Big Sam angry with referee

Sam Allardyce was critical of Steve Bennett after Bolton's defeat to Arsenal.

Allardyce feels that Dennis Bergkamp fouled Tal Ben Haim in the build-up to Freddie Ljungberg's early goal - before Diouf's dismissal for a lash out at Jens Lehmann gave them a mountain to climb.

"We certainly felt that Tal had won the ball cleanly off Dennis Bergkamp, and Bergkamp brought him to the ground," said Allardyce.

"The ball went free and it was picked up by Pires and it's a great ball, great run and great goal from Ljungberg after that.

"I don't dispute that. But the way they won possession was hugely disputable and at that stage of the game to go 1-0 down against Arsenal left us with a big, big battle.

"I cannot understand why Steve Bennett didn't give it.

"As always you can't lift your hands whether you don't hit them or only slight touch them. The goalkeeper's made a meal of it and used gamesmanship to get [Diouf] sent off - but the referee had no choice.

"Lehmann went over to intimidate him - he had no need to do that - and El Hadji has reacted.

"You've got to be able to control yourself in these situations and the only way you should react is to play your normal game.

"El Hadji's normal game destroyed Arsenal here last time but unfortunately he's not had the opportunity to do it.

"The sad thing is we got Arsenal on a good time because they were fatigued by Wednesday night's game.

"At ten men we gave their 11 men a hell of a game which says something about our men."