Trotters denied by Rowe
Rob smashes a hat-trick in Der Klassiker
IAN EVATT called for more of the same to keep Bolton in the mix for promotion.
Nathan Delfouneso’s opener inside the last 10 minutes was cancelled out in stoppage time by fellow substitute Danny Rowe for Bradford.
It ended Bolton’s winning run at six games, but Evatt said: “We were outstanding. It is the best we have played in this run and we should have been out of sight. We deserved to win the game.
“It was great to watch against a team that are also flying. We were magnificent and if we play like that for the last 13 games we will be in there – that is the promotion mix.”
Delfouneso put Bolton ahead with a close-range shot following a strong spell of pressure after former Bradford striker Eoin Doyle had a shot blocked.
However, Rowe rescued a point for Bradford in the 93rd minute with a left-foot drive into the far corner after Elliot Watt’s corner was only partially cleared.
The match brought together the two form teams
in League Two, with Bradford themselves having won five in a row beforehand.
And City’s joint manager Mark Trueman said: “It was important for both teams to keep the unbeaten run going.
“It was disappointing for Bolton after they had gone in front, but I was delighted with the point and we can look to build on that.
“We showed that fight and desire and we had to show our character to come back and get a point against a very good team.
We respect the opposition today and we take a draw.”
Bayern Munich 4 Borussia Dortmund 2
ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI won the battle of the Bundesliga hitmen as his hat-trick settled a Der Klassiker thriller.
The Pole’s treble – the 12th of his career in Germany – helped Bayern Munich come from behind after Erling Haaland’s early double.
Haaland had Borussia Dortmund dreaming before Lewandowski fired Bayern back to the top of ahead of title rivals RB Leipzig, who had won 3-0 at Freiburg earlier.
Victory moved Hansi Flick’s reigning champions two points clear – despite Norwegian star Haaland’s best efforts. Haaland drove Dortmund ahead after just 74 seconds and he was soon ending a sweeping move by firing home Thorgan Hazard’s pass for Dortmund’s second.
That brought his career tally to 100 senior goals in just 145 games at the age of 20.
But Lewandowski was not to be overshadowed, taking his Bundesliga score to 267 goals, one behind secondplaced Klaus Fischer.
He steered in Leroy Sane’s cross and levelled from the spot just before the break after Mahmoud Dahoud hauled down Kingsley Coman.
Leon Goretzka (above) drilled Bayern ahead late on before Lewandowski, 32, fittingly had the final say.
Dortmund’s woes were compounded by a knock to Haaland that forced the striker off in the second half.
He joins Jadon Sancho on the treatment table with the England winger sidelined with a thigh injury.
Dortmund will be desperate for both to be fit for Tuesday’s Champions League last-16 second leg with Sevilla.
Asked if Haaland could succeed Lewandowski at Bayern, boss Flick said: “Very much is possible in life, nothing can be ruled out. But that’s a long way off. He has a long-term deal in Dortmund.”
Rangers 3 St Mirren 0 RANGERS can today end a decade of agony with Old Firm rivals Celtic needing to beat Dundee United to delay the title crowning.
Smoke bombs and flares filled the air as Steven Gerrard’s champions elect received a heroes welcome ahead of yesterday’s Premiership clash.
And it had them roaring from the off as Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos had the league leaders cruising after just 16 minutes.
Ianis Hagi then found the third just seconds after the restart to effectively kill off the game as a contest.
With manager Gerrard serving a one-match ban in the stands, Rangers had little trouble in maintaining their perfect home record with a 16th win.
The Gers are just one point away from winning the title and may clinch their 55th championship without kicking another ball if Celtic slip up at Tannadice today.
Once the final whistle went a number of players and backroom staff headed straight for a corner of Ibrox that leads out on to the pavement outside, where a large group of fans had gathered despite lockdown rules and where public gatherings are banned.
“It’s important the players connected with the fans but also remembered what they had to do,” said Gerrard.
“It’s a big, monumental day for the club – this is probably the most important three points we’ve delivered.
“Obviously, we’ll try and stay humble but it’s tough because we’re so close.
“I’ve just walked into a really happy dressing room as you can imagine because we know how close we are.
“It’s important fans try to stay humble and safe because that’s the priority fans’ safety and people’s safety.
“It’s tough because it has been an emotional three years for me and the fans have been through a lot in 10 years.
“You can understand it.”