sunday papers bolton

Independent:
Mourinho revels in that special feeling Bolton Wanderers 0 - Chelsea 2 By Steve Tongue at the Reebok Stadium 01 May 2005
Just champion, as they say in this part of the world, though only after Chelsea had produced possibly their most feeble 45 minutes' work of the season. A significant improvement in tempo and accuracy after half-time brought two smartly taken goals from Frank Lampard, enabling the west London club to celebrate their title, at last, after 50 years of waiting.
The additional week's waiting after failing to win at home to Arsenal recently will be long forgotten once the record books appear commemorating Jose Mourinho's continuing run of success. But he and his squad cannot afford to dwell on it yet, as they spend the weekend in the North-west before Tuesday's critical Champions' League semi-final at Liverpool.
Bolton, encouraged before the start by Everton, Liverpool and Middlesbrough all dropping important points, were the better side for half an hour or more, but suffered a lack of defensive discipline in conceding the second goal quarter of an hour from time. After lying 14th on New Year's Day, they have still not given up hope of overhauling Everton, their opponents here on the final day, for what we have to assume will be the fourth Champions' League place.
The Bolton manager, Sam Allardyce, has rather audaciously claimed some of the credit for Chelsea's success this season, in that the 2-2 draw his side salvaged at Stamford Bridge in November, after being 2-0 down, showed them the value of direct football and set-pieces.
It certainly proved that Petr Cech, John Terry and company were vulnerable to that most up-and-at-'em British style which Bolton - paradoxically given Allardyce's cosmopolitan recruiting policy - typify. Always have done, in fact; one of Chelsea's 1955 heroes reminded us that in his day "Bolton were the hardest team and nasty with it". Those selected yesterday knew they would again have to face a physical challenge as well as a diet of long throws and longer balls, and so it proved.
Keen as he was to secure the title at last, it was inevitable that even as focused a man and manager as Mourinho would have one eye on Tuesday night at Anfield, which was reflected in his team selection. Glen Johnson, one of only two fit full-backs, was rested and Joe Cole was a substitute, while Arjen Robben, who had insisted he was not fit to start against Liverpool last Wednesday, again had his way and sat the evening out.
That meant Geremi filling in at right-back in his first Premiership start since August, with Jiri Jarosik on the left of a midfield diamond behind Eidur Gudjohnsen and Didier Drogba. As is often the case with that formation, there was a lack of width, which the Chelsea full-backs were in no position to supply, occupied as they were with containing Bolton's wide attackers, Stelios Giannokopoulos and a fired-up El Hadji Diouf.
Consequently, there was no threat whatever to the home goal for the whole of the first half, though Cech at the other end for once had to earn his corn. He made his first save as early as the third minute, from Stelios's close-range jab. It followed one of Jay-Jay Okocha's deep throws, the next of which brought a booking for Claude Makelele, illegally jumping in front of him. Kevin Davies headed wide and missed the best opportunity of the half in the 23rd minute, losing Terry to meet Bruno N'Gotty's free-kick with a header lacking the required degree of power. Terry did better a minute later, getting across to tackle as Diouf escaped down the left. Chelsea improved a little in the second quarter of the game, but much of the passing was untidy and Jarosik's two woefully inaccurate 25 yarders were as close - if that is the word - as they came to a goal.
The gradual improvement continued as a fractious second half progressed, though with Tiago shooting too high, Jussi Jaaskelainen had not made a save of any note before he was beaten by Lampard. The England midfielder received from Drogba, cut too easily inside the right-back Vincent Candela for Bolton's liking and drove in the goal that finally gave the Chelsea hordes something to sing about.
Allardyce immediately sent on Henrik Pedersen and Kevin Nolan for Okocha and Stelios, Mourinho responding by adding a third centre-half in the lanky Robert Huth to repel an anticipated aerial bombardment. It soon materialised, and another long throw from the left almost brought an equaliser. Geremi inadvertently headed towards his own goal and Cech pulled off a fine save before crashing into a post.
Another Bolton corner proved the home side's downfall. Steve Dunn, the referee, either did not see or ignored Terry holding back Fernando Hierro and Geremi, gaining possession midway in his own half, spotted that the home defence had disappeared.
