Gary Megson: Bolton boss

Bolton 3 Stoke 1. The Trotters take the spoils on the opening day, while Stoke may be in for a long, hard season.

90+ 3 GOAL - Consolation for Stoke. Fuller meets Dickinson's cross with a bullet header which gives Jaaskelainen no chance.

90+ 1 Lawrence sees yellow for a needless tackle on Samuel, frustrations boiling over me thinks.

89 Delap almost deceives Jaaskelainen as his hopeful cross from the right drifts towards goal and clips the top of the crossbar. While Steinsson's earlier cross-shot found the top corner, Stoke have had no luck here today.

88 Both sides appear to have accepted today's result and the game has lost much of the passion which has made the encounter very watchable.

85 Muamba decides to take the initiative and burst forward, but gets his shot horribly wrong and scuffs a tame effort past the post.

83 Bolton are in no hurry to do anything now and bide their time with a number of throw-ins, before resorting to passing the ball amongst themselves in the middle of the park.

82 Taylor tries his luck with a 30-yard free-kick. It never threatens Sorensen's goal and sails high into the stands. Bolton don't mind, though, as they are on the verge of taking maximum points from their opening game.

81 Great claim by Jaaskelainen as he comes through a host of bodies to claim the latest Delap long throw. The Finnish keeper is a model of consistancy and never seems to get ruffled.

Less than 10 minutes left now for Stoke to salvage something from the game. Can they do it? Even a goal would at least give them somethig to take away from the Reebok.

80 Shouts for handball from the Stoke support as Fuller's header crashes into Andy O'Brien. It appeared to hit the centre-half in the chest and, as such, Mr Foy waves play on.

79 Taylor tests Soresen with a smart snap-shot as he spins inside the box. The Danish keeper is eqaul to it, though, and gets down well to hie right to get his body behind the ball.

78 Fuller makes a positive bust into the box, but is crowded out by a combination of Samuel and Cahill. It's just not happening for Stoke today and it's looking increasingly unlikely that they are going to register their first Premier League goal this afternoon.

77 Elmander makes way for McCann in Bolton's first change, while Stoke's final substitution sees Dickinson come on in place of Wilkinson.

75 Wonderful combination play between Nolan and Elmander puts the former in on goal. However, the midfielder's clever flick is cleared off the line by Kitson. Bolton are carving Stoke open with ease at the moment.

74 Lawrence has made a difference for Stoke and looks to the the one most likely to be able to force a breakthrough for the visitors.

73 Elmander thinks he is away and in on goal, only to be pulled back by the linesman's flag. He seemed to have timed his run to perfection and is unlucky not to have been given the benefit of the doubt.

72 Cort climbs highest to meet Lawrences free-kick, but can't keep his header down and sees his effort graze the crossbar. Andy O'Brien was left with two men there and was always going to struggle to get the ball away.

70 Elmander follows Davies' lead and throws himself into 50/50 challenges. The work-rate of Bolton is second to none and it looks unlikely that they will struggle so badly again this season.

69 A flurry of corners from Bolton fails to force a further breakthrough. The best chance coming from a Cahill header which was comfortably saved by Sorensen.

68 At the other end, Shawcross plants a header into the grateful arms of Jaaskelainen. Either side of the keeper and the Potters couls have found a route back into the game.

67 Shawcross is in the wars again and he reacquaints himself with Davies' elbow.

66 Fuller comes on in place of Sidibe.

65 Change of tact by Stoke as Delap takes a throw short. It doesn't work though as Grffin's cross sails over the heads of those waiting in the middle.

64 Good feet by Jaaskelainen as he comes racing out of his goal to meet Kitson. The keeper easily takes the ball past the onrushing striker, before clearing upfield.

63 Davies is another who has been immense for Bolton in this opening day fixture. The big striker never stops running, and has just tracked all the way back to help out his defence with a robust challenge on Delap.

Steinsson is cautioned for a clumsy trip on Cresswell.

61 Bolton begin to turn the screw again as they set up camp in the Stoke half. A number of hopeful long balls are thrown into the box, but the Potters hold firm.

60 Muamba and Joey O'Brien have had excellent games in the centre park, and have been at the heart of most of Bolton's best work. The duo look to have forged an impressive early undertanding and should only get better as the season draws on.

58 Stoke put pressure on the Trotters backline as first Kitson tries almost reaches a Lawrence free-kick, before another set-piece from the recent arrival fails to beat the first man. Better by the Potters who must keep the faith.

