bolton 4-0

Independent:


Chelsea back in the hunt after rediscovering their lethal edge

Bolton Wanderers 0 Chelsea 4

By Sam Wallace at the Reebok Stadium



It has been a while since Didier Drogba has pulled off his shirt at the end of a game and handed it over to a member of his club's travelling support but then it has been a while since Chelsea have been as good as they were last night.

The prospect of Carlo Ancelotti's team defending the Premier League title they won last season remains a distant one but had they not won they might as well have dropped the trophy off in Manchester on the way home. Instead, they are clinging on and in the four goals there was the glimmer of hope that, in the words of their manager, they have "turned the corner".

There have been false dawns before in the darkness of Chelsea's decline of the last three months but nothing as encouraging as this, a four-goal victory over a Bolton side with a decent home record. And if Chelsea's fans were looking for a sign that things really are looking up then Drogba's brilliant opening goal was a reminder that, for all their problems, this side still has some formidable individuals.

With the expectation that the Benfica defender David Luiz will arrive this week, perhaps even in time for next Tuesday's trip to Sunderland, then it would seem that Chelsea – from Roman Abramovich down – are not prepared to give up without a fight. There was no Frank Lampard last night but the club hope he will be back in the side for Saturday's FA Cup fourth round game against Everton.

If Chelsea are to close the gap on United then the six points at stake between the two sides before the end of the season are crucial and last night, for the first time in a long time, they looked like the kind of side that could potentially beat United. Petr Cech and Michael Essien, as well as Drogba, looked much more like their old selves.

That is not to say they dominated Bolton who had by far the best of the first half. Instead, as Owen Coyle later bemoaned, at the critical moments of the game Ancelotti's team just had the quality that set them apart. Bolton worked hard at opening up Chelsea but every time the home side put a foot wrong they found themselves, in their manager's words, "brutally punished".

Just eight points from the relegation places and without a win in the league since Boxing Day, these are nervous times for Coyle's side. Last night the club said farewell to the late Nat Lofthouse with a touching tribute from fans outside the stadium's reception and a minute's silence before the game. They would like to have honoured his memory with three points and until Drogba scored there looked every chance they might.

On more than one occasion, Cech kept Chelsea in the game though he would have been able to do nothing about Kevin Davies's header in the first three minutes had it not been offside. The Bolton captain misjudged the target when Martin Petrov, who gave Jose Bosingwa a difficult time, crossed and Johan Elmander flicked on.

It got worse for Davies whose wayward pass started the move for Chelsea's third goal but in those early stages there was nothing to suggest that this would turn into such a stroll for the away side. They just about hung on at times. It was a mistake by the Bolton right-back Gretar Steinsson that gifted possession to Florent Malouda on 11 minutes which began the sequence that ended in Drogba's goal.

The Chelsea striker still had a lot to do when Florent Malouda fed him the ball 35 yards out. He struck a shot that dipped over Jussi Jasskelainen and was hit so hard that the goalkeeper never really knew what to do about it. It was Drogba's ninth league goal of the season and, he said, his best so far.

Drogba hinted later at a lack of confidence that may explain his form this season. "I think I had the confidence to try it," he said. "You have to try if you want to score. The manager said to me that I needed to shoot when I had the chance and I did that. Maybe I've not been shooting enough. I was maybe thinking about it too much and not making the right decision but this time I decided to have a go."

On 31 minutes, Elmander might have scored with a header that Cech saved well. Had it gone in then Chelsea risked losing their momentum. Ten minutes later they scored a second. From a corner the ball dropped to Malouda on the right side of the goal near the touchline. His first shot was blocked by Gary Cahill but he sneaked the second in at the near post.

It was a moment that epitomised Bolton's bad luck. "We were punished every time," said Coyle. "Every bounce of the ball went against us. It is hard to take. We had as many goal attempts as they did but they were clinical. That's why they are champions."

The third started with Kevin Davies who inexplicably passed the ball across the pitch to Nicolas Anelka and then watched in growing horror as Chelsea built the move that ended with the same Frenchman scoring.

From Anelka to Malouda and on to Essien, who crossed to Drogba. When he could not get a clean shot on goal the ball spilled loose and Anelka, who had caught up with play, tidied up the move with a finish inside Jaaskelainen's right post.