Lampard picked up the pass before rounding the goalkeeper and then celebrating his 17th goal of the season - the one that finally clinched the championship.
Before the finish, the coaches and substitutes stood arm-in-arm on the touchline in a symbolic show of unity. Worthy champions? Of course. If Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger agree about something for once, who are the rest of us to argue?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Observer: Lampard double seals second success for the Treble hunters
Paul Wilson at the Reebok Stadium Sunday May 1, 2005
The wait is over, Chelsea are champions and if there is any justice in the world Frank Lampard's two-goal contribution will secure him the footballer-of-the-year award as well. Lampard was certainly the player of this match, his class and commitment lifting Chelsea above Bolton's dogged challenge even before his goals ended his club's 50-year wait for a title. He may still lose out to John Terry in the second of the season's individual awards, but there is little argument about Chelsea's right to the title. Losing just once while letting in only 13 goals is astonishing.
Jose Mourinho always said he wanted to win the title in Bolton, picking this fixture from the list six months ago and reaffirming his aggressive intent after last week's victory over Fulham put Chelsea in the comfort zone. Didier Drogba and Eidur Gudjohnsen were both deployed in forward roles, though perhaps ominously for the Champions League tie on Tuesday there was no sign of injured wingers Damien Duff and Arjen Robben.
The only problem with being so flamboyant as to pick your date of destiny in advance is that it tends to motivate your opponents. Bolton were in no mood to be bridesmaids in their own backyard, especially after taking a point from Stamford Bridge in November and with renewed hope of a fourth-place finish after Everton and Liverpool both dropped points.
Within three minutes Petr Cech was diving to save a close-range shot from Stelios Giannakopoulos and the Chelsea goalkeeper continued to be extended throughout the first half. In addition to a couple of unconvincing punches from Bolton crosses, Cech had to deal with a Gary Speed header and a shot from Fernando Hierro that were both on target.
They were also from long range and comfortably saved by a goalkeeper of Cech's class, although Bolton should have done better when they worked an inviting opening on the sixyard line. When Kevin Davies escaped his markers to meet Bruno N'Gotty's well flighted free-kick, you would have put money on the outcome of a free header, but the striker could not summon sufficient power or direction and arelieved Cech made another straightforward save.
In contrast, Chelsea's only threats on the Bolton goal during the first half came from speculative efforts from Jiri Jarosik, both shots so far from hitting the target as to barely register as attempts.
If the plan was to suck Bolton in and hit them with a fast counter it was always going to be hampered by the absence of mercurial midfield links such as Duff, Cole and Robben. Frank Lampard and Tiago found themselves covering too great a distance between a pushed-back defence and two isolated strikers, and Bolton put together the best move of the half when El-Hadji Diouf's turn left Ricardo Carvalho floundering and John Terry had to come across to prevent his low cross reaching Davies.
Terry caught an accidental elbow from Davies shortly afterwards and was having difficulty seeing out of a swollen eye at the interval, but was still first out for the second half. Possibly inspired by their captain's example, Chelsea played with more determination. Bolton were kept at arms length, further down the field, and with Terry and Lampard moving the ball through midfield Chelsea gradually began to impose themselves.
With Drogba more apparently more concerned about a tear in his shorts than terrorising the Bolton defence it began to look likely that the deadlock would be broken by one of Chelsea reliable goalscorers from midfield, although Drogba was responsible for winning a header at the start of the move.
Gudjohnsen fed Lampard, who cut inside Vincent Candela and resisted the fullback's blatant tug in the area to stay on his feet and drill the ball past Jussi Jaaskelainen.
Bolton had lost some of their composure by appealing for an earlier foul, but it had been a physical contest throughout and the referee was doing the spectators a favour by not blowing up at every opportunity. Bolton of all teams should realise the importance of playing to the whistle.
If Sam Allardyce was upset about the first goal he would have been incandescent over the second, when Bolton made the cardinal error of sending too many men forward for a corner and paying the price when Chelsea cleared and Claude Makelele steered the ball to Lampard through an empty midfield. Lampard calmly carried the ball forward through a non-existent defence, rounded Jaaskelainen and scored his second of the game and his eighteenth of the season. A fitting individual end to a great team campaign.
