NICOLAS Anelka has revealed how his first Premiership goal helped him beat the Bolton blues.

The France international took time to adapt to life at the Reebok, following his record-breaking £8million summer switch from Fenerbahce.

Apart from a tap-in against League One side Walsall in the Carling Cup, Anelka had to wait until the end of November to open his league account, which he did in grand style with his celebrated double against his former club Arsenal in a 3-1 victory.

Since then he has established himself as the club's top scorer. His instinctively-struck match-winner at Watford was his ninth of the season, eight of which have come in the Premiership, and suddenly life is sweet again.

"My first goal for Bolton triggered something in my mind," Anelka said.

"Since then I have gone on scoring because I had trust again. Trust is the key for a forward."

In the early days, Anelka struggled to come to terms with Wanderers' playing style. Never before had he operated as a lone striker and there were occasions when he appeared to be critical of tactics.

Now, he says, he is much more comfortable in the role and was happy to bang the drum for Sam Allardyce and his team after his substitute appearance for France in their 1-0 defeat by Argentina on Wednesday.

"At Bolton we are able to combine long balls with short balls, when before it was only long balls," Anelka told the French publication L'Equipe, suggesting his recruitment had influenced a change.

"We play better football now."

Although he will lead the attack against Fulham at the Reebok tomorrow, Anelka could not resist looking ahead to another duel with Arsenal in next Wednesday's FA Cup replay, when he hopes to help Wanderers secure a home tie against Blackburn in the last 16.

"Playing Arsenal always has a special flavour for me," he said. "Arsenal is a great club, a great team and an extraordinary footballing side.

"It will be a battle. Even if Bolton are Arsenal's bogey side, it will be very heated, because it is the cup."

Meanwhile, Anelka is hoping for a chance in France's next international in Lithuania, but knows Raymond Domenech has other options as well.

"We have four or five forwards and the best will play," he added. "In football, things can happen so quickly. It was (David) Trezeguet and (Thierry) Henry (against Argentina), but who will play in Lithuania?