Diouf's farewell gift starts the party at Bolton

Ecstatic Trotters fans certainly believe that their superior goal difference over relegation rivals Reading and Fulham means they are likely to survive, even if they lose at Chelsea a week today.

For most of this game a 41st-minute goodbye goal from El-Hadji Diouf looked like being one of the most valuable parting shots of the season. Sunderland's Daryl Murphy then headed an own goal with eight minutes left and the party went into full swing as relief swept the Reebok.

Manager Gary Megson was unduly cautious when he said: "We look as though we are in a decent position but we're still not mathematically safe. We've got to get through this Chelsea game when the wheels could come off, but it would take something special from the likes of Reading and Fulham to drag us back into it.

"When I came here we only had five points from ten games. If we'd kept that up we'd have been relegated so there has been an improvement. I can't ask any more of the players in terms of effort. In terms of where we are and where we were, we have done magnificently."

Bolton owe their good fortune to an unlikely run of ten points from their last four matches, which contrasts sharply with their return of one point from their previous eight games. And Diouf, who has made it known he is leaving the club with Lancashire neighbours Manchester City favourites for his signature, broke a dour first-half stalemate just when Bolton were running short of ideas.

There was always the danger of a sting in Sunderland's tail until the goal that clinched it. Goalkeeper Craig Gordon and Murphy went for the same Matt Taylor corner and the ball came off the Sunderland forward's head, with Andy Reid making a desperate but unsuccessful effort to prevent the ball crossing the line. In spite of enjoying more of the ball in the first half, Wanderers appeared to lack the ideas to make their possession count.

Sunderland were content to contain but on the half-hour came a reminder of their goal threat when Kenwyne Jones, who later missed a sitter, went on a solo run before firing in a shot that forced Ali Al Habsi into a full length save. With Megson and opposite number Roy Keane concentrating on packing the midfield, the middle third at times looked as static as the M25 at rush hour.

But the Reebok suddenly found its voice after Diouf gave Bolton a 41st-minute lead. Skipper Kevin Nolan popped up on the right, ironically in the position where the Senegalese player had operated for most of the first half.

This time Diouf, who later hit a post, was on the end of a cross that evaded everybody in a crowded goalmouth and he smashed a rising right-footer into the roof of the net. Megson is still hoping to persuade Diouf to change his mind after the player declared three weeks ago that he would leave whether or not they stayed up.

"At home he is a massive strength for us — away from home he doesn't get as well looked after," said Bolton's boss. "I told him he was playing on Monday and that, in view of what he had said, this could be his last home game and it would be important for him to do well. He did a great job for us today. I hope nobody comes in for him but if they do we'll listen to offers and if the right one comes in he can go."

There seemed no change of heart from Diouf, though, when he said: "I'm happy Bolton are staying up. It's important to me that I can come back with another club and play here next season."