"THE FLYING FINN"and WORLD STAR GOALKEEPER(FOOTBALL TEAM FINLAND and BOLTON WANDERERS)

Hull City foiled by Jussi Jaaskelainen in Bolton Wanderers goal

Hull City (0) 0 Bolton Wanderers (0) 1

at the KC Stadium
Published: 7:18PM GMT 08 Nov 2008

King Finn: Jussi Jaaskelainen performed a string of outstanding saves to thwart Hull at home

There is a tendency to describe footballing imports as mercenaries with little concept of loyalty to their English employers.

Jussi Jaaskelainen is a one-man rebuttal of such suggestions and he marked a landmark occasion with a remarkable display of defiance to secure Bolton back-to-back wins.

This was Jaaskelainen’s 400th game in a decade of service to Wanderers and, while Matt Taylor delivered the decisive goal, the Finn was the prime cause of victory.

“His performance was unbelievable,” said his manager, Gary Megson.

“It was as good as you’re ever going to see. He will get the headlines and rightly so.”

With his blond mop and luminous green top as distinctive as his excellence, Jaaskelainen exerted a magnetic effect upon Hull’s efforts. Among 10 saves, a point-blank block to deflect Geovanni’s diving header attracted most acclaim.

“That was the turning point,” said Phil Brown. “He’s a world-class goalkeeper, certainly one of the best in the Premier League.”

Wanderers’ long-time assistant manager was thwarted by his former goalkeeper, who was abetted by the woodwork when Marlon King contrived to execute a mid-air volleyed back-heel with near perfection to strike the far post.

This was not the reunion Brown had envisaged and a familiarity with the Bolton ethos was of no assistance.

“The backs-to-the-wall, tin-hat mentality has over the years, been a Bolton trait,” he reflected.

Wanderers were able to mount a rearguard action after Taylor struck. He has long provided evidence that he can strike a ball beautifully with his left foot.

A half-volley from the edge of the penalty area, after Hull failed to clear a corner, may not rank among Taylor’s finest goals, but it was clinically dispatched nonetheless.

In harness with Jaaskelainen’s heroics, Taylor completed a fine week for Bolton. It is one that has provided respite for Megson, elevating his side from the foot of the table to the top half.

“It can be a springboard,” added the manager. Hull’s winning habit, meanwhile, has been mislaid. Momentum has been a feature of their start, but this was a third successive setback.

For the first time, they have acquired the wrong sort.