Clear head: Newcastle United's Kevin Nolan
scores the opening goal
The jury may still be out on Sturridge. Certainly
Manchester City were wary of his talents and neither was he then
the expected success at Chelsea.
No such problem at Bolton, where meat pies and mushy peas
maybe the staple diet, but with a manager who knows footballing
cordon bleu when he sees it.
Sturridge, sent by Chelsea on loan during last month's
transfer window, scored his fourth goal in as many games to rescue
a point and end a run of six successive away defeats for
Bolton.
His 38th-minute strike
always seemed on the cards after the 21-year-old had missed the
target with three efforts. His finish after Johan Eelmander had
provided the pass was crisp and accurate.
Bolton's cause was helped when
Ryan Taylor was shown a straight red card for a reckless high
tackle on Elmander early in the second half. It was Sturridge's
pace and energy that impressed, giving full-back Jose Enrique an
uncomfortable afternoon. Last season Owen Coyle's shrewd loan
acquisition of Jack Wilshere proved of triple benefit - to the
player; Bolton and Arsenal. Sturridge looks to be following in his
footsteps.
Coyle said: 'Jack Wilshere did
it for us on loan from Arsenal and took his game to another level.
I'm sure Daniel can do the same. That is why I brought him to
the club, because he's special.
'There's no shame in not being
in the Arsenal or Chelsea side on a regular basis. For me, it's a
win-win situation. Chelsea get a better player back and we get a
quality player who improves us
On fire: Sturridge celebrates after extending his
scoring streak
'Daniel scored
a terrific goal. He can finish with his left or right foot, score
headed goals and has pace to burn.'
The goal spoiled a
personal celebration for Kevin Nolan who notched the 50th goal of
his career against his former club. The Newcastle skipper met a
Cheik Tiote cross with a superb, low header to give Newcastle a
13th-minute lead. It was a Newcastle high point on an afternoon
which started badly when Joey Barton damaged his thigh in the
warm-up and got worse with Taylor's dismissal.
Nile Ranger headed home
in added time but the goal was chalked out for offside.