SAM Allardyce's achievement in becoming the first newly-promoted manager to win his first three Premiership games received the recognition it deserved when he picked up the Barclaycard Manager of the Month award for August.

The first Bolton manager ever to win one of the monthly Premiership awards, Allardyce was the only serious candidate after Wanderers stormed to the top of the table with victories over Leicester, Middlesbrough and Liverpool and boasted the only one hundred per cent record in the division.

He said today: "It's a great pleasure for me to accept the award and I'd like to thank all my players and backroom staff for all their hard work."

The decision was made by the Barclaycard Awards Panel, which includes representatives from football's governing bodies, the media and the sponsors.

"This is a richly deserved award for a highly popular figure in football," the panel said.

"Survival in the Barclarcard Premiership for a newly-promoted side will be an achievement in itself. To win your first three games and go top of the table is outstanding. While many tipped Bolton to struggle in the top flight, their battling qualities and ability to play attractive football have proved they can mix it with the best.

"Their impressive victory over Liverpool proved they are going to be a highly competitive outfit."