SAM Allardyce treasured the magical talent that conjured up the golden goal that put Wanderers in sight of another season of Premiership riches today and boasted: "Jay-Jay is the bargain of the century!"

Wanderers are paying Okocha a king's ransom over the two years of the record-breaking contract he signed when he left Paris St Germain last summer but the investment will pay handsome dividends if it ensures another season of top flight football and top flight money.

The Reebok boss certainly believes every penny is being well spent.

Hailing the Nigerian World Cup star's matchwinning performance in Wanderers' most important win of the season, Allardyce maintained: "He's one of the cheaper players in the Premiership as a whole. He may be expensive for us but he looks the bargain of the century at the moment.

"It's a pleasure to have him and to watch his abilities on the field and to see how he helps bring the best out of the other people around him.

"We sat and watched in amazement at a wonderful goal by a great player that has won us three precious points. The difference between us winning and ... (he could not bring himself to voice the unthinkable alternative) was him and him alone. Although the efforts of the other players were magnificent, that piece of brilliance is what ultimately got us the three points.

"From start to finish he was the best man on the field. He proved that with his overall performance, not just in spasms."

Big Sam is destined to become the first Bolton manager for more than 40 years to secure a third successive top flight term - the latest phase in his bid to re-write the history of the club he has called his own since arriving at Burnden Park as a 15-year-old apprentice. But the celebrations will stay on hold until the mathematics confirm Wanderers' safety.

"Even though we are hugely pleased with the result, we have to go on and be professional enough and not think it's over," he insisted, although the expression of delight suggested the champagne is chilling nicely.

"As always you want to keep looking up. We want to get back in the pack and put pressure on other teams. It's not just us and West Ham.

"But, unfortunately for us, most of the pack won on Saturday - home or away - fantastic results for the teams down at the bottom of the division, which made our victory even more crucial. Only Leeds lost, apart from the teams in the bottom three. Fulham won, Villa won, Birmingham too. They all went onto 41 points which means they are definitely safe."

Okocha apart, Allardyce paid tribute to his defence, who had to contend with almost incessant second half pressure from a West Ham side fighting desperately for their Premiership lives. It was nail-biting stuff for the fans as Wanderers lost the rhythm that saw them take control just before half time, struggling at times to even get out of their own half. But Jussi Jaaskelainen did not have a save to make as the back line once again laid the foundation for a fourth win in five games.

"Give the defence and the goalkeeper credit," the manager acknowledged, "When needed, they limited West Ham to few chances. The four clean sheets in five games - and just one goal conceded - is the reason why we are onwards and upwards.

"Good players are showing they can handle the pressure and produce their best, which is important at this stage. They've coped with the pressure week in and week out."

Despite his reluctance to claim victory in the battle for survival, the Wanderers can draw parallels with last season's decisive 4-1 victory over Ipswich under almost identical circumstances and take encouragement from a fast-improving home record.

"It will be mentally very, very tough for West Ham now," he suggested, "as it was for Ipswich last year.

"And for us, after three victories on the trot here - which is the first time in the Premiership - this place has become our fortress."