Backing for 'night out'

9:31am Tuesday 13th May 2008

GARY Megson said his players had his full backing to go out and celebrate after the Sunderland victory - and even paid the bill.

Sir Alex Ferguson claimed Wanderers stars had been out all week partying after defeating the Wearsiders on the penultimate weekend of the season to all-but secure Premier League survival.

The Manchester United boss felt the Reebok outfit had taken their eye of the ball ahead of Sunday's crucial final day of the campaign.

But Megson insists Bolton's battling 1-1 draw at Chelsea, which completed a remarkable upturn in fortunes after Wanderers looked to be relegation certainties with just five games renmaining, proved Ferguson's allegations were way off the mark.

"Nobody could complain about the players' effort and the way they did the job," said the Wanderers manager, who had no fears a night out would impact on the preparations for the trip to Stamford Bridge.

"The players went out on the Monday and the game was on the Sunday - six days away. They probably had too much to drink and got a little bit giddy, well I know they did because I paid the bill, but they were back in for training the next day as usual."

Olympic silver medal for Jason