Allardyce sticks it to bitter Bolton

Allardyce said that three points for Newcastle, gained all too easily for the liking of Bolton fans, were far more important than proving a point himself.

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But after his hostile reception, he would not have been human without a little crowing after three goals in the opening 27 minutes got his Newcastle career off to the best possible start.

"We came here and played them off the park," said a clearly delighted Allardyce, who embraced his former assistant Sammy Lee, now his successor at Bolton. "These are the standards we have to set ourselves for the rest of the season.

"I have to admit I was a little more edgy and nervous than usual. To bring my Newcastle side here against my old club where I still have so many friends was special.

"The quality of our finishing was first-class,particularly with the first two goals.When I arrived at Bolton in 1999, I started winning matches. I will do the same at Newcastle even if it might take a year or two to get exactly where we want to be."

Eight glorious years turning Bolton from Nationwide League stragglers into a European outfit clearly counted for nothing to Wanderers fans still annoyed that he walked out on them and joined Newcastle towards the end of last season.

They booed his arrival and when Newcastle fans started chanting "Big Sam's black-and-white army" the howls of derision from home supporters reached a crescendo.

Maybe some of them had heard their chairman Phil Gartside tear him apart in a radio interview broadcast before kick-off, claiming he produced boring football and damaged the reputation of the club.

Allardyce turned his fire on the chairman rather than the fans. "I left Bolton in the best state they've ever been. I don't know why my former chairman keeps on saying things about me. He is obsessed.

"I thought the booing from the fans was banter. I waved to the Newcastle fans and they responded."

Allardyce won't care now.His new side outplayed his old one in the first half-hour. While he sat calm and collected next to Newcastle deputy chairman Chris Mort — at the end of the row,as far away from Gartside as possible — Bolton's new man, "Little Sam", paced the touchline in an ill-fitting suit and a microphone set that made him look more like an extra from Doctor Who than a boss in full control.

"I can't put my finger on why we were so poor but I will find out," said the already beleaguered Lee.

"The only thing in our favour is that we gave a response in the second half. I would have been really angry if we had performed in the second half like we did in the first."

Injuries to key players like Michael Owen, Damien Duff and Emre forced Allardyce to experiment with winger Charles N'Zogbia at left back, defender Geremi employed on the right wing and striker Alan Smith at the apex of a midfield diamond.

It mattered little. Bolton, featuring three new faces,were such a collection of strangers in the opening half-hour, any formation would have done for Newcastle.

Amdy Faye and Jussi Jaaskelainen had already made vital interceptions before Newcastle took the lead after 11 minutes. N'Zogbia whipped in a free-kick towards a heap of bodies in the penalty area and David Rozehnal distracted the entire Bolton back line by straining his neck to reach a header.

The £2 million Czech debutant did not reach the ball but his efforts confused Jaaskelainen and the setpiece passed direct into his bottom right-hand corner. Allardyce blinked and stared, trying so hard not to smile it must have hurt. And the news just got better and better as Newcastle ran his ramshackle former club ragged.

Martins got his first after 21 minutes when he controlled a cross from James Milner with his chest and fired in an acrobatic bicycle kick with his back to goal. Bolton's defenders ran en masse to referee Chris Foy to complain in vain about offside and/or handball. Neither charge was given any serious thought by the official.

Bolton claimed a penalty when Gary Speed's shot was kept out by Smith and Steven Taylor but Newcastle's killer third goal arrived on 27 minutes. Taylor's regulation ball was allowed to reach Martins and although his low shot lacked venom, it deflected off the heels of Faye. Jaaskelainen had already started to dive the wrong way and was unable to change direction, although his final effort to keep the ball out with his right leg was laughably feeble.

The only crumb of comfort for Lee was his small victory at the start of the second half. He threw on El-Hadji Diouf and that had more effect than Allardyce's decision to come down to the dug-out.

Bolton enjoyed their best spell and could even boast the best goal of the game through Nicolas Anelka five minutes after the restart. Gavin McCann,Bolton's most expensive summer purchase at £1m from Aston Villa, started the move in his own area, releasing Kevin Nolan after a barnstorming run. Nolan picked out Anelka and the French striker took a great first touch and then shot past Steve Harper. Bolton rallied briefly but to no avail.

Those fans who gave Allardyce such an ungenerous welcome probably wish he was still at the Reebok.