56 Whelan makes way for Lawrence as Tony Pulis makes his first change. Can the winger give Stoke a greater attacking threat?

55 Clever low cross from Elmander almost finds Davies. The big forward tries to get in front of Griffin, but is knocked off his feet by the dogged full-back. Strange to see Davies knocked off the ball!

53 Kitson almost finds half-a-yard on the edge of the box, only to see Cahill slam the door in his face. The Bolton defence have looked solid thoughout and will be pleased with their afternoon's work.

51 Elmander threatens again, but Sorensen is alert to the danger and is quick off hsi line to intercept another well placed pass from Muamba.

49 Elmander almost makes it four. Muamba finds the Swede with a killer pass, and the big forward cuts inside before firing a powerful drive narrowly over.

47 Stoke are in the ascendancy from the off as they go in search of a much-needed early goal. However, they fail to break down a stubborn Bolton defence.

No changes at the break as both managers keep faith with those they sent out at the start. It can, though, be only a matter of time before Pulis goes for broke.

Any optimistic Stoke fans see their side getting back into this? Or Bolton fans, how many do you think you will get? Remember you can get in touch at Chris.Burton@bskyb.com or through the Live Score Centre.

Bolton 3 Stoke 0. The Potters made a bright start but have struggled at the back and conceded three goals in the final 11 minutes of the half. The Trotters look home and dry and should now pocket three points - barring a remarkable collapse.

45 + 2 Bolton 3 Stoke 0. Johan Elmander scores on his debut. Joey O'Brien sends a free-kick into the heart of the box, where the unmarked Elmander has the simplest of taks as he nods home. Game over now I'm afraid for the Potters.

45 + 1 Corner to Stoke in the dying seconds of the half. Whelan trots across to take, but Joey O'Brien gets a towering header to the delivery.

45 Great cross from Muamba which Elmander is only inches away from connecting with. Once again the Swede fails to get his boot to the ball, but he was stretching around Cort on this occasion.

43 Stoke concede another needless free-kick in a dangerous position. On this occasion Taylor's delivery is poor and Sorensen is able to pluck the ball out of the air and get Stoke moving in the right direction.

41 GOAL - Kevin Davies doubles Bolton's advantage. The powerful striker is under pressure from two Stoke defenders as he challanges for a high ball, but he still manges to win the header and flick a clever effort past a helpless Sorensen. Could be all over here before half-time. Have Stoke got what is needed to recover?

38 Positive play by Elmander as he drifts past two defenders and lays a clever pass into the path of Mumaba. The midfielder then suffers a ruish of blood and fires a 20-yard effort high into the stands. Proof though that Elmander's strength can cause problems.

37 Sorensen is tested again and will not be happy at how much work he is having to do at present. Once again it is Samuel who delivers the ball from the left, only to find that his team-mates are not on the same wavelength.

36 The Stoke defence goes to sleep and allows Samuel to squeeze over a cross he had no right to force into the box. Fortunately for Sorensen no Bolton player has gambled and he is able to gather comfortably at the front post.

34 GOAL - What a strike by Steinsson. But did he mean it? The full-back finds the top corner with an unbelievable effort, but may have been looking for others in the middle. However, his vollyed effort from the right-hand edge of the box sails over Sorensen and off the far post. Could be an early goal of the season contender if he meant it!

32 Stoke survive another scare as Davies fails to make telling contact with Taylor's lofted cross to the far post. Bolton have snatched the momentum and the look the more dangerous at present.

31 Great defending by Cort as Taylor threatens to open the scoring. The Bolton winger finds space 10 yards from goal, but as he pulls the trigger Cort dives in front of him to block.

30 Sloppy volley from Whelan as he lingers on the edge of the box. The ball ricochets to the midfielder, but he gets his effort all wrong and drags it well, well wide.

Thanks to Gary Lomax for getting in touch. He feels that Bolton will emerge as 1-0 victors this afternoon. He also tips Elmander to be a success at the Reebok - providing Davies provides ample support.

27 Half-chance for Kitson as Sidibie fails to make contact with another Delap throw and the ball arrives at his striker partner's feet. However, the ginger front-man can't get his feet sorted and swings at fresh air. From only two-yards out he really should have done better.

25 Delap and Sidibe combine well on the edge of the box, but the latter fails to find Kitson with a dinked cross.

24 Samuel tries to nutmeg Wilkinson on his way towards the corner flag, but is stopped in his tracks by the Potters full-back. Bolton are keen to keep the ball on the floor which should help to silence those critics who continually brand them as a long-ball side.