Ramires scored the fourth, his first for Chelsea, after Anelka's shot had been blocked by Paul Robinson on 74 minutes. Again, Essien was crucial to the move. Before then Cech had made another good save at the feet of Elmander and, for the first time in a long time, Chelsea looked unbeatable. That it was their first back-to-back league win since October tells you that this has been a long wait to return to form.



Bolton Wanderers (4-4-2): Jaaskelainen; Steinsson, Cahill, Knight, Robinson; Taylor, Muamba (M Davies, 63), Holden (Blake, 87), Petrov (Rodrigo, 63); K Davies, Elmander. Substitutes not used Bogdan (gk), Ricketts, Blake, Cohen, Wheater.



Chelsea (4-3-3): Cech; Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole; Ramires (Kalou, 77), Mikel (McEachran, 72), Essien; Anelka, Drogba, Malouda. Substitutes not used Turnbull (gk), Ferreira, Sturridge, Bruma, Kakuta.



Possession Bolton 44% Chelsea 56%.

Shots on target Bolton 8 Chelsea 11.

Man of the match Drogba. Match rating 7/10.

Referee C Foy (Merseyside). Attendance 22,837.



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Mirror:


Bolton 0-4 Chelsea:
By Martin Lipton

He's back, without a doubt.

And maybe, just maybe, they’re back too, exactly as Carlo Ancelotti promised.

Given lift-off by a long-range stunner from Didier Drogba, and breathing space by Florent Malouda, Chelsea picked their favourite ground to finally end their away-day toils and perhaps get themselves back into the title race.

Since Roman Abramovich bought the Blues in 2003, Chelsea had won on all seven visits to the Reebok, without conceding a goal.

And on a night dedicated to the memory of Bolton’s favourite son, Nat Lofthouse, it was the sheer physical power of Drogba that helped ­Ancelotti’s men end that shocking run of just two points from their previous six away games.

Drogba’s poor form as he battled to shrug off the effects of malaria have summed up Chelsea’s toils in recent weeks, looking a pale shadow of his normal self in a team that has been equally off-key.

But the African king’s 11th-minute screamer tore the heart out of Bolton’s early impetus, with Malouda’s soft strike just before the break confirming their superiority.

And when the third member of the front-line that has mis-fired throughout their winter wobble, Nicolas Anelka, thumped home before the hour, it became a shooting gallery for Owen Coyle’s men, Ramires scoring his first goal for the club to finish it off.

As Bolton began like a house on fire, not even Ancelotti could really have guessed what was coming. The Italian has consistently moaned about his side’s inability to get out of the blocks and for the first 10 minutes they were firmly on the back foot.

Branislav Ivanovic’s poor clearance gave Stuart Holden an early shooting chance the American snatched at wildly and seconds later the recalled Martin Petrov’s cross caused real danger.

Johan Elmander, unmarked, flicked on but Kevin Davies’ header lacked the power to trouble Petr Cech.

Chelsea looked sluggish and off-key, which made what followed even more unlikely.

Malouda caught Gretar ­Steinsson in possession but even when the loose ball fell to Drogba 40 yards out, there seemed little on.

Drogba took two touches to get within shooting distance and then let fly, the ball swerving late and away from Jussi Jaaskelainen’s despairing right hand, smashing into the net as the Ivorian celebrated.

Bolton had a ­mountain to climb and Chelsea something significant to hold onto, their tackles – from skipper John Terry in particular – carrying more bite, with Petrov wasting the ­opportunities to expose Jose Bosingwa’s flank.

Drogba and Anelka looked sharper, although they still appeared lightweight in midfield in the absence of Frank Lampard. Yet Bolton were finding it hard to create more good openings and when Elmander was robbed by John Obi Mikel, who instantly fed Anelka, the former Bolton man should have put the game to bed, wasting two chances.

Chelsea were so nearly made to pay, Petrov’s cross met by Matthew Taylor on the penalty spot, with Cech making a terrific stop down to his left to fingertip behind.

And Chelsea took advantage of the let-off. Ashley Cole had been just wide after a driving run by Drogba but four minutes from the break they had clear Blues water.

Mikel lofted into the crowded box, Ivanovic’s touch fell to Malouda and while Gary Cahill blocked the first effort, the France skipper rolled the second ball between Jaaskelainen and his near post.

