Despite getting a morale boosting win against Blackburn Rovers just before Christmas, Bolton Wanderers could not capitalise on the poor form of Newcastle United.
Owen Coyle's Bolton Wanderers side suffered yet another defeat in the Premier League, this time against Newcastle United.
However, Bolton Wanderers maintain their position just above Blackburn Rovers in the table because Blackburn Rovers could not capitalise on this defeat, as they could get only draw against Liverpool.
This, however, is a great result for Blackburn Rovers given that they have secured an away point against a difficult opponent. Their odds of escaping relegation have shortened on the latest Premier League betting exchange markets.
Bolton, on the other hand, were at home for the match against Newcastle United, who come into the match after suffering one of the most runs in recent weeks.
Newcastle United made a spectacular start to the season and they were undefeated in the Premier League only recently. Following the defeat to Chelsea, things soon crumbled for Alan Pardew and his men. However, the 2-0 victory will be one of the most important for his team, as it helps them stabilize their seventh position in the table. Ben Arfa has been increasingly important for the Newcastle United team in recent weeks and he showed his quality by scoring his first goal since 2010 September.
"A win would have put us among a group of five or six teams and would have made it interesting, but the Wolves game on the 31st is now our biggest of the season. The two goals are self-inflicted and that's hard to take. Its horrible, it's not a nice feeling as a manager," Owen Coyle said after the match.
The Bolton Wanderers legend has been coming under intense pressure in recent weeks due to the failure to move his side up the table. Bolton are currently four points behind 17th placed Wolverhampton Wanderers.