Bolton Wanderers boss Owen Coyle says that his team's 5-0 victory over Stoke yesterday could be put down to divine intervention.

"When I went to mass last night, the local priest was brilliant and announced 'Let's pray for the Wanderers'," Coyle revealed. "So I knew He was onside as well."

Bolton's win put an end to a run of seven straight home league defeats, and also gained revenge for the 5-0 defeat they suffered to Stoke in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley in April.

"There is no getting away from how crucial this win was," Coyle added.

"You have to accept that when you have made a slow start, as we have, every game gets bigger.

"This only moves us up one place but it catapults us up there with seven or eight teams and keeps us on an upward spiral."

The win means that Bolton move up to 18th place in the Premier League table, while Stoke drop to 12th.