While Cech uncomfortably shovelled an acrobatic Elmander effort aside before the break, jeers met the half-time whistle and Chelsea were in control.

And 11 minutes after the restart, that was confirmed as Anelka atoned for his earlier misses by putting it to bed.

Michael Essien overlapped outside Malouda, Drogba got a touch at the near post and as the ball fell onto Anelka’s left foot, the effort had the strength to go in despite Jaaskelainen getting a hand to it.

Now it was a question of the victory margin, the “bad moment” well and truly consigned to the past, with the fourth coming after Anelka’s shot was blocked only as far as Ramires, who forced home.




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Guardian:

Didier Drogba sets Chelsea on way to big win over Bolton Wanderers



If Carlo Ancelotti really intends to win 13 of his last 16 Premier League games, to keep Chelsea in contention for the title, he is going to need Didier Drogba back to his best. He can only have been encouraged by the way his main striker set the tone for the first victory of the sequence here, putting his side in front with an unstoppable 30-yard shot that must rank as one of the best goals the Ivorian has ever scored.

Drogba was jeered by the home crowd afterwards, mainly for a theatrical tumble to win a free-kick on the edge of the Bolton area, which was further evidence he is back to his old self. Ancelotti's target may be an improbable one but if a fully recovered Drogba can continue to score goals of such quality Chelsea may still have a chance.

When the game began, after an immaculate minute's silence for Nat Lofthouse, Bolton created a chance within a couple of minutes. Johan Elmander helped on Martin Petrov's cross from the left to find Kevin Davies in front of goal but the striker was unable to put enough power into his header to trouble Petr Cech.

It was Chelsea who struck next and there was so much power in Drogba's shot that Jussi Jaaskelainen was beaten from 30 yards out despite having a clear view of the flight of the ball. There appeared no particular danger when Gretar Steinsson was dispossessed by Florent Malouda on the Bolton right; as the ball broke to Drogba he turned inside, looked up at goal and let fly. Jaaskelainen was not badly positioned, not even far off his line, yet he could not prevent the ball going over his head and into the net.

Drogba shot straight at Jaaskelainen from a narrow angle a few minutes later and then saw Nicolas Anelka squander an even better opportunity, uncharacteristically wanting too much time for a show after a perfectly placed through ball had put him one on one with the goalkeeper. Bolton managed their next threat on Cech's goal after half an hour. Again Petrov was the provider, with an early cross from the left touchline, and Matt Taylor's header was creeping inside the upright before the diving Cech reached it with his fingertips to push it round for a corner.

An equaliser at that stage would have made the game interesting but Bolton put themselves under a severe handicap by conceding a second goal four minutes from the interval, through sloppy defending. Owen Coyle will hardly know where to start when he begins his inquest. First Paul Robinson conceded a needless corner after mistiming a header and not realising Anelka was behind him. Then Malouda's corner was not properly cleared, and when the ball came back to the taker the France winger had a choice of targets to aim for from the byline. Gary Cahill managed to block his first attempt at a cross but then turned his back, and so was powerless to prevent Malouda collecting the rebound and successfully steering a low shot through a crowd of players and into the goal.

Bolton attempted to redress the damnage before half time but Cech was equal to Elmander's close-range effort, even though he may not have known much about it.

Chelsea could have had even more as Bolton left themselves stretched in the second half but Michael Essien, unlike Drogba, does not appear to be back to his best and his distribution was at times wayward. Essien was involved in the third goal, however, a patient build-up on the left leading to a cross that Drogba nudged backwards for Anelka to score against his old club.

Bolton were only playing for pride after that – the contest was as good as over in under an hour – but Cech was obliged to make a smart save from Mark Davies after the substitute replaced Patrice Muamba and immediately made a run into the Chelsea penalty area. Cahill completed an unhappy evening by giving the ball away to Anelka in his own half, and was grateful for Jaaskelainen's help in preventing a fourth. Bolton's evening was summed up when Elmander and Kevin Davies combined to send over a cross from the right, one that either of them would have been better off meeting in the middle. As it was there was only Taylor to try a header, and his contact was feeble.

The fourth goal arrived shortly afterwards, Anelka seeing a shot blocked after Essien had crossed from the left and Ramires seizing on the rebound for his first goal for the club.

