Geremi at the helm for confident Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough have moved to within three points of premier League leaders Arsenal after a commanding 2-0 win over Bolton Wanderers.

Boro's fourth successive win, earned with goals from Ugo Ehiogu and Geremi, consolidated third place. They have 17 points, one behind second-placed Liverpool.
The home side's victory could have been larger had they not wasted so many chances.

A goal in each half hardly did justice to their superiority, particularly with Geremi and George Boateng dominating in midfield.

The game turned on two refereeing decisions by Clive Wilkes, both of which angered the Bolton supporters.

They disputed the corner from which Ehiogu opened the scoring on 23 minutes and felt that Geremi was yards offside when he clinched the game in the 69th minute.

There was no faulting the execution of both goals though.

Ehiogu climbed high at the far post to power home Geremi's corner. Then Geremi galloped half the length of the field after being released by Alen Boksic and Boateng before calmly picking his spot.

Boro, who have the meanest defence in the premier league having conceded just five times, became the first side this season to stop Bolton scoring in the league.

Goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer had to be alert just before the interval to keep out a shot from Lee Nolan, which was arcing towards the top corner.