• Premier League

Coyle fumes at officials after Bolton relegation

ESPN staff
May 13, 2012
Owen Coyle had issues with both goals Bolton conceded at Stoke © Getty Images
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Owen Coyle admitted Bolton Wanderers' relegation was "difficult to take" after seeing his side concede two controversial goals in the 2-2 draw with Stoke.

Bolton had to win the match in order to stay in the Premier League, but were unable to do so, despite moving into a 2-1 lead in the first half.

Jonathan Walters scored both for Stoke, the first when he appeared to knock the ball out of Bolton keeper Alan Bogdan's hands, and the second from the penalty spot after Bogdan was adjudged to have felled Peter Crouch in the area.

"I felt like we did enough to win the game after a slow start," Coyle said. "But the decisions … for that first goal to be allowed when Jonathan Walters clearly headed the elbow of my goalkeeper, who had the ball in his hands. It's beyond belief that can be given at this level.

"It was, we picked ourselves up, went in front and had chances to put the game to bed, and then we allowed ourselves to be put under a little bit of pressure.

"For me [the foul on Crouch] as soft a penalty as you're going to get, because for me Crouchy's actually stumbled into Adam. Adam's not even looking at him.

"It's a range of emotions but my thoughts are for the supporters and players. It's difficult to take."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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