"Chelsea are back," chorused the travelling support, and at this rate they might be. Four-nil victories at the Reebok are not to be sniffed at, and at least one of this clubs seems to be in a false position





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Telegraph:


Bolton Wanderers 0 Chelsea 4

By Henry Winter


On an emotional evening when Bolton Wanderers gathered to pay tribute to their greatest striker Nat Lofthouse, Chelsea celebrated their current crop of forwards. All three of Carlo Ancelotti’s attackers, Didier Drogba, Florent Malouda and Nicolas Anelka, scored as the champions mocked claims of a crisis.

With Ramires finding the target for the first time for Chelsea, Michael Essien refinding form and work-permit forms submitted for David Luiz, the future looks rather more promising for Ancelotti’s side. “Chelsea are back,” chanted the visiting fans, who had braved the M6 and bitter conditions. They believe.

Retaining the title remains a tall order, particularly with Manchester United looking unbeatable. If Sir Alex Ferguson’s men win at Blackpool tonight, the leaders will be 10 points ahead of fourth-placed Chelsea with 15 games remaining. At the very least, Ancelotti’s side know they have to win their duels with United at home on March 1 and away on May 7.

But they have given themselves a chance, lifting their confidence levels by brutally brushing aside a surprisingly effete Bolton. Owen Coyle has instilled many positive qualities into Bolton, particularly in possession, but they were poor from back to front here. In truth, Chelsea were pretty unplayable at times. In truth, history dictated little else. In their eight visits to the Reebok, Chelsea have won all eight and never even conceded a goal.

If Monday night’s four finishes were all good, then what also impressed about Chelsea was that they never let up. The accelerator remained not just pressed to the floor but almost through it. Even when leading 4-0, blue waves kept rolling towards Jussi Jaaskelainen, who managed to make an astonishing save from Anelka just before the final whistle.

At a venue where they sealed the 2005 title and all but sewed it up in 2006, Chelsea confirmed they will not give up their title lightly. There is too much firepower and willpower in this side.

Maybe the emotion of the occasion inhibited Coyle’s players. The evening had begun with a wonderful tribute to the late, great Lofthouse, a moving pre-match period of a minute’s silence, thunderous applause, black-and-white footage of the The Lion of Vienna in action and the laying of floral tributes by Kevin Davies and John Terry. The game then commenced with the type of goal that Lofthouse would have relished, barring the identity of the victims. Here was a muscular centre-forward unleashing a shot that stormed past a nonplussed goalkeeper. It was not the last time a striker strode through with venomous intent. Chelsea’s forwards were dominant all night.

The first was a magnificent strike from Drogba, who responded so emphatically after Malouda had dispossessed Gretar Steinsson. Drogba advanced and let fly, the ball going straight before deviating as it swept inexorably past Jaaskelainen. Bolton’s keeper almost suffered whiplash simply watching Drogba’s shot speed past.

The Blues were in the mood, banishing thoughts of their recent poor form with some powerful surges. When Johan Elmander lost possession, Chelsea raced through the gears, releasing Anelka into the box. The former Bolton forward should have scored but hesitated, allowing Zat Knight to make an important block. With David Wheater watching from the bench, this was an big night for Knight, though neither he nor Gary Cahill particularly impressed.

Bolton settled, briefly, and almost equalised. Martin Petrov suddenly sprung to life on the left, curling a cross around Jose Bosingwa into the box. Matt Taylor reacted brilliantly, twisting to meet the ball and flick a downward header towards goal. Somehow, Petr Cech dived to his left, stretched out a fingertip and nudged the ball to safety.

From the brink of parity, Chelsea went downfield and doubled their advantage. Having taken a corner from the right, Malouda drifted into the box, looking to exploit any mayhem that his dead ball had caused. When John Obi Mikel lifted the ball back, Branislav Ivanovic inadvertently headed it on to Malouda. His first effort having caught Cahill, Malouda kept his composure, calmly slotting the ball low past Jaaskelainen.

Bolton attempted to rally. From Davies’ dinked pass, Elmander met the ball athletically, transferring it goalwards until Cech shovelled it to safety. The Bolton public soon began to become enervated at the antics of Mikel, who twice went down far too easily. Davies certainly made local contempt known to the midfielder.

