell met a Simon Charlton cross and almost headed into his own net, Mendy hit the side netting and Ricketts headed over.

Aaron Hughes then appeared to trip Mendy but Bolton's enthusiastic penalty appeals were waved away by the referee.

Bolton refused to give up the ghost but the final whistle signalled the visitors 11th defeat of the season.

Newcastle: Given, Hughes, Caldwell, Dabizas, Bernard, Solano (Kerr 84), Dyer, Jenas, Robert, Bellamy, Shearer.
Subs Not Used: Elliott, Harper, LuaLua, Ameobi.

Booked: Dabizas.

Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Mendy, N'Gotty, Bergsson, Barness, Charlton, Nolan (Facey 81), Frandsen (Campo 10), Gardner, Djorkaeff, Pedersen (Ricketts 67).
Subs Not Used: Poole, Bulent.

Booked: Bergsson, Campo.

Attendance: 52,005

Referee: P Dowd (Staffordshire).