Man of the Match: Frank Lampard
Two-goal Frank Lampard,of course - quite possibly man of the season, too.Has made a habit of getting forward and scoring goals all season,and he now has two extremely memorable ones to treasure. Leaving aside their significance,the composure he showed in finishing both was commendable for a midfielder.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Telegraph : Lampard lives his title dream By Roy Collins at the Reebok Stadium (Filed: 01/05/2005)
Bolton (0) 0 Chelsea (0) 2
And so, as Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho had predicted months ago, the Premier League title was delivered at the Reebok Stadium. And in a manner that summed up many of Chelsea's away performances this season, all but donning Sou'westers to brave a first half storm blowing across the West Pennines before breaking out to score a couple of stunning goals to win.
Take that: Frank Lampard seals the Premiership title In the manner, in short, of champions. Despite nit-picking quibbles that their football has not been the most exhilarating, champions can wear coats of many different colours and if Jose Mourinho's team do not yet possess the breathtaking qualities of Arsenal in full fl ight, their counter-attacking style could easily have been lifted from the Gunners' wardrobe.
Chelsea are deserved champions and to wrap up the title with 88 points and still three games to go is an astonishing achievement, beyond even the expectations of Mourinho when he first drove into Stamford Bridge.
Pursuers and deposed champions Arsenal have simply had the breath sucked out of them in the slipstream of pacemakers as relentless as Paula Radcliffe and the fact that they could fi nish with 86 points themselves says everything about how high Chelsea have raised the bar in terms of points. But for a bad day at Manchester City in October, where they suffered their only league loss of the season, they might even have stolen Arsenal's Invincibles tag.
Fittingly, given his massive infl uence this season and pending anointment as the Footballer of the Year, both goals came from Frank Lampard, the fi rst bang on 60 minutes. On the hour, the man of the hour and, for many, the man of the season. Picking up the ball in a position that did not, at first, look that promising out on the left, he slalomed past Vincent Candela before burying the ball into the far corner, despite Bolton protests that Fernando Herrero had been fouled.
Lampard ran off sucking the face off the club badge on his shirt as he went to celebrate with Chelsea's delirious travelling army, the majority of whom were not around when their club won their only other title in 1955. But they have suffered enough near misses of their own in recent years to savour the sweetness of the moment.
Lampard's second, 14 minutes from time, was one with which to celebrate a title. Running on to a long ball from Claude Makelele, he sweetly took the ball past Jussi Jaaskelainen before rolling it into an empty net. How long had he dreamed of ending the title race like that?
The only question now is whether, having conquered England, this Chelsea team can scale the highest peak in Europe next month by adding the Champions League crown to the Premiership and the now almost forgotten Carling Cup. We will know more after what promises to be an epic semi-final second leg against Liverpool at Anfield on Tuesday.
Mourinho, knowing that he needs clear heads for that one, did not overdo the celebrations as the goals went in. But he linked arms with all the substitutes and coaching staff during the fi nal minutes to glory before running on for the victory dance just outside the centre circle. The players ended it by showering their fans from their water bottles, which would have tasted like vintage champagne.
Afterwards, Mourinho's victory speech was simple: "This group is special. My players are special."
From the scoreline, you would have imagined that their keeper Petr Cech might have strung a hammock between the posts and wiled away the 90 minutes reading War and Peace or the Life and Times of Roman Abramovich. But four times in the opening 20 minutes, he was required to throw himself around his goalmouth like a puppet, making low saves from Stelios, Kevin Davies and Herrero, while comfortably catching a header from Gary Speed.
A mistake by Ricardo Carvalho might have left him more terminally exposed if El-Hadji Diouf had picked out Stelios in the centre but instead, a law unto himself as usual, he tried to pick out an eye-of-a-needle shot and hit Terry, hardly a presence you could miss.
Mourinho rested Glen Johnson and, mischievously, Arjen Robben after rumours that he had refused to start against Liverpool on Wednesday, although it would be astonishing if he does not play in the second leg, particularly with Damien Duff still struggling to be fit. Joe Cole was also left on the bench but for once did not complain as on this occasion, it was a badge of honour, an acknowledgment of how important he has become to the team.
