Bolton all but ensured their survival with a clinical 2-0 win over Sunderland on the penultimate day of the Premiership season.

Bolton were the better team at the Reebok Stadium and the win will ease pressure off manager Gary Megson for some time at least. For Sunderland the result was meaningless because they have already secured survival, but boss Roy Keane would have still been livid.

El-Hadji Diouf was the hero for Bolton drilling home the first goal in the 42nd minute, which immediately eased the strain among fans. The second goal was an own goal from substitute Daryl Murphy.

Diouf has indicated that he will leave in the summer regardless of the Premiership status of the club. Last few weeks have been tough for the Senegalese striker with his own teammates questioning his commitment.

This was the perfect response in a game that had been tepid till his intervention. The game started off sedately, but Bolton were the hungrier of the two teams as Sunderland settled down to a peaceful game.

Kevin Davies, who was back in the side after serving a two-match ban, was the hosts' best attacking threat foraying deep into Sunderland's penalty area. After the break Bolton continued to dominate forcing Roy Keane to make three substitutions.

However eight minutes from time, Bolton sealed the win and probably survival as Murphy headed into his own net.