Okocha shows Spurs what they missed

Jay-Jay Okocha's virtuoso performance left its mark on battered Tottenham but, more importantly, gave Bolton real hope that they can avoid their annual Premiership battle for survival.

And if that wasn't bad enough for a disgruntled White Hart Lane, Okocha increased the agony for Spurs fans by revealing: 'This is the club I wanted to join when I came to England.'

The former Paris St-Germain crowd pleaser, who rocked the crossbar three times, had sufficiently softened up Tottenham goalkeeper Kasey Keller, who could only push out his 73rd-minute shot, allowing Kevin Nolan to seal a one-sided 1-0 victory.

The richly-talented Nigerian said: 'Before I signed for Bolton I indicated I would love to come to Spurs but it didn't work out. I didn't talk to Glenn Hoddle but I think my agent did. I don't think he needed a player like me.' On the evidence of this display, maybe recently sacked manager Hoddle was worried about losing his title of the training ground skills king.

Spurs have been crying out for an entertainer to follow in the footsteps of Paul Gascoigne and David Ginola and Okocha could have taken over the mantle.

Not only did Okocha dazzle like Gazza and Ginola, but he also completely turned the game as Bolton boss Sam Allardyce explained: 'Jay-Jay frightened the Tottenham players in midfield. He unnerved them after they had got off to a comfortable start.

'Where he pops up he's not easy to mark and when he's in that mood he has the ability to get past people and open up the whole game. Our front three got the service which encouraged them to go into the box and finally it paid off.'