Good Win

[jayp]

NEWCASTLE United manager Sam Allardyce made a dream return to Bolton Wanderers, as his new team eased to a 3-1 English Premier League win today (AEST) against the club he left shortly last season.

They say that size doesn't matter, but "Big Sam" certainly triumphed comfortably at the Reebok against a side now managed by Sammy Lee, his former assistant who is inevitably known as "Little Sam".

The outcome was rarely in doubt from the time France's Charles N'Zogbia gave the Toon an 11th-minute lead with its 800th Premiership goal.

Nigeria striker Obafemi Martins added two more (21 and 27mins) either side of a penalty appeal by Bolton, which was justified in the claim.

But the Trotters deserved little from their opening game than the 50th-minute consolation goal from France forward Nicolas Anelka.

Lee will be worried by the way his players failed to stamp any authority on the match, while Allardyce was left immensely satisfied by his team, which clicked into gear despite being without six international players.

Four of Allardyce's pre-season signings were not even in the starting line-up and it was N'Zogbia, a player who could have been sold by Sam, who was responsible for the breakthrough.

N'Zogbia, a midfield player who was deployed at left back, claimed the credit for the way he whipped in a free kick after James Milner was fouled.

But, as the Bolton defence reacted with uncertainty and the ball found its way past Finland goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen, former Paris St Germain defender David Rozehnal also played a crucial role.

The Czech Republic international surged forward and confused Jaaskelainen, who was unsure whether Rozehnal would get a final touch.

It was no surprise that Bolton had conceded a goal so early as it had been stretched in the opening exchanges.

Bolton's Jlloyd Samuel was nearly embarrassed after only five minutes of his debut.

The former Aston Villa full back hammered a clearance straight at Faye and Jaaskelainen was grateful to palm away the rebound at close range.

There was no reprieve for Samuel, though, when Newcastle extended its lead with a spectacular, 21st-minute Martin goal.

The defender was left outnumbered when he failed to deal with a James Milner cross, although Samuel had some justification for saying he was fouled by Australia striker Mark Viduka.

The ball fell to Martins and, with Bolton appealing in vain for offside, he scored with a startling overhead kick.

Bolton desperately needed a quick reply and thought it had achieved it just three minutes later in an incident that surely dictated the outcome of the game.

Toon striker Alan Smith appeared to handle as he cleared a goalbound shot from former Newcastle midfield player Gary Speed, but Bolton's appeals were rejected by referee Chris Foy.

The penalty could so easily have been awarded and Bolton would have been given hope if had scored from the spot, and Newcastle had been reduced to 10 men by the invevitable dismissal of Smith.

Instead, the Toon survived and put the game out of Bolton's reach with another Martins goal within three minutes.

Once again, Newcastle enjoyed a generous slice of good fortune.

Steven Taylor's clearance found Martins and, with Bolton's defence failing to close him down quickly, the striker fired in a left-foot shot that deflected off Faye and wrong-footed Jaaskelainen.

Bolton rarely threatened to find a response. Lee sent on El Hadji Diouf in place of Ricardo Vaz Te at the start of the second half and he finally managed to inject some life into the home side.

It almost hit the target within two minutes when goalkeeper Steve Harper saved well from Speed and Anelka finally found a way past Harper.

He produced an assured finish to steer a shot into the far corner after being set free by a Kevin Nolan pass.

It was the signal for a far more spirited performance from Bolton, but it lacked the ingenuity to break down Newcastle's defence and the Magpies played out their first victory at the Reebok in six years.

[Spencer89]

Thought smith was outstanding today. So brave and his workrate is second to none

[Dexter]

I like big Sam and look forward to see what he can do with a side that has money.