Bolton's hopes of retaining their Premier League status received a huge boost on Saturday as they humiliated fellow relegation candidates Wigan 4-0.

Goals by Swedish international Johan Elmander, Kevin Davies, Fabrice Muamba and Matthew Taylor - three of them in the second-half - saw Bolton rebound from last Tuesday's 4-0 defeat by Sunderland and move to 32 points, eight clear of third from bottom Burnley.

Defeat for Wigan - their first loss to Bolton in five matches - saw them brought down to earth after last Monday's 1-0 win over Liverpool and they are now just four points better off than Burnley.

Elmander struck in the 10th minute with a sweetly-hit shot from inside the area - after being set up by strike partner Davies - which gave Wigan 'keeper Chris Kirkland no chance.

Wigan pressed forward in search of the equaliser throughout the first-half with Austrian defender Paul Scharner going close with a snapshot which Jussi Jaaskelainen saved while Emerson Boyce should have done better with a free header but sent it over the post from Charles N'Zogbia's cross.

Jaaskelainen was in fine form between the posts, which was just as well as Wigan were dominant, and made a good save from the impressive N'Zogbia three minutes before half-time.

His contribution was telling as the hosts made the most of it and wrapped up the three points shortly after half-time.

First Davies converted a penalty in the 48th minute - after Gary Caldwell had taken down Tamir Cohen - and then Muamba a third in the 53rd minute with a well struck shot from the edge of the area after being set up by Korean Chung-Yong Lee.

Then, 17 miunutes from time, Taylor added a fourth from close range to make a mockery of Bolton's previous poor goal record of just four in their past 10 matches.

AFP

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