22 Jaaskelainen is forced into a smart reaction save as Cort's powerful header threatens to break the deadlock.Fortunately for the Bolton keeper the effort his staright at him and he parries clear. As it happens, the flag was up and it wouldn't have counted. Megson will not be happy with the defending though. There were two Stoke men completely unmarked.

21 Clever play by Kitson and he wins a free-kick from Andy O'Brien after a clever flick into space past the clumsy centre-half.

20 Patient build-up from the Trotters and look to pick their way through. Taylor eventually curls a dangerous cross behind the Stoke defence and Elmander should have scored. The towering front-man throws a leg at the ball, only to see it drift inches from his toes and away on the far side. Any kind of contact and he would have had a debut goal.

19 Davies flicks on to Elmander, and from the edge of the box the Swede fires narrowly over the bar. First clear sight of goal for Bolton's new big-money signing, but he was unable to test Sorensen. Will Elmander prove to be value for money or will he struggle in English football? Let me know your thoughts.

18 Both sides are putting in plenty of effort, as you would expect from these two outfits, but neither have been able to create a clear-cut opening. Hopefully the early nerves will ease and the game will open up.

14 Shawcross takes a blow to the face from Davies is forced off to receive treatment as he begins to bleed all over his yellow shirt. The Bolton man had his arms up, but had no idea where Shawcross was.

13 Steinsson whips a ball to the back post. Sorensen stays rooted to his line, and is relieved to see Elmander's header sail wide of the post. Warning for Stoke, and they need to keep their concentration.

12 Kitson tries to spin in behind Cahill, but the centre-half reads his intentions and calmly nods back to his keeper once the attempted lob over the top from Whelan arrives.

10 Delap's long throw, I know it's getting monotonous but bear with me, forces Andy O'Brien to nod behind. The corner causes few problems to Bolton, though, and is easily cleared.

9 Wilkinson swings over a useful cross from the left which Kitson attempts to help on towards the back post. The striker has the right idea, but makes too good a contact and only succeeds in putting the ball onto the roof of the net. Stoke certainly aren't overawed by the occasion and have settled quicker.

7 Dangerous low cross to the front post by Joey O'Brien, but Sorensen keeps his eye on the ball and gathers well under pressure.

6 Throw by, guess who, again has Bolton struggling. Kitson attacks the high ball in impressive fashion, clattering into Jaaskelainen as he makes contact. Unfortunately he is unable to control his header and pushes it over the bar.

5 Joey O'Brien tries to thread a searching ball through towards Davies, only to see Shawcross step across and stub out the danger.

3 Delap really is causing havoc with these throws. This time he finds the heart of the Bolton box, but Cahill climbs highest to nod clear. Bright start by Tony Pulis' side, can they continue in the same manner?

2 Cahill's free-kick is easily cleared by the Potters back-line, while Sidibie forces Andy O'Brien to concede a nervy throw at the other end.

1 Stoke are straight on the offensive, with a Delap throw causing panic in the Bolton box. Davies eventually hammers clear for the hosts. Delap could prove to be a useful weapon this afternoon.

We're ready for kick-off. The Premier League is back in earnest!

No real surprises in Gary Megson's XI as the Bolton boss hands debuts to Johan Elmander and Fabrice Muamba. Stoke also line-up as expected, with Thomas Sorensen, Dave Kitson and Seyi Olofinjana all making their first start for the Potters.

Today's referee is Chris Foy from Merseyside.

Stoke team: Sorensen, Wilkinson, Cort, Shawcross, Griffin, Delap, Olofinjana, Whelan, Cresswell, Kitson, Sidibe. Subs: Simonsen, Lawrence, Fuller, Pericard, Diao, Faye, Dickinson.

Bolton team: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Cahill, Andrew O'Brien, Samuel, Joey O'Brien, Nolan, Muamba, Taylor, Davies, Elmander. Subs: Al Habsi, Hunt, Gardner, Mustapha, McCann, Shittu, Cohen.

The teams are in!

Remember you can air your opinions throughout the game by dropping me a line at Chris.Burton@bskyb.com or by using the feedback button in the Live Score Centre.

Stoke, meanwhile, are set for their first taste of top flight action in 23 years. The Potters will be hoping that the momentum of promotion can carry them to opening day success.

The Trotters became embroiled in a relegation battle last season on the back of a disastrous start and will be keen to avoid a repeat.

Welcome to the Reebok Stadium for coverage of today's Premier League encounter between Bolton and Stoke.