Daniel Sturridge does the damage for Bolton in defeat of Everton

Owen Coyle and David Moyes share a heritage, career path and managerial reputation but one critical distinction divided the Glaswegians here. One managed a team, the other a passionless group of individuals, and it naturally follows that Bolton's collective are eyeing the Europa League while Everton are drifting towards a relegation fight. "That performance was as bad as I can remember since I've been in charge," said Everton's manager of almost nine years. There was a time, not too long ago, when Everton were lauded for team spirit and Moyes for inspiring a unit to punch above its weight. Those qualities could be found only in Coyle and his Bolton side on Sunday, and their absence from Everton's display does not cover the litany of the visitors' weaknesses. Everton were complacent from the start, careless throughout and, worst of all for a side managed by Moyes, uncommitted. "I've thought we were in a relegation battle since the third weekend of the season," he said. "But I think we've got the players who should be able to get out of it." Everton undoubtedly have talent in the likes of Mikel Arteta, Marouane Fellaini, Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, John Heitinga and Tim Cahill but the biggest names were among the poorest performers here and Moyes' verdict hinted at deep-lying problems at Goodison Park. He said: "We didn't function today. The toughness that we've had wasn't there and it was required. We didn't compete hard enough. Maybe I've just gone a bit soft on them." Moyes heads to Chelsea on Saturday with Everton's season resting on an FA Cup fourth-round replay, beyond Premier League survival. He can only hope for a visit as successful as Coyle's recent expedition to Stamford Bridge. Whereas Everton reduced their squad in January and were unable to finance one striker on loan, the temporary acquisition of Daniel Sturridge from the champions has reinvigorated Bolton. His third goal in three games capped an energetic, incisive display from a young striker who hopes to replicate Jack Wilshere's successful loan spell under Coyle. His standing ovation on being substituted was fully merited. "It is only three points but it was a terrific performance. There are so many positives to take," said the Bolton manager, who had presided over a run of one win in seven league matches before this game. It did not show as the home side began with a confidence, enthusiasm and intelligence that proved beyond their opponents. Only nine minutes had elapsed when Bolton took the lead and yet it had been long coming. Victor Anichebe, the visitors' lone striker, was adjudged to have fouled Paul Robinson – "a scandalous decision," said Moyes – and Everton defended Stuart Holden's free-kick in a manner befitting their lackadaisical approach. Gary Cahill was the only player to attack the ball, Sylvain Distin left his marker and his team-mates stood back as the England international his first goal of the season, a header that deflected in off Heitinga. While Kevin Davies and Johan Elmander remain as crucial to Bolton's approach under Coyle as they did his predecessors, it was the pace and movement of Sturridge that continually unnerved the Everton defence. Tim Cahill should have levelled from Everton's first attack but prodded wastefully wide from a cross by Leighton Baines, the only visiting player who escapes criticism. Arteta played Anichebe through on goal but an excellent recovery tackle by Zat Knight blocked the shot at great personal expense. Knight's leg twisted badly under the considerable weight of the Nigerian striker and, after a brave attempt to continue, he was eventually carried off with suspected knee ligament damage. Bolton settled the contest midway through the second half through Sturridge. Gary Cahill again caused problems in the opposition area and, when the substitute Lee Chung-yong beat Baines in the air, the loose ball fell perfectly for the forward to finish into the far corner.