AT 3.26am on Saturday morning Sam Allardyce was probably in the land of nod dreaming of how his return to Bolton would pan out.

An early goal for his new side followed by a hard-working defensive performance. Bolton would threaten the Newcastle goal but fail to find that elusive equaliser.

A victory on his return but a resilient performance by the Trotters that augured well for life under their new manager, Sammy Lee. Exactly twelve hours later and Bolton were 3-0 down, Allardyce was off to a dream start as Newcastle boss and his erstwhile assistant didn't know where to look.

Bolton were awful and no doubt saw their odds for relegation shorten by the minute, and Newcastle made them pay for their rank ineptness. They did rally after the break - possibly stirred by seeing Allardyce move from director's box to dug-out, albeit the opposition's - but not even Nicolas Anelka could spoil Big Sam's day.

Nor could the home fans that booed him as he arrived at the stadium, nor even Stephen Carr, who was at fault for Anelka's goal.

Three points, top of the league, and knocking Sunderland off their early afternoon perch on goal difference - now that is worth dreaming about.