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Allardyce pleased with Uefa performance

21/10/2005

Bolton manager Sam Allardyce has hailed his team's draw in Istanbul last night in the Uefa Cup.

The team drew 1-1 with the Turkish side Besiktas in the opening game in Group G, with Allardyce saying he was "delighted" with the team's performance.

Despite Allardyce criticising a "stupid" lapse for the goal they conceded, he praised the role played by goalscorer Jared Borgetti, who left Mexico to play in England only last summer.

Allardyce commented: "We gave away a stupid early goal after five minutes to let Besiktas get their tails up but I thought we did extremely well after that.

"Jared Borgetti produced an absolutely superb strike and I thought from there on the teams were relatively even. In the second half we smothered them in terms of attacking flair."

He added: "The pitch was bad so sometimes the final ball did not look as good as it should have but, having made so many changes the team played like a team."

Bolton will look to maintain the momentum when they entertain West Bromwich Albion in Sunday's Premiership tie at the Reebok stadium.

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