A new target soon presented himself. When Taylor caught Drogba with a raised boot, making contact but hardly vicious. Chelsea’s Ivorian reacted as if he had been hit by the nine o’clock from Manchester Piccadilly. When Taylor complained about Drogba’s response, the striker lifted his shirt to point out where he had been kicked. The rich comic value of the scene grew further when Steinsson hoisted his own shirt.

The game was effectively ended as a contest shortly afterwards. When Davies ceded possession, Chelsea went for the jugular again. Malouda found Essien and soon Anelka was involved, the forward threading a low shot past Jaaskelainen.

Coyle had to shake up his team. The lively Mark Davies arrived but Chelsea made changes of their own, Josh McEachran coming on to continue his education. His team soon had a fourth, Essien breaking in from the left and cutting the ball back to Anelka. His shot was blocked, the ball falling to Ramires, who placed a sidefooted effort past Jaaskelainen. “Chelsea are back...” reverberated around the Reebok.




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Mail:


Bolton 0 Chelsea 4: Carlo's boys roar back as dynamic Drogba reignites title chase

By Matt Lawton


Just as anybody imagined Chelsea would collapse in quite the manner they have these past few months, it is now hard to envisage them catching Manchester United and successfully defending their Barclays Premier League title.

But a victory as comprehensive as this, in a match when you could almost see their confidence returning with every goal they scored, might just spark a revival.

The smart money says no. It says too many problems remain in a team enduring a tense political situation at Stamford Bridge that has left the manager undermined and the players disillusioned.

But these players have overcome such adversity before and it will be interesting to see if they are re-invigorated by a powerful performance as well as these goals from Didier Drogba, Florent Malouda, Nicolas Anelka and Ramires.

If they are, they will owe something to Jussi Jaaskelainen, the usually reliable Bolton goalkeeper who had a bit of a shocker on Monday night.

But a first away win in any competition since October was an important one for Chelsea, especially in the context of the success the club have enjoyed since Roman Abramovich marched into the club with his billions.

When a team are struggling in the way Chelsea have been, some setbacks are more significant than others. Losing at Bolton, when they had won on all seven previous visits to the Reebok under Abramovich's ownership, could have been catastrophic for Carlo Ancelotti. Not so much the beginning of the end, as the end.

So it must have been quite a relief to the beleaguered Italian to see Chelsea's run here continue, and a relief to see his players grow in stature too.

Owen Coyle's men were by far the better team for the first 10 minutes. Bright, physical and determined, and no doubt inspired by the emotional tribute to Nat Lofthouse, they terrorised Chelsea's back four and almost scored when Johan Elmander flicked on a cross from Martin Petrov into the path of Kevin Davies.

As it was, his close-range header went straight to Petr Cech. But Drogba's spectacular 12th-minute strike was like a shot of adrenaline for Chelsea, as was every goal that followed. As John Terry said, it has been a long time coming.

The performance was built on composure, cohesion and a much-needed touch of class. Drogba, Anelka and Malouda again combined effectively; the midfield looked strong,even in the absence of the injured Frank Lampard; as did a back four that has been alarmingly fragile.

So often Chelsea's match winner, Drogba provided what could be a turning point. His 32-yard strike moved slightly to the left and seemed to accelerate as it dipped under the crossbar, though Jaaskelainen misjudged it a little.

Bolton responded defiantly, keen to end their own miserable run. They have now taken just one point from the last 15 available. Matt Taylor forced a fine save from Cech with a decent header. But confidence is clearly an issue for Coyle's men and the way they conceded Chelsea's second four minutes before the break will do nothing to improve matters.

It was another nightmare for Jaaskelainen, even if his defenders should have done better dealing with a cross from John Obi Mikel.

After Gary Cahill blocked Malouda's first attempt, the Finnish keeper let the Frenchman's second slip between him and a post at the tightest of angles.

To Bolton's credit, they continued to battle and it took another decent save to deny Elmander. There was also an amusing exchange when Drogba's attempt to prove he had been injured by Taylor's high challenge prompted Gretar Steinsson to reveal his six-pack, too.

But when Bolton could only clear a teasing delivery from the excellent Michael Essien as far as Anelka, the Frenchman responded with a decent shot that Jaaskelainen again could not stop.

