Bolton Wanderers stun Hull City with thumping win

Bolton Wanderers scored three times in the first nine minutes to set up a comfortable 4-1 win over promotion contenders Hull City this afternoon.

© PA Photos / Martin Rickett

The Trotters took the lead just two minutes in, when Darren Pratley powered home a header at the far post after fine work from Lee Chung-Yong out wide.

Steve Bruce's side fell 2-0 behind just 90 seconds later when Mark Davies found space in the area to send a low shot just under David Stockdale.

Things went from bad to worse for the Tigers when Craig Dawson's header trickled over the line before Marvin Sordell could get the final touch.

Sordell struck the post soon after as heavy snow surrounded the Reebok just before the break.

Hull mounted a response after the break and earned a consolation when Robbie Brady's free kick found its way through the wall and past Adam Bogdan.

Just three minutes later Bolton made the game safe when Dawson got his second thanks to an instinctive flick that went in off the post.

Dougie Freedman's side held firm in the closing stages to record an impressive victory and dent Hull's challenge for an automatic promotion place.