FANS VIEW

by Paul Cooper

ON the three previous occasions I have taken my girlfriend to the match, Wanderers have lost and have not even managed to score.

They were last season's home game against United and this season's games at Villa Park and Maine Road. So it was with a certain apprehension that I took her up to Sunderland.

We sat among Sunderland fans who had guided us to a pub where visiting supporters were made welcome. They seemed remarkably upbeat for this game although they were not particularly optimistic about Premiership survival - resigned to the fact that anything but three points off us would mean First Division football for them next season.

Inside the magnificent stadium, the pitch was sublime and the atmosphere electric - like a cup final - and I must admit I had a knot in my stomach.

So after all the pre-match vibes, it was great to see such an impressive and important win.

I had predicted a 3-1 win but after half an hour, even though we were just on top and Sunderland did not seem capable of conjuring anything up, I was starting to think I would be happy if we just managed to scrape a single goal.

We had a couple of chances - Mendy and Pedersen - but at half time I was wondering where a goal might come from.

But in the second half we looked fantastic. A terrific bit of skill from Jay-Jay Okocha brought the first goal and, for the benefit of anyone who was not there to see for themselves the superb build up to Henrik Pedersen's goal, I can tell you the Premiership show did not do it justice.

There was a tremendous atmosphere among the Bolton fans towards the end. Chants of "it's just like watching Brazil" and "we are staying up" captured the mood and there was even the odd chorus of "Super John McGinlay" which always suggests the fans are enjoying themselves.

What a weekend!

Man of the Match: Jay-Jay Okocha. I would not swap him for anybody in the world. The best thing that has happened to Bolton since John McGinlay.