Match Report: Chelsea 1 - 0 Bolton

A first-half strike from Nicolas Anelka gave jittery Chelsea victory over Bolton and sent them four points clear at the top of the Barclays Premier League.

But it was evident from the laboured performance by Carlo Ancelotti's side that the title nerves are beginning to take hold.

The Blues had to wait until the 43rd minute to break down a stubborn Bolton side who almost snatched a draw in the closing stages.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson insists the title is Chelsea's to throw away and, judging by the anxiety on show at Stamford Bridge, the run-in promises to be a thrilling affair.

There was little evidence that Chelsea would struggle to overcome Owen Coyle's side when left-back Yury Zhirkov created a chance for the home side in the fifth minute.

The Russian pulled the ball back for Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba who sent his curling shot over the crossbar.

Bolton's defence was almost caught out again moments later but Drogba was given offside as he tried to beat Jussi Jaaskelainen.

In the seventh minute, Chelsea had a scare when captain John Terry required lengthy treatment on his ankle following a collision with Matthew Taylor. But the England defender was able to continue without any ill effects.

The Blues had lost their early impetus, though, and Bolton caused problems for the home side when Petr Cech failed to collect a cross from Chung-yong Lee.

Taylor almost profited from Cech's hesitation but the Czech Republic international quickly regained control of the ball before the Bolton midfielder could strike.

Zhirkov was in the wars in the 18th minute when he went down following a collision with Bolton striker Kevin Davies. The left-back required a hefty bandage on his head to stem the flow of blood before being allowed to continue.

Chelsea almost went in front in the 25th minute when Jaaskelainen punched Drogba's free-kick straight at Salomon Kalou. But, luckily for Bolton, it bounced off his head and wide.

The hosts were becoming more and more frustrated by Bolton's battling rearguard and that increased in the 37th minute when Drogba sent another free-kick wide of the target from 20 yards.

Zhirkov was asked to leave the pitch in the 39th minute by referee Lee Probert because he was still losing blood from his head wound.

It was clear the Russian defender's injury required stitches and Chelsea continued with 10 men - Frank Lampard taking over Zhirkov's position until he re-appeared in the 41st minute.

The breakthrough came in the 43rd minute when Drogba's cross was headed home from inside the six-yard box by Anelka.

It was the France international's first goal in 14 games for the Blues in a barren spell lasting just over two months.

Moments later Kalou tried to increase Chelsea's lead but his 20-yard shot was well wide of the target.

Chelsea's opening goal failed to liven up their performance as the second half began.

Bolton enjoyed much of the possession and the home side looked decidedly subdued.

Chelsea had even resorted to lumping high balls in the general direction of Drogba but it was a fruitless tactic.

Kalou wasted a great chance to put the game beyond Bolton in the 54th minute when Drogba put his Ivory Coast team-mate through on goal.

Kalou only had Jaaskelainen to beat but his shot was saved by the Bolton goalkeeper.

But it was a rare chance for the home side, who then survived a penalty appeal when Terry appeared to use his arm to divert a cross from Lee into Cech's hands.

Zhirkov forced Jaaskelainen into another fine save when he collected a return ball from Lampard and thumped a volley straight at the Bolton keeper.

Anelka was replaced by Florent Malouda midway through the second half.

A superb 40-yard pass from Alex in the 75th minute allowed Kalou to get free of the Bolton defence yet again but his angled drive was well saved by Jaaskelainen.

Three minutes later Lampard almost sealed victory when his 20-yard drive cannoned back of the inside of the post.

Six minutes from time Bolton substitute Johan Elmander was inches away from equalising when he headed a cross from Taylor just wide.

It was, though, the last nervy moment for the hosts, who hung on to move a step closer to achieving the league and FA Cup double.

Meeting Was Key Moment - Ancelotti

Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti has conceded that a "clear-the-air" meeting with the players was an important moment in a season that was threatening to implode.

Chelsea's season looked over during a week when they were dumped out of the Champions League by Inter Milan and then drew 1-1 with Blackburn in the Premier League last month.

The draw at Ewood Park left them four points behind Manchester United and two behind Arsenal with a game in hand.

However, Chelsea rallied following an "open and honest" team meeting with management after the draw with Rovers and the Blues have been unbeaten ever since.

