Muntari: Scored late winner

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Cats safe as Trotters slump

Sunderland secured their Premier League status with a late goal from substitute Sulley Muntari to beat Bolton 2-1.

The Blackcats made the brighter start of the two teams but could not create any real chances in the early stages.

The first opportunity fell to Sunderland’s Phillip Bardsley, who headed the ball over the bar unchallenged from just six yards out.

Bolton started to get into the game just before the break, as a Daniel Sturridge shot deflected off Bardsley to hit the woodwork.

However, Sunderland took the lead just before half-time when Boudewijn Zenden was put through on goal to slot the ball past Jussi Jaaskelainen.

Though Bolton will have felt aggrieved after Chung-Young Lee appeared to have been fouled in the build up.

There were more chances in the second half and Bolton thought they had finally secured a point when substitute Ivan Klasnic headed the ball home on 87 minutes.

However, Sunderland were able to bag all three points in dramatic fashion as their own substitute Sulley Muntari managed to squeeze the ball past Jaaskelainen to secure the win in the third minute of injury time.