Bolton edge closer to Champions League

Bolton moved to within five points of Champions League football next season after squeezing a 1-0 victory over plucky Sheffield United at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday. Paddy Kenny in the United goal was the hero for the visitors for 80 minutes before he was finally beaten by Kevin Davies, seen here in action in 2004.

Bolton moved to within five points of Champions League football next season after squeezing a 1-0 victory over plucky Sheffield United at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday.

Paddy Kenny in the United goal was the hero for the visitors for 80 minutes before he was finally beaten by Kevin Davies' shot following a good run and pass from recalled France striker Nicolas Anelka.

The defeat leaves the Blades just one point above the relegation zone, following Charlton's 1-0 win at home to Wigan.

The victory, only Bolton's second in their last six home games, moves them onto 50 points and breathing down Arsenal's necks in fourth - the final Champions League qualification place.

It was no more than Bolton deserved after dominating the entire match, despite United boss Neil Warnock choosing to field four centre-backs across his back four to try to combat Bolton's aerial threat.

Despite Bolton's dominance it was not until around 10 minutes before half-time that they really threatened to break the deadlock.

But Paddy Kenny produced the first of a series of fine stops to prevent Nicky Hunt's firm volley from reaching the top corner of the net.

Sam Allardyce's men kept their foot on the gas and Kenny was called into action again to deny Senegalese international El-Hadji Diouf with another stunning save.

Despite the one-way traffic, the Blades almost took an undeserved and shock lead on the stroke of half-time.

Keith Gillespie's shot deflected off Ricardo Gardner and the Reebok Stadium breathed a collective sigh of relief as the ball trickled wide with Jussi Jaaskelainen wrong-footed.

The second period followed in much the same vein as the first and Kenny produced a brilliant double save to deny first Gary Speed and then Kevin Davies's follow up.