Crushed, Bolton then let Ramires score his first goal for Chelsea. Having blocked an effort from Anelka, they watched in horror as Jaaskelainen was beaten for a fourth time.

In a jubilant mood, Chelsea's fans first turned their attention to the an absent television commentator. 'Andy Gray, channel five,' they cried, before returning the focus to their team.

'Chelsea are back,' they sang, and their words met with Abramovich's approval. Whatever happens now, this is certainly a step in the right direction.


MATCH FACTS

BOLTON WANDERERS (4-4-2): Jaaskelainen 3; Steinsson 5, Cahill 6, Knight 5, Robinson 5; Taylor 6, Muamba 6 (M Davies 64min, 6), Holden 6 (Blake 86) Petrov 6 (Rodrigo 64, 6); Elmander 6, K Davies 7. Subs not used: Bogdan, Ricketts, Cohen, Wheater.

CHELSEA (4-3-2-1): Cech 7; Bosingwa 6, Ivanovic 7, Terry 7, Cole 6; Essien 7, Mikel 6 (McEachran 72, 6), Ramires 6 (Kalou 77); Anelka 6, Malouda 7; Drogba 7. Subs not used: Turnbull, Ferreira, Sturridge, Bruma, Kakuta.

Man of the match: Florent Malouda.

Referee: Chris Foy 6.



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Sun:


Bolton 0 Chelsea 4


By SHAUN CUSTIS


"CHELSEA are back," sang the visiting fans.

They may well be right.

It is a long haul for the current champions to make up the difference on leaders Manchester United, who are seven points ahead having played a game fewer.

But the Blues still have to play United twice and victories in both games could yet give this topsy-turvy season an astonishing twist.

This was a job very well done, a first away win since October 30 at Blackburn, and Chelsea will be looking to kick on from here.

They just love their trips to Bolton. No matter what form they are in they can always guarantee three points at the Reebok, which has long been a happy hunting ground.

It was where they clinched their first Premier League title back in 2005 and last night they notched up an incredible eighth successive league victory on Bolton turf, having scored 18 times without reply.

That was almost good enough to put a smile on manager Carlo Ancelotti's face - and he has not had much to laugh about in recent months.

"Carlo, Carlo give us a wave," came another chant from the supporters. He did, eventually, but the Italian is not one for getting carried away - particularly after the season he has been through.

A brilliant strike from Didier Drogba on 11 minutes set Chelsea on the road to success and Florent Malouda added a second just before half-time.

Former Bolton star Nicolas Anelka notched number three and Ramires completed the scoring with his first goal in English football.

All over the pitch, the visitors lifted their game.

The Drog was at his snarling best, Malouda constantly torm-ented the home back line, Anelka was sublime on the ball, Mikel was composed, skipper John Terry was a rock at the back and Petr Cech was excellent in goal.

Ancelotti confessed pre-match that he had not been satisfied with a Chelsea performance since they beat Arsenal three months ago, while the likes of Frank Lampard and Drogba had expressed their concerns at the manner of the decline.

But they had steadied the sinking ship somewhat with a thumping FA Cup win over Ipswich and a home league triumph against Blackburn and in Bolton they were up against a team which had not won in the Prem since Boxing Day.

It is now one point from the last 15 for the Trotters, who are suddenly seriously on the slide themselves.

Drogba reckoned that rather than think about winning the title, Chelsea should first concentrate on stringing two or three wins together. And he led by example with a stunning effort to ease any anxiety.

Malouda won the ball thanks to a committed challenge against a flat-footed Gretar Steinsson and played a pass infield to Drogba.

No opponent came to challenge the Ivory Coast striker and he measured his shot before sending a ripper dipping over Jussi Jaaskelainen, who could do no more than paw helplessly at thin air.

This was more like the Drogba of old. He has been out of sorts since suffering a bout of malaria.Drogba linked well with Malouda all night and, as the Frenchman once more got through some tame defending, he picked out his mate on the left of the area. This time Drogba could only shoot into the keeper's midriff from a tight angle.

On the half-hour, Bolton almost equalised. Martin Petrov crossed from the left, Matt Taylor climbed to head towards the bottom corner and Cech got across at full stretch to fingertip the ball round his left post.

