Bolton Wanderers secured a thumping 4-1 victory over Wigan Athletic in their Premiership clash on Sunday to move further up the league table.

Bolton took an early lead thanks to an own goal by Paul Scharner but Wigan pulled level 11 minutes later through Denny Landzaat. Nicolas Anelka missed a penalty in the 24th minute but goals from Kevin Nolan and Kevin Davis put the result beyond doubt before Anelka completed the rout a minute before the final whistle.

Bolton took an unexpected lead in the third minute when Scharner headed the ball past his own keeper even though the defender was under no pressure from the opposition. It was not long before Wigan were back on level terms through a great build up that saw Abdoulaye Meite back heel the ball into the path of onrushing Landzaat who made no mistake with his close range effort.

Anelka had a great chance to put Bolton back in the lead when the hosts were given a penalty after Andreas Granqvist handled the ball inside the area but the French striker was unable to hit the target from the penalty spot.

Bolton doubled the lead in the 36th minute when Anelka crossed the ball inside the area and Kevin Nolan scored the goal with a cheeky back heel. Wigan struggled to create any real chances in the second half and Kevin Davis put the result beyond doubt when he raced past the Wigan defense to convert Diouf's free kick with a close range shot.

Anelka finally got his goal in the 89th minute of the match when Davies found the French striker with a perfect cross and this time Anelka made no mistake to convert his chance to complete the proceedings.