Bolton's first-half onslaught, which deserved better, was just the sort of thing that Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was referring to when he hinted that Chelsea might have trouble in the north. But, in Premiership terms, it arrived far too late to have any bearing. It is the journey 45 miles west of here on Tuesday that could prove the one that validates Fergie's claim, though it would take a brave man to bet on it.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Times;
Bolton 0 Chelsea 2: Match report Joe Lovejoy at Reebok Stadium THEY made tediously hard work of it and were second- best for an hour, but Chelsea finally docked in Nirvana last night when two goals by Frank Lampard took the title to Stamford Bridge for the first time in 50 years. Bolton were the better side for most of the match, but the team that Roman's riches bought rewarded his largesse in the second half. It was not one of Chelsea's better performances, but they can be forgiven any distraction, just three days before their Champions League semi-final second leg, and nobody should quibble with the outcome of a race that turned into a procession.
They have won the League with three games to spare, and there can be no gainsaying their pre-eminence in this, their centenary year. They huddled, then cavorted at the final whistle and, for all the talk of their financial advantages, it is only the curmudgeons who will begrudge them.
Jose Mourinho led the celebrations, taking his players to receive the acclaim of the blue-clad legions who had made the trip. To their credit, the home crowd joined in the applause, showing warm appreciation for the best team in the country. It was fitting that Lampard should be the hero of the hour after a marvellous personal contribution this season, highlighted by his 18 goals from midfield.
There may be more difficult places than the Reebok for champions-elect to visit in need of a win, but none springs readily to mind. Nevertheless, Chelsea's followers had turned out in force. The official figure for the away contingent was given as 2,800, but it sounded like a lot more. They were in good voice at the end, although for what must have seemed like an eternity they had precious little to cheer.
Bolton have aspirations of their own, fuelled by the results returned by Liverpool and Everton earlier in the day, and it would be interesting to see what Europe made of them. Sam Allardyce has done remarkably well on a shoestring budget, but his style of play will never please the purist.
Fair's fair, however, and Bolton were the better team on the day. The first news of note came well before the kick-off, when the teamsheet handed in by Mourinho suggested he had one eye, at least, on Tuesday's decisive date with Liverpool. There was no place in the 16 for Arjen Robben and Damien Duff, neither of whom is 100% fit. Glen Johnson was also rested, and Joe Cole started on the bench. To the surprise of nobody, John Terry and Lampard would not hear of standing down.
Without their two wingers and Cole, Chelsea lacked width and pace, and therefore penetration, and struggled to get out of their own half in the first period. There was nobody to inconvenience a Bolton back four who were screened by a "front sweeper" in Fernando Hierro.
Chelsea had a scare in the first minute when Lampard set his sights with a shot from distance. It was easily saved, but he pulled up, temporarily lame. To the considerable relief of Mourinho and his men, the England midfielder was able to "run off" the problem. A more serious concern came later, when Terry sustained a cut eye in a clash of heads with Kevin Davies.
As is their wont, Bolton made an assertive start, and had the first proper chance, in the third minute, when a shot from Stelios Giannakopoulos, at close range, had Petr Cech stretching. As ever, they were dangerous at set-pieces, and the best goalkeeper in the country was called upon to prove his worth, particularly at corners.
When it came to open play, Gary Speed tested the Czech with a header and Hierro did likewise from improbable range. Bolton dominated the first half, and Terry was called on to make a last-ditch tackle to keep out El-Hadji Diouf.
It was the second half before Chelsea were able to fashion their first worthwhile goal attempt. With one eye closed, there was a doubt whether Terry would reappear for the second half. A doubt, that is, in everybody's mind but his own. Needless to say Captain Courageous was there again, leading by inspirational example. The breakthrough came when Didier Drogba flick-headed the ball to Lampard, who stepped inside Vincent Candela before beating Jussi Jaaskelainen.
Bolton were close to equalising when Geremi demanded the save of the afternoon from his own goalkeeper. Chelsea were not finished, however, and from a Bolton corner they broke away for Lampard to wrap it up in the 76th minute. And so to Anfield. The title in the bag, Chelsea can focus on the European Cup. Only a Scouser would bet against them.
