Portsmouth hit back from a goal down to hand Bolton their 3rd consecutive defeat of the season at Fratton Park. Nicolas Anelka had given Bolton an early lead, however Kanu, John Utaka and Matthew Taylor all found the net to give Harry Redknapp's side their 1st triumph of the campaign.
After a cagey opening, Anelka sped clear in typical style to outpace Hermann Hreidarsson and drive his shot through the legs of David James and have given Bolton a 12th minute lead.
But Kanu slotted home an equaliser only 4 minutes later, after fellow Nigerian John Utaka had knocked down Gary O'Neil's cross. And Kanu, who had earlier had a goal disallowed, then turned provider for Utaka.
He sent the £7 million signing speeding clear down the middle, with Utaka outpacing the Bolton defence before rounding the goalie Jussi Jaaskelainen to slide the ball into an empty net.
Bolton had hardly regained their breath when Nicky Hunt was booked for a foul and the free kick by Sean Davis produced a scramble in their goalmouth which finished with Benjani Mwaruwari shooting and Jussi Jaaskelainen saving.
Benjani, with 2 goals already this season, was still looking for another when he got in behind Abdoulaye Meite and went sprawling on the edge of the area, however the referee Steve Tanner ruled that the contact was legal.
Pompey would not relax with Anelka around, and his 37th minute flick was only wide of the near post with James looking beaten. And if Kevin Nolan had got a touch with an outstretched left foot to Jlloyd Samuel's low ball into the area, James would have been embarrassed instead of smothering comfortably on the line.
Bolton brought on new Swedish signing Christian Wilhelmsson for Andranik Teymourian at the start of the 2nd half, which proved less eventful. However, they continued to give Utaka too much room and when a firm thrust by Benjani was only about resisted, the loose ball came to the Nigerian, who fired a drive straight at a grateful Jaaskelainen.
El-Hadji Diouf angered the home supporters after hacking at O'Neil and got a lecture from referee Tanner for his unhappy reaction to a hard however fair tackle by Richard Hughes. Bolton had taken off Nolan for new signing Daniel Braaten in the 55th minute.
Ball-watching by Taylor almost gifted Bolton an equaliser 3 minutes later when Anelka flew in to meet Samuel's long cross from the left and, unopposed, powered a firm header which was only near enough to James for him to save.
Kanu was again involved in the final action of the game, when he was brought down in the penalty area 3 minutes from full time, and Taylor converted to seal the 3 points for Pompey.
20 07 2007
Bolton manager Sammy Lee says that he could be willing to allow player forward Nicolas Anelka leave for a Champions League club.
Speculation has surrounded the much-travelled French forward all summer, with Saturday's Peace Cup final opponents Lyon and former club Arsenal both heavily linked with a probable transfer.
Both clubs will probably feature in Europe's number one competition next season and therefore could be among those Lee could be willing to deal with, providing the terms were right for Bolton.
"I must be fair to the boy," mentioned Lee. "He is 29 and he has informed me he would like Champions League football. So would I, and I would like us both to achieve that here at Bolton. But, if one of the top 4 in England, or a Champions League club in another country, showed an interest in him, and he would like to go, it could be remiss of me to stand in his way."
Anelka has only been with Bolton for a single season however has quickly become a crowd favourite, finishing top scorer with 11 goals last term.
Understandably, Lee is unequivocal in his wish for Anelka to stay, insisting, "You do not must be a Philadelphia lawyer to work that out. I would like people with quality and, undoubtedly, Nicolas has quality. I am not in the business of getting rid of our best players however I must be fair to everybody. If the deal was fair to all parties, I would not stop him."
After succeeding long-serving Sam Allardyce 2 games from the end of last season, Lee was quick to make his mark.
New arrivals Gavin McCann and Jlloyd Samuel will be joined by Fulham's Heidar Helguson when Bolton head back from their 2 week expedition in Korea.
Lee thinks Helguson can provide Bolton with added firepower ahead of a packed campaign, which also features a UEFA Cup campaign.
More new arrivals will follow too ahead of the Premier League opener with Allardyce's Newcastle on August 11.
Most pundits are pessimistic about Bolton's chances of maintaining their established position in the top 8 now Allardyce has called time on his decade long stint at the club.
But, only like Allardyce, Lee is intensely ambitious, and thinks the top 4 is not beyond Bolton's capabilities.
"Some people could view it as an unrealistic ambition however the higher you aim, the more you can attain," he said.
"I certainly think taking Bolton into the Champions League is probable and that is what we will be going for."
20 07 2007
Bolton have agreed an undisclosed fee with Fulham to bring forward Heidar Helguson to the Reebok Stadium.
The 29 year old Icelandic international has passed a medical and is poised to sign a 3 year contract.
"I like Helguson a lot," Bolton manager Sammy Lee informed the club website. "He has a good work ethic and understands the demands of the Premier League. I have always been an admirer of his attitude to the game and his ability to score goals at vital times."
Helguson had also been linked with a move back to former club Watford, as well as West Bromwich Albion and Charlton.
Fulham signed the forward from Vicarage Road for a £1.3 million fee in 2005 however he was unable to win a regular 1st team place.
He made 57 appearances, scoring 12 goals.
Helguson brings Lee's summer transfers to 3 following the arrival of Gavin McCann and Jlloyd Samuel.
But Lee said, "We have not finished adding to the team yet. You must be looking to improve things on a daily basis and I feel we are still one or 2 components missing. Hopefully we will find them before the starting of the season."
21 06 2007
Liverpool midfielder Danny Guthrie has agreed to join Premier League rivals Bolton on a season long loan deal.
The 20 year old, who came through the ranks at Anfield, will have completed the paperwork on the deal when he returns from his summer holiday.
"Danny is a dynamic midfielder who is very comfortable on the ball," mentioned Bolton manager Sammy Lee.
"He has a terrific work-ethic and has got a good engine. He is a good passer and will suit our type of football."
Shrewsbury born Guthrie spent part of last season on loan at Southampton and also made 3 substitute appearances for Liverpool.
Guthrie will join Jlloyd Samuel, Gavin McCann, Blerim Dzemaili, Gerald Cid and Zoltan Harsanyi as new arrivals at the club.
