LONDON (AP) — American midfielder Stuart Holden played his first game in 16 months and only his second in 22 months, returning from knee surgery as Bolton defeated Sunderland 2-0 Tuesday night to advance to the FA Cup’s fourth round.
Holden entered in the 74th minute of the third-round replay. The 27-year-old, a member of the 2010 U.S. World Cup team, injured his right knee during a challenge by Manchester United’s Jonny Evans during a Premier League game on March 19, 2011. Holden returned from surgery to play in a League Cup match against Aston Villa that Sept. 20, then had another operation on the same knee eight days later.
Marvin Sordell scored a pair of goals for Bolton, converting a penalty kick in the 64th minute after Jack Colback fouled Darren Pratley and doubling the lead in the 73rd. Bolton hosts Everton in the next round on Jan. 26.
