JUSSI Jaaskelainen could be forgiven for a dose of temporary amnesia following his match-saving performance in Bolton's goal against Everton.

The Finn could not remember when or where his last clean sheet was, and referred to the West Ham game - which took place just seven days previously - as being three weeks ago!

But having spent the past 90 minutes keeping out 12 shots on target from England's fourth finest side it doesn't matter.

Everyone could see Michael Ricketts' joy after scoring for the first time in so long at West Ham last week.

And there were similar scenes of jubilation among the Bolton back line when the final whistle blew at Goodison Park.

It is no less than 16 games since Wanderers managed to avoid conceding a goal - the last occasion was versus the mighty Manchester United at Old Trafford on September 11.

This time it was Everton, one of the country's best teams at the moment, and one that has never failed to score at home in the Premiership under David Moyes.

They had failed to score just once in their previous 13 games leading up to Saturday, and strikers Tomasz Radzinski, Wayne Rooney and Kevin Campbell have 19 goals between them.

Jaaskelainen said: "It was very satisfying for the defence because we have been looking for a clean sheet for so long now - I can't even remember how long ago it is.

"The main thing is we have been fighting as a team and that started weeks ago with the game at West Ham. Well, that game seems like weeks ago anyway.

"Since West Ham we are starting to get to the level of defending we reached last season, not just the back group but the whole team.

"It's difficult to say if it is our best defensive performance of the season. Even though it is nice to get clean sheets the big thing is to get wins.

"It is a big point and after the last three games things are now looking much more positive."

Jaaskelainen was involved in a tussle with Rooney for much of the game, often saving in one-on-one situations from the teenage sensation.

After witnessing him first hand, the keeper feels he is destined for international honours sooner rather than later.

He said: "I must admit that Wayne Rooney is a quality player, and I would not be surprised if he was in the next England squad.

"He deserves that, you can see how sharp he is and after the game Gudni Bergsson said what a quality player he felt he was."