Chelsea thrash Burnley, Liverpool fight back at Bolton

29 August 2009 09:37
LONDON (AFP) - Chelsea maintained their blistering start to the season with a 3-0 victory over Burnley, while Liverpool came from behind to beat 10-man Bolton 3-2 on Saturday. Nicolas Anelka broke Burnley's stubborn resistance at Stamford Bridge when he slid in to convert Didier Drogba's cross just before half-time. That opened the floodgates and promoted Burnley, who had claimed famous victories over Manchester United and Everton in their previous two matches, were washed away. Michael Ballack added Chelsea's second goal soon after the break when he headed in Frank Lampard's cross and Ashley Cole smashed in the third five minutes later to give Carlo Ancelotti's league leaders their fourth successive victory under their new Italian manager. At Bolton, Rafael Benitez's Liverpool showed they have the stomach to fight for the title. The Reds had made a spluttering start to the campaign, with defeats against Tottenham and Aston Villa raising questions about their ability to win the league for the first time since 1990. They fell behind to Bolton in the 33rd minute when Johan Elmander nodded a corner back across goal to Kevin Davies and the targetman punished poor marking to drive home from close-range. Glen Johnson equalised with a powerful strike from the edge of the penalty area after Bolton only half-cleared a Steven Gerrard corner in the 41st minute. Tamir Cohen restored Bolton's lead two minutes into the second half as the Israeli midfielder met Davies's flick with a powerful finish. But Liverpool were handed a lifeline when Sean Davis was harshly shown a second yellow card for a foul on Lucas. The visitors took full advantage in the 56th minute as Dirk Kuyt found Fernando Torres and the Spain striker finished smartly. Liverpool piled on the pressure and Gerrard, criticised in the week by Benitez for his poor form, hit the winner with a perfectly-struck shot in the 83rd minute to get the Reds back on track. Tottenham, in second place on goal difference, kept pace with Chelsea as Aaron Lennon's last-gasp goal sealed a 2-1 victory over Birmingham at White Hart Lane. Harry Redknapp's team have made their best start to a season for 49 years and they chalked up win number four in dramatic fashion. Peter Crouch put Tottenham in front after 72 minutes when the England international headed in Tom Huddlestone's free-kick. Lee Bowyer levelled for Birmingham just three minutes later when Alan Hutton and keeper Carlo Cudicini made a hash of clearing. But Tottenham won it five minutes into stoppage time through England winger Lennon. Dave Kitson's first league goal for Stoke clinched a 1-0 victory over Sunderland at the Britannia Stadium. Kitson, who cost 5.5 million pounds from Reading last year, had only broken his duck for Stoke with a League Cup goal at Leyton Orient in midweek. The former Reading forward was back on the scoresheet just days later as he lashed in Danny Higginbotham's knock-down in the 43rd minute. Wolverhampton are still waiting for their first home win of the season as Hull ground out a 1-1 draw at Molineux. Brazilian midfielder Geovanni gave Hull the lead in the third minute when he headed in Stephen Hunt's cross. Mick McCarthy's Wolves equalised in the 46th minute when Richard Stearman volleyed in Jody Craddock's flick. Blackburn and West Ham played out a dour goalless draw at Ewood Park. Manchester United host Arsenal later in the day's big game. On Sunday, Aston Villa face Fulham, Everton host Wigan and Manchester City travel to Portsmouth.

Source: Eurosport