On This Day: Noble and Tevez combine to boost Great Escape with Bolton win

Taking a look back at a classic West Ham United moment on this day in history, in association with Heineken...

Mark Noble and Carlos Tevez combined to boost West Ham United's bid to pull off a Great Escape from Premier League relegation on this day in 2007.

Tevez scored the opening two goals and set up Noble for the third as the Hammers thrashed Bolton Wanderers 3-0 at the Boleyn Ground.

Argentina star Tevez curled home a magnificent free-kick for the opener and tapped in the second, before crossing for Noble to slam an unstoppable volley past future West Ham goalkeeper Jussi Jääskeläinen.

Having collected the Hammer of the Year award before kick-off, Tevez was in irresistible form, having spent a period in an oxygen tank in the lead up to this vital game to aid his recovery from an ankle injury.

The Claret and Blue Army sang the No32's name again and again as he tore the Trotters to shreds inside the opening half-hour.

And 21-year-old Noble was also outstanding, scoring a sensational goal to wrap up a win that helped keep the Hammers in the top flight, despite them being ten points adrift of safety with just nine games to play.

"Our fate is in our hands for the first time," manager Alan Curbishley reflected. "I was just happy to get the result today but anything can still happen.

"Carlos Tevez had an ankle problem and was doubtful but he's an inspiration to us at the moment."

Tevez scored seven goals in those closing nine matches, including the winner in the final-day 1-0 success at champions Manchester United that ultimately kept the Irons up.


Luton