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Bolton win is Allardyce relief

All cameras were directed at Bolton coach Sam Allardyce at the end of the team`s match against Portsmouth Monday. So were reporters` questions. What people saw was one happy coach, relieved, it seemed, after a rough week. In fact, Allardyce`s celebrations on the final whistle looked like an out-pouring of relief as well as frustration.

Bolton won 1-0 off a goal by the captain Kevin Nolan. It was their first game since last Tuesday`s Panorama program on BBC, which carried allegations against the team manager for taking a bung off player`s trades. When reporters asked the coach about the allegations, he was angered, saying "You`re out of order asking that question." Nolan on his part expressed his support of his coach after the game, saying "That win was for him."

It was the first goal Portsmouth had conceded in 473 minutes of Premiership football. It was their first loss of the season, and brings them to third place after six games. However, they outplayed sixth place Bolton for most of the game, yet were not able to score a goal. In fact, Allardyce`s team had a chance to increase their lead when Nolan`s header in the 73rd minute went high from six meters.