Bolton's poor form continues

24 January 2011 23:00
Chelsea banished their away-day blues and narrowed the gap on Barclays Premier League leaders Manchester United to seven points with an emphatic 4-0 victory over Bolton at the Reebok Stadium. Goals from Didier Drogba, Florent Malouda, Nicolas Anelka and Ramires gave manager Carlo Ancelotti the result he craved. The champions opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a magnificent effort from Drogba. Malouda won the ball from Gretar Steinsson and released Drogba 30 yards out. He caught the ball sweetly and thumped a swerving shot past Jussi Jaaskelainen and into the net to gasps around the ground. Chelsea then extended their lead in the 41st minute with defender Gary Cahill cursing his luck. He managed to block Malouda's cross but it rebounded to the Frenchman who scored at the second attempt, his shot beating Jaaskelainen at the goalkeeper's near post. And Bolton suffered another blow in the 56th minute when Chelsea went 3-0 ahead. Michael Essien delivered a cross from the right and Zat Knight seemed to be distracted by Drogba. The ball broke to Anelka, who swept it home for his 13th goal of the season. Ramires made it 4-0 in the 74th minute with his first goal for the club after arriving from Benfica in the summer. Essien was again instrumental in the build-up, finding Anelka in the area. When his shot was blocked, the Brazil midfielder swept home the rebound.

Source: PA