Leeds United head coach Steve Evans has revealed he knew Mirco Antenucci would score a brace in his side's 2-1 win over Bolton Wanderers at Elland Road today.
The home side suffered an early blow in the game when full-back Lewie Coyle collided with Bolton's Jay Spearing and needed to be stretchered off the pitch in the 20th minute.
But Leeds recovered from losing the defender and took the lead in the 39th minute through Antenucci.
A Mustapha Carayol corner, helped on by Liam Cooper, found its way to the Italian, who made no mistake with a volley into the back of the net.
In the second half, on the hour mark, Leeds doubled their advantage and it was Antenucci again with the finish, as he hit an impressive curling shot.
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However, Bolton had hope in the 73rd minute when Dean Moxey picked out Kaiyne Woolery, who blasted his shot past Marco Silvesti.
Elland Road became nervy, but Leeds held on and saw out the game to claim all three points.
And Evans was happy with Antenucci's display, and revealed he had predicted the striker would score twice.
"I had a chat with him after the team meal and I said 'you're going to get two goals'", Evans said on LUTV.
"I'm sure he'll ask me what the lottery is tonight."
Evans feels that Antenucci's second goal, a curling shot, was worthy of winning any game.
"It's a goal that deserves to win a match. He works so hard."
The Leeds boss also brushed aside thoughts Bolton, because of their struggles, were always going to be easy pickings, adding: "It was very hard.
"People look at Bolton and where they are and they forget the quality of individual players and the quality of the manager they've got."