Four minutes before the break, the visitors doubled their lead.

Malouda had a shot which Gary Cahill blocked. But when he got the ball back, the Frenchman somehow squeezed it past the centre-back and inside Jaaskelainen at his near post.

Chelsea then kept their goal intact when Kevin Davies played one into the box with the outside of his right foot and Johan Elmander flicked the chance against Cech and wide.

By the 56th minute it was well and truly over. The ball fell to Anelka 15 yards out and his shot found its way under Jasskelainen's body.

Ramires added the fourth with 16 minutes to go, firing in after an Anelka shot was blocked.

The entire Chelsea team swamped Ramires, delighted the Brazilian had broken his duck.

If there were any doubts about team spirit, that celebration laid them to rest. Everyone is pulling in the same direction again - and not a moment too soon.



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Star:


BOLTON 0 - CHELSEA 4 - THAT'S ANCELOTTI BETTER

By Jeremy Cross




DIDIER DROGBA rediscovered his old magic with a stunning first-half strike at the Reebok.

The Chelsea star has endured a ­miserable season, by his own high ­standards.

A severe bout of malaria earlier in the campaign left Drogba struggling for full ­fitness, with goals hard to come by.

But that wasn’t the case for the Ivory Coast hitman last night – thanks to a little help from Jussi Jaaskelainen.

Drogba fired Carlo Ancelotti’s men ­ahead after 11 minutes with a powerful strike from around 30 yards.

The ball seemed to dip and swerve, but replays showed Jaaskelainen should have got something behind it and kept it out.

Not that Drogba and his team-mates will mind one bit.

Nor Ancelotti, for that matter, ­considering the under-fire Blues boss has been long overdue some unexpected help.

And further goals either side of the break from Florent Malouda and Nicolas Anelka ensured the visitors were in total ­control before Ramires capped an ­impressive display late on.

Ancelotti had to cope without key man Frank Lampard after he broke down with a calf problem, with John Obi Mikel ­replacing the England ­midfielder.

The Italian needed his star names like never before as the Blues looked to hang on to the coattails of leaders ­Manchester United.

At least Ancelotti could take heart from the fact that Chelsea had not lost on this ground for 13 years.

Not much, granted, but it was something for him to cling on to in these desperate times for the champions.

This promised to be an emotional night for the home side, following the recent death of legend Nat Lofthouse.

The club paid tribute to their former England star before kick-off and ­Bolton boss Owen Coyle urged his side to win the game for him.

However, the Trotters were in a bit of a slump themselves.

No win in four outings and just one point since Boxing Day had seen Coyle’s men fall down the table.

New signing David Wheater had to settle for a place on the bench, while Ivan ­Klasnic missed out with a groin problem. But Coyle welcomed back winger Martin Petrov and right-back Gretar Steinsson as the hosts looked to halt their slide.

It was the Trotters who started the brighter and could have gone ahead inside three minutes.

Petrov swung in a cross from the left which Johan Elmander flicked on to Kevin Davies, but his header flew straight at keeper Petr Cech.

Coyle had told his players to give the visitors no time to settle, but there was ­little they could do to stop Drogba’s ­brilliance in breaking the deadlock.

Steinsson lost possession deep in his own half, yet there seemed little danger as Drogba picked up the loose ball.

However, he was allowed to turn and head towards goal before unleashing a long-range effort which went straight through flapping Finn Jaaskelainen. The goal, his 10th of the season, helped settle the visitors down and Drogba tested Jaaskelainen again on 20 minutes, but this time he was up to the task.

Coyle’s men had lost their momentum but came close to levelling on 30 minutes when Matt Taylor’s header was superbly tipped wide by Cech.

Drogba then fired a free-kick just over the top before the Blues doubled their lead four minutes before half-time.

The Trotters defence failed to deal with a Mikel cross and when the loose ball fell to Malouda he was somehow allowed to squeeze in a low shot from the tightest of angles at the second time of asking. The Trotters’ night went from bad to worse on 56 minutes when Anelka drove home a low shot from just inside the box.

And their misery was complete in the 74th minute when Michael Essien broke wide and his cross was met by Anelka.

The French hitman’s effort was blocked, but Ramires arrived on cue to sidefoot home from the edge of the area, his first goal for Chelsea going in off the post.