A controversial strike by midfielder Gary Speed set Bolton Wanderers on their way to a 2-0 Premier League victory over Liverpool at the Reebok on Saturday.

With nearly half an hour gone, Liverpool keeper Jose Reina was judged by a linesman to have carried the ball outside his area before clearing upfield. Spaniard Ivan Campo teed up the resulting free kick for Speed, playing his 750th league game, to lash home.

However, television replays clearly suggested that Reina was inside his area before throwing the ball up into the air and making contact inside the box.

There was little doubt about Bolton's second, though, when Campo met a Kevin Davies cross from the right, sending the ball onto the bar and over the line in the 51st minute.

Liverpool had plenty of possession, but their passing lacked any real rhythm, their efforts on goal were largely off-target and the result was a third consecutive away loss this season.

Delighted with the win, Bolton manager Sam Allardyce told Sky Sports: "It was good -- because this is one of the big boys.

"It's a performance by a team who have nullified, closed down, worked very hard and had a game plan that has frustrated Liverpool for all the game.

"We might have been a bit fortunate with the free kick, but we've taken full advantage of it."