STAR MAN: Frank Lampard (Chelsea) Player ratings. Bolton: Jaaskelainen 6, Candela 6 (Jaidi 78min,5), N'Gotty 7, Ben Haim 5, Gardner 6 (Nolan 63min,5), Hierro 7, Giannakopoulos 6 (Pedersen 63min,5), Okocha 6, Speed 6, Diouf 5, Davies 6 Chelsea: Cech 7, Geremi 6, Terry 7, Carvalho 6, Gallas 6, Tiago 5, Makelele 7 (Smertin 90min,5), Lampard 8, Jarosik 5, Gudjohnsen 6 (Cole 86min,5), Drogba 5 (Huth 66min,5)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTW:
Frank's magic double seals the Championship for Chelsea
Genie of the Lamp
From Martin Samuel at Reebok Stadium
AT the end, drenched in champagne, exhausted but happy, two men stood.
Frank Lampard and John Terry raised their arms to the Chelsea faithful and sang their hearts out.
It was a strangely appropriate image for a triumph financed by Russian oil and masterminded by a Portuguese schoolteacher.
For all its exotic beginnings, on the night this was a very English coup.
A captain hewn from the rock of ages will next week lift the Premiership trophy, having played the last weeks of the season breasting the pain barrier.
The winning goals came from Lamps a truly inspirational midfield player, whose influence on the title race will surely make him Footballer of the Year before the month is out.
Lampard and Terry. Terry and Lampard. Forever they will be synonymous with this victory, the first of its kind for Chelsea in half a century.
The cynics, the envious will say money alone gave Chelsea success. But they will be wrong. Manchester United have money, too, but no title. Arsenal have World Cup-winners, yet surrendered long ago.
Chelsea had money last year, yet former coach Claudio Ranieri departed without a trophy.
What the club lacked was a central figure to make sense of Roman Abramovich's investment and to bring the best out of players who are now reaching a professional peak. They found it in Jose Mourinho.
Yesterday, with the title in the bag, he told his players to escort Abramovich on a lap of honour and then, when the last one was out of sight, slipped into a car and into the night. His job was done.
Nudge
The 90 minutes that brought the title to Stamford Bridge were his most eloquent comment, anyway.
This was a win that epitomised the efficiency and resilience he has brought to Chelsea. One mistake. One tiny error, one little nudge. That is all it needed and his team became champions.
When Bolton guardsman Fernando Hierro was eased out of the way by Eidur Gudjohnsen, when Vincent Candela failed to eliminate Lampard on the far side of the penalty area, Chelsea were home free.
Mourinho's men are all about the small details. They soak up pressure, waiting for that one opening. They wear the opposition down and render them unconscious with a swift uppercut. And that is what they did to Bolton here.
Lampard was untroubled at the far post. What he did with the ball once it had landed at his feet now that was something else.
The way he stepped inside Candela and shot past Jussi Jaaskelainen as if this was a Monday morning practice session, that demonstrated why Chelsea are worthy champions.
In men like Lampard and captain Terry they have great English players, men who could stand shoulder to shoulder with title winners from any era. So could keeper Petr Cech.
Bolton take very little lying down, certainly not home defeat. So when they went behind it was time to throw the kitchen sink at the champions-elect. A period of sustained pressure produced a shudder of panic in the Chelsea defence, during which Ricardo Carvalho almost diverted the ball into his net.
That mistake could have taken the race to next Saturday. That it did not is down to Cech, his mighty hands and his bravery in diverting the ball round the post.
Lampard then sped on for his second of the night, the one that sealed Chelsea's league triumph.
The stiff upper lip only quivered when the enormity of the achievement hit home and his unbridled joy spilled over in front of the travelling fans.
Bolton boss Sam Allardyce accused ref Steve Dunn of missing a foul on Hierro for the Blues' opener.
Failed
He said: "The referee has won them this game. He failed on a major decision, with Jiri Jarosik's foul on Hierro. There was nothing more blatant than that you can see in the game."
What he should have said was that Lampard's second goal summed up the season.
Very cool. Very Chelsea. This year, they have truly been the Special Ones.