Bolton's goalscorer, Jamaican Ricardo Gardner (second right), reacts with fellow team members Kevin Nolan (left) and Matt Taylor during their English Premier League football match against Manchester City at the Reebok Stadium, Bolton, England, yesterday. Bolton won 2-0. (Photo: AP)

LONDON, England (CMC) - Ricardo Fuller helped Stoke City stun Arsenal Saturday and his Jamaican international captain Ricardo Gardner inspired Bolton to victory over rich Manchester City in the English premier league.

Fuller hit the opening goal for home team Stoke as they thumped Arsenal 2-1 Saturday at Britannia Stadium and Gardner, on as a substitute, inspired Bolton Wanderers to a 2-0 win over Manchester City at Bolton's Reebok Stadium yesterday afternoon.

A trademark long throw from Rory Delap set up Stoke's first goal on 11 minutes.

He found Fuller on the edge of the six yard box and the Reggae Boy beat the Ivory Coast midfielder Kolo Toure in the air and deflected a glancing header into the corner of the goal.

It was another long, lofted throw into the area from Delap that set up the second goal which saw Sevi George Olofinjana bundling the ball past Almunia via two touches - one off his chest, the other off his head.

Robin Van Persie added to Arsenal's woes when he charged at Stoke's goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen, knocking him over and earning a red card for his trouble.

Gael Clichy made it 2-1 in the closing seconds with a deflected shot but it was not enough for Arsenal who lost key attackers Emmanuel Adebayor and Theo Walcott to injuries during the game.

Yesterday, Gardner, celebrating his 11th year at Bolton, struck a rare premiership goal in the 76th minute against City and their red-hot Brazilian star Robinho.

Gretar Rafn Steinsson sped down the right flank and ripped a brilliant low cross which Gardner fired in left-footed off the underside of the crossbar.

Gardner, who replaced the injured Mustapha Riga shortly before half-time, applied the finishing touch with a threatening low cross in the 88th minute that Richard Dunne could only deflect into his own goal.

Gardner's pace and energy ignited Bolton's second-half performance and he killed City's bid with his rapid move down the left that result in the own goal two minutes from the end.

His effort lifted Bolton off the relegation zone with only their third win of the season and eased the woes of his troubled manager Gary Megson.

After the match Megson paid tribute to goal-hero Ricardo Gardner.

"Bibi (Gardner) is one of the nicest people that you'll ever meet and the only reason he's not been in the side is that Matty Taylor's set-pieces are very good and he gives us a little bit more of a goal threat," Megson said.

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