Anelka humble Arsenal with 2 goals
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Arsenal have fallen again at the Reebok stadium as Bolton Wanderers defeated the Gunners 3-1.
Nicolas Anelka grabbed the headlines with two goals - to take his team up to third in the Barclays Premiership table - after failing to score in his first 10 league games for Wanderers.
Abdoulaye Faye headed them in front in the ninth minute before a spectacular 25-yarder from Anelka. Gilberto made it 2-1 just before the break, but the French forward slotted in a third after 75 minutes to kill the game.
Allardyce told Sky PremPlus: "We were disappointed when we came in at half-time and we knew it was going to be difficult. But it was a terrific battling performance; we defended when we needed to and we pounced at the right time.
"We had a little bit of fortune today. The woodwork was in our favour, but you can't deny us a win today - particularly with a goal like that from Nicolas. That will be up there for goal of the season."
Bolton forward Kevin Davies escaped with a booking for a shove on Emmanuel Eboue after 20 minutes - and asked if he felt the player could have been dismissed, Allardyce admitted: "In today's rules and regulations that could have been the case, but in Kevin's favour if someone comes sprinting at you are bound to defend yourself. We had a lot of bookings today, but it was a cracking win for us.
"It's a great victory. We can relax a bit now and get ready for Chelsea [on Wednesday]."
Nicolas Anelka grabbed the headlines with two goals - to take his team up to third in the Barclays Premiership table - after failing to score in his first 10 league games for Wanderers.
Abdoulaye Faye headed them in front in the ninth minute before a spectacular 25-yarder from Anelka. Gilberto made it 2-1 just before the break, but the French forward slotted in a third after 75 minutes to kill the game.
Allardyce told Sky PremPlus: "We were disappointed when we came in at half-time and we knew it was going to be difficult. But it was a terrific battling performance; we defended when we needed to and we pounced at the right time.
"We had a little bit of fortune today. The woodwork was in our favour, but you can't deny us a win today - particularly with a goal like that from Nicolas. That will be up there for goal of the season."
Bolton forward Kevin Davies escaped with a booking for a shove on Emmanuel Eboue after 20 minutes - and asked if he felt the player could have been dismissed, Allardyce admitted: "In today's rules and regulations that could have been the case, but in Kevin's favour if someone comes sprinting at you are bound to defend yourself. We had a lot of bookings today, but it was a cracking win for us.
"It's a great victory. We can relax a bit now and get ready for Chelsea [on Wednesday]."
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