The meeting sparked a fabulous turnaround in their fortunes and has left them on course to become only the seventh team to win the League and FA Cup double.

"After that meeting we spoke together and tried to clear the air after the defeats to Inter and Manchester City," said Ancelotti.

"After that, the players were more focused on our aims. We were able to change our aims from the Champions League to the Premier League and the FA Cup.

"It was necessary to speak with the players. We are involved in the same aim, to put Chelsea in first position.

"It was a very important moment. When you have a difficulty, you have to move on quickly.

"The right way is to involve the players to give a responsibility on me, but also on the players.

"They have to take a responsibility when the moment is not so good. After that, the players worked with more concentration and with more determination, and together."

Since the meeting, Chelsea have put five past Portsmouth, scored seven against Aston Villa, beat United at Old Trafford and secured their third FA Cup final appearance in four years with a 3-0 victory over Villa at Wembley.

Malouda Prepared To Put Body On Line For Chelsea Title Charge

Chelsea midfielder Florent Malouda says that the Blues will take the physical strain of mounting fixtures as they chase the double.

Bolton Wanderers visit Stamford Bridge on Wednesday evening in what will be Chelsea's 51st game of the season. Owen Coyle's side are likely to provide Carlo Ancelotti's men with a stern test and the Chelsea boss has already confirmed that he will rest both Deco and Joe Cole.

Frenchman Malouda has been in excellent form recently, scoring six goals in seven games and is confident he will have the energy to keep going until the end of the season.

He said, “We don't care if we are tired or stiff, you have to give everything until the end of the season. After the Villa game the priority was the recovery. Since then it has been thinking about the objective, which is winning the League.”

Chelsea played Aston Villa on Sunday on a difficult Wembley surface and by contrast, Bolton have had the week off, yet Malouda is still confident ahead of this evening's clash.

He continued, “We know how it is. In this League if you have a week off it is really easy to come and play stronger than if you have three games in a week.

“But it is not a problem for us, we have a strong squad and everybody is ready to perform. The team will rotate and we have to win.”

Petr Cech Confident Chelsea Can March Into The History Books

They say one week is a long time in politics, so the three that are left in the run-up to the general election will feel like a lifetime. But if Prime Minister Gordon Brown is trying to seek any kind of inspiration over how to turn what appears to be defeat into potential glory, then he need only look at what has happened at Chelsea Football Club over the past 21 days.

While comparing a government's fortunes with that of a leading football club may seem wide of the mark they do, bizarrely, have a lot in common right now.

Chelsea have been written off, coach Carlo Ancelotti has been accused of lacking the spark of his predecessor and there have been complaints over spending in the wrong areas. It's a story that could quite easily be at the front of the paper describing the current predicament of New Labour.

Few experts can see the latter emerging victorious come 6 May, yet most observers, including myself, couldn't envisage Chelsea ending the current campaign with a historic Double three weeks ago either and yet now, the title and FA Cup are within their grasp.

They appeared to be waving the white flag of surrender following the dismal 1-1 draw at Blackburn, which came five days after they were knocked out of the Champions League by Inter Milan.

There were some who could not understand the criticism, pointing out that Chelsea were still second in the table and in the FA Cup semi-finals. But those who had watched Chelsea on a weekly basis could see a team in decline — as their run of five wins from 11 games demonstrated.

More significantly was the lack of team spirit on the pitch, something the club have taken great pride in since they became one of the leading powers in English football.

The fact owner Roman Abramovich held a training ground inquest with the staff and players last month, which was followed by the squad having a crisis meeting themselves after the slip-up at Ewood Park, emphasises just how close Chelsea were to imploding.

It is to the immense credit of coach Ancelotti and his team that they have won four straight games since then, including the potential title decider at Old Trafford.

They take on Bolton tonight knowing that another victory will lift them four points clear of Manchester United at the top of the table — a turn of events which will mean they effectively have one hand on the trophy and critics, like me, eating their words.

Any mistakes against Owen Coyle's side will invite pressure once again, yet it appears unlikely with momentum and a sense of purpose back on their side.

Ancelotti's decision to revert to the 4-3-3 formation the players have preferred since Jose Mourinho introduced it in 2004, was brave and showed a lack of stubborness and ego.

