Both sides had contrasting priorities heading into this Boxing Day match at the Reebok Stadium. Bolton were fighting relegation and Bobby Robson's Newcastle United were targeting a place in Europe.

Bolton were then managed by Sam Allardyce, who would ultimately take over Newcastle in the summer of 2007 before being sacked midway through the season.

Newcastle have twice lost 4-3 to Liverpool in thrilling Premier League encounters. Robson acknowledged that such an encounter with relegation candidates was also great entertainment but that "it won't get us into Europe."

This was Bolton's first home win since 1st September and Nigerian trickster Jay-Jay Okocha got the ball rolling early on when he shot past Shay Given after being granted too much room by Aaron Hughes.

However, The Toon Army were level just three minutes later when Kieron Dyer set-up Alan Shearer who netted from 12 yards.

Bolton went 2-1 up almost immediately as Stephen Caldwell fouled Michael Ricketts and Ricardo Gardner struck the resulting free kick past Given's right hand. Three goals in the opening nine minutes as the Reebok faithful were treated to festive thrills and spills.

They were starved of another goal until just before half-time when England international Ricketts scored his first from open play in 11 months. He then made it 4-1 in the second-half after a poor back-pass from Gary Speed, who would go on to play for Bolton. Robson said Speed was 'distraught' after the match but refused to blame him for defeat, despite Ricketts' goal proving the winner.

The match looked plain sailing for Bolton from then on in but Shola Ameobi gave Newcastle hope when his left-foot shot hit Dyer's shins, and wrong-footed Jussi Jaaskelainen. 4-2.

The final goal of the match was scored in the 79th minute and it was that man Shearer who hammered home his second with a ferocious free-kick. The goal was his 350th of a prolific career.

"To say I'm happy is an understatement," said Allardyce afterwards. "We know that if we are to turn things around we have to start winning at home. Our defence was still suspect but for once we managed to hang on and close the game down.

"Michael was magnificent and took both his goals superbly. We were hoping that once he scored in open play it would be the first of many and it looks as though that is the case.

"He says he never lost confidence but I think that maybe he was snatching at chances. But he has never shirked responsibility and I am absolutely delighted for him."

Robson was left to rue his side's defensive vulnerability on the road. He said: "If I knew why we were so poor defensively away from home we would have done something about it. It was a great game but we won't get into Europe playing like that."

Bolton finished the 2002/03 season in 17th place, two points above the relegation zone. Newcastle, meanwhile, enjoyed an upturn in fortunes and finished an impressive third, securing qualification into the Champions League preliminaries.

Bolton Wanderers: Jaaskelainen, Whitlow, Bergsson, Barness, Charlton, Frandsen, Okocha, Gardner, Pedersen (Facey 76), Ricketts, Djorkaeff (Nolan 65).

Subs not used: Poole, Campo, Tofting.

Goals: Okocha 5, Gardner 9, Ricketts 45, 63

Newcastle United: S Given, Griffin, O'Brien, Caldwell, Hughes, Solano (Jenas 72), Dyer, Speed, Robert, Ameobi (LuaLua 72), Shearer.

Subs not used: Harper, Bellamy, Dabizas.

Goals: Shearer 8, Ameobi 71, Shearer 79