Match report

Bolton Defeats Bradford 3-0 in EFL Trophy

Bolton
Bolton
3–0
FT
Bradford
Bradford
Dec 2, 2025

Bolton's powerful performance secured a 3-0 victory over Bradford in the EFL Trophy, with standout striker I. Cissoko netting twice and M. Forss adding another goal. The victory keeps Bolton's momentum strong in the competition.

Key Facts

  • • Bolton's I. Cissoko scored two goals (11' and 20')
  • • M. Forss added the third goal for Bolton (69')
  • • Bradford made multiple substitutions in a bid to turn the tide, but failed to score
  • • Bradford received two yellow cards for fouls

Lineups

Bolton

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 27 T. Miller (G)
  • 29 C. Christie (D)
  • 15 W. Forrester (D)
  • 6 G. Johnston (D)
  • 5 R. Taylor (D)
  • 4 X. Simons (M)
  • 21 E. Erhahon (M)
  • 24 M. Forss (M)
  • 45 J. McAtee (M)
  • 20 I. Cissoko (M)
  • 10 S. Dalby (F)

Substitutes

  • 1 T. Sharman-Lowe
  • 25 M. Conway
  • 2 J. Dacres-Cogley
  • 8 J. Sheehan
  • 16 A. Morley
  • 17 J. Randall
  • 48 M. Burstow

Bradford

Formation: 5-4-1

Starting XI

  • 1 S. Walker (G)
  • 32 G. Lapslie (D)
  • 5 N. Byrne (D)
  • 4 J. Wright (D)
  • 3 I. Touray (D)
  • 19 L. Richards (D)
  • 23 B. Pointon (M)
  • 20 T. Leigh (M)
  • 6 M. Power (M)
  • 21 J. Metcalfe
  • 11 S. Humphrys (F)

Substitutes

  • 25 J. Hilton
  • 7 J. Neufville
  • 9 A. Cook
  • 10 A. Sarcevic
  • 14 T. McIntyre
  • 15 A. Baldwin
  • 24 W. Swan

Timeline

  1. Bolton
    11' Bolton Goal · Normal Goal
    I. Cissoko · Assist: M. Forss
  2. Bolton
    20' Bolton Goal · Normal Goal
    I. Cissoko
  3. Bolton
    37' Bolton subst · Substitution 1
    Off: John McAtee · On: J. Randall
  4. Bradford
    46' Bradford subst · Substitution 1
    Off: L. Richards · On: Josh Neufville
  5. Bradford
    46' Bradford subst · Substitution 2
    Off: S. Humphrys · On: A. Cook
  6. Bradford
    60' Bradford subst · Substitution 3
    Off: J. Wright · On: A. Baldwin
  7. Bolton
    64' Bolton subst · Substitution 2
    Off: George Johnston · On: M. Conway
  8. Bolton
    64' Bolton subst · Substitution 3
    Off: E. Erhahon · On: J. Sheehan
  9. Bolton
    69' Bolton Goal · Normal Goal
    M. Forss · Assist: S. Dalby
  10. Bradford
    70' Bradford Card · Yellow Card
    Ibou Touray

    Foul

  11. Bradford
    71' Bradford Card · Yellow Card
    Josh Neufville

    Foul

  12. Bradford
    74' Bradford subst · Substitution 4
    Off: G. Lapslie · On: T. McIntyre
  13. Bradford
    75' Bradford subst · Substitution 5
    Off: Max Power · On: W. Swan
  14. Bolton
    78' Bolton subst · Substitution 4
    Off: Xavier Simons · On: A. Morley
  15. Bolton
    78' Bolton subst · Substitution 5
    Off: M. Forss · On: M. Burstow

Match Stats

Stat Bolton Bradford
Fouls 4 21
Pass Accuracy 86% 76%
Offsides 3 2
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 12 9
Corners 4 1
Total Passes 580 337
Yellow Cards 0 2
Blocked Shots 1 2
Shots on Target 3 1
xG — —
Shots off Target 8 6
Possession 63% 37%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 498 255
Shots Inside Box 8 6
Saves 1 0
Shots Outside Box 4 3

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Bolton took an early lead with I. Cissoko's goal in the 11th minute, setting the tone for the match
  • ▸ The second goal by I. Cissoko in the 20th minute cemented Bolton's control, leaving Bradford struggling to respond
  • ▸ Bradford's yellow cards in the 70th and 71st minutes further hindered their comeback efforts