The club's mini injury crisis ensured a more consistent team selection and the sight of Alex appearing alongside John Terry in central defence. It has meant the captain, as well as the team, look far more assured at the back.

For one agonising month goalkeeper Petr Cech watched Chelsea's campaign falling apart, unable to help due to a thigh injury. His return to the first team coincided with the upturn in their fortunes and now he has a place in the record books in his sights.
He said: “Not many teams are able to win the league and cup Double. If we win it, it will go down as the best-ever Chelsea season.

“Chelsea have never won it in their history and we are only a few steps away from doing so. Many of the players have made their mark on the club by winning the title but to do a Double will put us in the history books, we will never be forgotten.

“In football you have funny periods when, although you try hard, do things right, it all goes wrong. We had a little period where, although we were working hard and doing our best, we always ended up dropping points and also got knocked out of the Champions League.

“I was injured for some of it and for me it was a case of deja vu. Unfortunately, it has happened to me a few times where I have been sidelined and come back with us chasing everything.

“This time there was not a big difference. When I came back we were not far away from Manchester United and it was really up to us to win the games and to win at Old Trafford to go back ahead. It shows the character of the team to pick ourselves up and we have done it the right way with the big wins against Portsmouth, Aston Villa and at Old Trafford. But if we don't follow that up against Bolton then it will have another dimension.

“We have played some crazy games against them. It's strange because we always do well at the Reebok. They can't beat us there, but they always make it difficult for us at home.

“They had to watch us twice winning the title on their ground, so maybe that's why they have been trying hard to spoil things in recent seasons at Stamford Bridge.”

But now, surely nothing and no one can spoil Chelsea's march to their first title in four years.

Chelsea & Manchester United Target Luis Suarez Insists He Is Happy To Stay At Ajax

Rumoured Chelsea and Manchester United target Luis Suarez has played down talk of a summer transfer, insisting he is very happy at Ajax.

The Uruguayan international has already scored 32 goals this season, and alongside Atletico Madrid forward Diego Forlan is set to become one of the stars of this summer's World Cup.

Having signed a new three-year contract with the Amsterdam club in January, the 23-year-old insists that the interest of some of Europe's top clubs does not change his intention to honour the deal.

"I'm enjoying myself at Ajax," he told local Dutch television station AT5.

"I have not renewed my contract for nothing. I am here to stay."

Suarez scored 30 goals last season in the notoriously prolific Eredivisie, and has already notched 10 goals in 29 caps at international level.

Chelsea's Premier League Push Set To Be Disrupted As Carlo Ancelotti Is Summoned To Give Evidence In Calciopoli Trial

Chelsea's crucial Premier League run-in looks set to be hindered as manager Carlo Ancelotti will have to return to Italy to give evidence in a court case.

The 50-year-old has been summoned by judges presiding over the criminal trial into Italian football's 2006 match-fixing scandal, Calciopoli, to give evidence from his time as AC Milan manager.

Ancelotti has been asked to attend the next hearing, which is set for April 20 in Naples.

Chelsea are scheduled to face Tottenham Hotspur on April 17, before Stoke City visit Stamford Bridge on the April 25. If the hearing goes ahead as scheduled, Ancelotti would almost certainly have to miss a number of training sessions between the two games — an unwelcome distraction as he aims to guide his side to a first title since 2006 and first double in the club's history.

The Italian has already missed one court summons this season, excusing himself in October as the Blues had an away game against Bolton Wanderers on the same day.

But Chelsea head of communications, Steve Atkins, confirmed to Goal.com UK that Ancelotti will definitely be attending on Tuesday, although he was not yet sure for how long the coach would be away from the club.

Ancelotti is not accused of any wrong-doing in the case, although his club AC Milan were deducted points for their part in the scandal which saw Juventus stripped of two league titles and demoted to Serie B.

He has been called to give his version on Tuesday's revelations, which revealed that club vice-president Adriano Galliani was aware of former Milan director Leonardo Meani's influential relationship with former referee chief Pierluigi Pairetto.

Galliani had previously declared under oath that he was unaware of Meani's conversations with referees — which helped the Rossoneri avoid greater punishment four years ago — but the court heard recordings of Galliani speaking with another referee chief, Paulo Bergamo.

