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IRNA - Iranian international midfielder Andranik Teymourian has been praised for his impressive form after starting his first English Premiership game for Bolton Wanderers in north- west England.

"I think Andranik's performance was very pleasing indeed," Bolton coach Sam Allardyce said, after seeing his team defeat London club, Fulham, 2-1 on Sunday.

"Andranik has got excellent qualities. He has got a terrific engine and a really good ability in terms of not just passing but popping up in the box at the right time," said Allardyce.

Teymourian was transferred to Bolton from his Iranian club Abu Moslem last August, when he signed on a two-year contract for the Premier league club.

Although he has made several appearances as substitute and played from the kick-off in cup games, including scoring two goals, the Fulham match was his first start in a Premiership game.

Allardyce, who was a contender to take over as England team coach from Sven Goran Erikkson during the summer, also praised the way the 23 year old Iranian international had rapidly acclimatised to life in England.

"I think he has settled in and got used to the lifestyle in this country a lot quicker than I thought he would and that is showing in his game," he said.

The premiership latest news site said Teymourian had an abundance of talent and believed that his showing on Sunday had undoubtedly ensured the 2006 World Cup star will remain at the forefront of Bolton's plans as they look towards European qualification.

He is the second Iranian international to play in England's top league after Karim Bagheri, whose spell at London's Charlton Athletic was plagued by injuries during the 2000-01 season.

With 11 games to go, the north-west English club is currently placed fifth in the league, the prime position for qualification for the EUFA Cup next season and just two points behind fourth placed Arsenal, which would earn qualification for the Champions League.

Bolton is one of the original founding members of England's Football League and won qualification to play for the UEFA cup last year for the first time in the club's history after being revived under Allardyce since winning promotion to the Premiership in 2001.

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