"I love Anelka as a player and a man, so I am delighted I got the chance to play against him, and even more delighted I did well to help get a result for the team.

"Nicolas was in Clairefontaine like me. He was always held up as proof of what is possible. As a defender at Clairefontaine at the age of 12 or 13, you are shown videos of Nicolas Anelka to teach you how to defend against the best strikers in the world. I used to watch those videos and marvel at the runs he would make and the goals he would score. But I never thought I would get the chance to play against him.

"He is a legend in France, but he didn't score against me and I'm proud of that. Maybe watching all of those videos helped me predict what he was going to do.

"I have already been on the phone to my dad. I imagine he is very proud of me because he was also a massive Anelka fan when I was growing up. He will be telling all of his family and friends his son has played against Anelka.

"I am sure he will be desperately searching the television channels to see if he can find any highlights.

"This is probably the hardest ground in the Premier League to come to and get a result.

"We were always going to have to be very solid to come away with a point, and thankfully that is exactly what we were. We defended very well all match.''