That was one of a number of stirs Juve's controversial former director, Luciano Moggi, caused at Tuesday's hearing as he continues to attempt to clear his name. His lawyers presented new evidence, including 171,000 phone calls missing from the original trial, in an attempt to prove he never had an "exclusive relationship" with the referee designators he was found guilty of controlling.

His lawyers presented wiretap evidence that they suggested implicated the previously untarnished Inter — who were awarded Juve's lost titles — in the scandal, with then-Nerazzurri president Giacinto Facchetti heard speaking to various referee designators.
Under cross-examination, 2006 chief investigator Colonel Auricchio could not explain why the calls were not included in the original trial. There is speculation that Inter may now face punishment if these latest revelations are proven to be true.

McCarthy Hails Versatile Mancienne

Mick McCarthy has hailed the impact of Wolves loanee Michael Mancienne as a holding midfielder but insists he will have to be "top drawer" in the role to get into the Chelsea side.

Mancienne is on loan from Stamford Bridge this season and has switched from centre-back to the middle of the park with good effect in recent months.

He has played a key part in Wolves revival - nine points from the past six games - which has taken them to the verge of Barclays Premier League survival.

Wolves boss McCarthy said: "Michael has been excellent. We know he is a good player. He is a centre-back but, from the moment I asked him to do the midfield role, he said 'I love that.'

"He did it when we won at Tottenham. He is improving. He is a really talented lad.

"The role has evolved. Chelsea had Makelele doing it, who is probably better than anyone. They had Didier Deschamps there at one stage and Mikel does it for them now.

"To get into a team like Chelsea, you've really got to be top drawer doing it. Michael is learning it but he is certainly improving at it."

McCarthy believes Mancienne's ability to play in more than one position will help him to play regular first-team football.

He said: "It is great if you have got two strings to your bow.

"If you can play at centre-back, as well as he does, and then just step into midfield, and play as he does, he is always going to get a game somewhere."

Florent Malouda Should Be A Role Model For France Hopefuls – Raymond Domenech

France coach Raymond Domenech has hailed in-form Chelsea winger Florent Malouda, indicating that his recent form is exactly what he wants to see from players aspiring to make his World Cup squad of 23, which will be named on May 11.

The two men have previously been unable to see eye-to-eye on a number of occasions, but Domenech lauded the former Olympique Lyonnais man in an interview with L’Equipe on Tuesday.

“[Malouda] spoke to me when he was least good. But I told him to show me [what he could do] on the pitch. Now, he is good, he gives me an option, a choice and a problem. I want to tell people: show me all that!” Domenech asserted when quizzed over Nicolas Anelka’s recent declaration that he felt “ridiculous” in the recent friendly loss against Spain.

Domenech also reaffirmed his stance over players who are not fit to train on May 11, when the preliminary squad will be divulged, but he was keen not to close the door on Manchester City’s Patrick Vieira, who has struggled a little for form since joining the Premier League club from Inter during the January transfer window, indicating that if he had to select a squad today, the former Arsenal man would be involved.

Cech: Talking Backs

It's Chelsea's goalscoring prowess that has grabbed the attention in the recent good run of form, and quite rightly so with the season breaking the previous best for finding the net, but quietly going about their business well has been the defensive unit.
Just two goals have been conceded in four consecutive wins and this despite injury forcing a major change around in personnel.

In the back four that has played the greater part of the last four games, only John Terry remains from the defence with Ricardo Carvalho, Branislav Ivanovic and Ashley Cole that was in place for the majority of the season.

Yet despite the switching, Petr Cech who has witnessed the performance at close quarters, sees no adjustment problems.

'The point is Paulo [Ferreira] used to play as first choice right-back for many seasons and JT was playing with him, and Alex and JT have played together many times in the past,' he says.

'The only really new member of the defence is Yury [Zhirkov] so this is not a big problem for us. You can see the defence are doing well and Yury is a quality player so he fits in there.

'You need to communicate all the time and when you have some new players coming in who haven't played for some time, of course it is different but basically we know each other which is good.'

The importance of communication between the goalkeeper and the two centre-backs goes without saying but Cech confirms he also keeps talking to the wider-placed men in front of him.

