BWFC v Portsmouth Saturday 30th December 2006

Well another win, that's five in a row our best run in the Premiership, took us to third! Nic Anelka bagged another one to clinch the win. Our lads had to show their fighting spirit once again after Matt Taylor had given fellow high-fliers Portsmouth an early lead = but we came from behind again to win! Abdoulaye Faye grabbed the equaliser and further goals came from Ivan Campo and Nicolas Anelka before Andy Cole got a second for the visitors.

The game started abysmally again for our team and brightly for Pompey as they took the lead after just 72 seconds when Matthew Taylor latched onto Andy Cole's pass to claim the game's opening goal and his fifth in six games. The Reebok fell silent - just like Boxing Day. However, the similarities between the games didn't end there.

Bolton weathered the storm which followed, and could have had an equaliser on 21 minutes when Kevin Nolan and Kevin Davies both went close within a minute of each other. Nolan's bouncing effort was flicked over the bar by Pompey defender Linvoy Primus and, when the corner broke to Davies at the far post, the former Southampton man should have gone closer with his volley

Once again our lads rallied and were back on level terms when David James made a hash of a Gary Speed cross to gift Abdoulaye Faye the chance to score his first goal in England. The boys then started to play. Anelka was great, showing that way. Our efforts paid off as we completed the turnaround five minutes before half-time when Ivan Campo followed up after James had parried a Kevin Davies effort.

Half time and we'd turned things around and come from behind once again. The second half started brightly for Bolton and Nicolas Anelka got on the end of a Davies cross to score a third and seemingly put the game beyond Pompey's reach. And we could have had a third in the 55th minute when Davies played Nolan in on goal, only for Pompey keeper James to block well with his legs. But the killer goal wasn't long in arriving, Davies sending a dangerous ball into the box that was taken out of James' grasp by Sol Campbell's touch and turned in at the far post by Anelka.
Cole grabbed a consolation goal for the visitors in the dying seconds, and the four minutes of added time provided brief hope of a late comeback, but the Reebok rearguard held firm to further cement their European credentials.  There was then a very nervy few minutes til the whistle blew.

So it's a another good win leaving us in third place in the Premiership, two points above Liverpool. The New Years day game has turned out to be a big one for us.

I was particularly pleased on two accounts - firstly Anelka, now our highest scorer, once again played extremely well - even when we were behind. Secondly, we won the game after being behind for the second time running. It shows the determination of the lads......  let's hope a European place awaits us - maybe even the Champions League? And just to make things even sweeter, the arse lost to Sheffield!!!!!  Well done those Blades!!

Big Sam says.............

Anelka showed some of the form today we've been expecting and he helped us to get the set-pieces that we thrive on," said Allardyce.

"He's hit a good run of form and we've got goalscorers now which have allowed us to see them (Portsmouth) off." Allardyce also saw Jaaskelainen keep his side ahead with great saves from Andy Cole and Niko Kranjcar. "There were some terrific saves by both goalkeepers so this game had everything," said the Bolton boss. "Harry will be very disappointed to come away with nothing but it is another terrific three points and another terrific performance!"

Match report by the Editor  (I wish Anelka had played for the other 17 Premiership clubs.....)

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