West Ham manager Sam Allardyce singled out Kevin Nolan for special praise following their 1-0 Premier League win over Newcastle.

The midfielder got the only goal of the game against his former club, diverting Joey O’Brien’s effort into the net.

Allardyce took time after the game to credit his player’s recent form:

"That's five he's got now and the enormity of Kevin's goal record for us means he's our top scorer." He told SkySports.

"Our frontmen are not really scoring at the minute but we're sharing the goals out.

"And the way he played off Andy is what I liked the most. He really does sustain the attacks by holding the possession up.

"He read the situation well in the box. It's a tap-in but you've got to be there and Kevin always seems to get in the box at the right time."

The former Bolton and Blackburn coach was also delighted with the performance from his team and the result:

"It's a fantastic victory for us and a second away win," Allardyce told Sky Sports. "With Newcastle being one of the top six boys these days after last season it put some pressure on us.

"I said to the lads, it's a great time to come here as they played midweek on Thursday in Europe and I experienced it myself at Bolton that the hardest game to win is the next one.

"That gave us an opportunity here today and we took the opportunity with both hands.

"It was a great performance and a great three points from us away from home, especially after losing three players through injury. I couldn't ask any more from the players today."