'The position of any member of the defence, and even John Mikel Obi in front of them is important, and if you have one full-back attacking, the other has to always be in a good position so that we keep the balance at the back.

'As the goalkeeper, you see it better than them because you are behind and they try to follow the game and try to help the attack. We use both full-backs at lot for the attacking play. So we need to keep the balance and we need to communicate so that not everyone goes forward.'

The defence has remained tight against opponents Bolton this season with both previous meetings ending 4-0 in Chelsea's favour - but last season's match at Stamford Bridge is a warning that the Trotters can be a danger. From a position of 4-0 down once again, they fought back to put three goals past Cech.

'Always we have been winning at the Reebok but always we have had difficult games against them at home so I expect the same,' notes the Chelsea keeper.

'They have been resting for 10 days and they could prepare for the game and they have nothing to lose. They come with no pressure.

'We all know that on a good day Bolton can cause problems so we take every game seriously, especially when you have a cup game and have to come back to the Premier League three days later.

'That is dangerous and we know that we have to be really serious and play well to win the game.'

Former Chelsea Boss John Hollins Hails Carlo Ancelotti's 'Astute' Management Of Team

Carlo Ancelotti’s methods are beginning to be vindicated as Chelsea go into their home clash with Bolton Wanderers ready to tighten their grip on a historic Premier League and FA Cup double, says former Blues boss John Hollins.

Ancelotti’s side can go four points clear at the top by beating Bolton at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, making them firm favourites to become only the seventh club in English football history to lift the League and FA Cup trophies in the same season. Chelsea contests the FA Cup final against the Premier League's bottom club, Portsmouth, on May 15.

Speaking exclusively to Goal.com UK Hollins, who managed Chelsea between 1985 and 1988, as well as making 436 appearances for the Blues as a player in the ‘60s and ‘70s, believes the Italian coach has shown his pedigree in expertly riding out the Champions League defeat to Inter Milan.

"It was disappointing, because Ancelotti came as the man to present the Champions League to the owner," said Hollins, "but they haven’t felt sorry for themselves, and it can still be a good, good season."

Hollins pinpointed Ancelotti’s psychological and tactical management of his troops over the last month as the key to Chelsea's reclaiming the initiative in the title race, particularly in the crucial win over Manchester United at Old Trafford.

"He managed to change the face of it," he said. "[Didier] Drogba came on and scored, but he looked as if he had that little bit of anger inside him, as if he felt he should have started. There was a little bit of a grimace in there too. And [Nicolas] Anelka, who is such an excellent all-round player, always seems to be the one to make way, so he’s still hungry. It’s an exciting prospect to see what they do next."

Myriad tactical options present themselves to Ancelotti, who told reporters on Monday that Michael Ballack and Salomon Kalou would start against Bolton in place of Deco and Joe Cole, and admitted he was also considering giving Florent Malouda a breather.

Hollins said the coach’s wealth of choice, especially in attacking positions, had vindicated his surprising decision to abstain from the January transfer window.

"They’ve got three games in a week (Villa, Bolton, then Tottenham on Saturday) but whatever position they’re in, they’re better equipped to take care of that situation than the rest," he said. "Ancelotti is very astute in knowing that one centre-forward can work, because the team is full of (forward) players who can run hard, chase hard and create danger when they have the ball."

Ancelotti’s experience at Milan of getting the best out of an unchanged squad has stood him in good stead, and indeed Hollins believes the lack of player turnover has served the coach well. "It’s mainly the same squad that was winning under Mourinho, so he’s just squeezed a little more out of what’s already there, rather than having a problem settling in new players and upsetting the balance.

"It helps that the players who are coming back from injury are coming back at the right time, and he’s used the squad well to fill the gaps when they’ve appeared."

Despite Joe Cole’s obvious disappointment at being substituted in the FA Cup semi-final and his absence from the starting XI against Bolton, Hollins still thinks the England man has a big role to play in the run-in. "The variation he gives them is something they didn’t have at the start of the season.

"He was way out of form, but has something big to aim for now with the World Cup. What I’m pleased about is that he's getting closer to the full-back, getting more confident, a bit more daring and going past his man, rather than just knocking it to someone else. That’s not what Joe Cole’s good at – he wants to be taking people on."