Alexandre Pato To Chelsea In AC Milan Swap Deal For Branislav Ivanovic

AC Milan striker Alexandre Pato is set to be sold to Chelsea this summer in a deal that will see defender Branislav Ivanovic going in the opposite direction.

A report in today's Corriere Dello Sport suggests 19-year-old Pato, who is also being tracked by Spanish giants Real Madrid, could be sold off by Milan in a bid to raise funds.

The Italian club has thus far resisted the temptation to cash in on Pato, who is rated as one of the world's best emerging strikers, but interest from big spenders Chelsea and Madrid appears to have persuaded them otherwise.

And the Serie A giants appear to be willing to accept offers in the region of £45 million - but in both cases it would have to involve a player moving in the opposite direction.

For Chelsea, out-of-favour Ivanovic, 26, would be used as a makeweight to fill one of Milan's defensive needs, while if Real were to win the race for Pato's signature then the Rossaneri would demand former Lyon star Karim Benzema, 22, in part-exchange.

John Terry Urges Team-Mates To Seize Chance For Immortality

John Terry has urged his Chelsea team-mates to grasp the opportunity to make this the most successful season in the club's 105-year history.

Chelsea took a giant stride towards the Premier League title when they beat Bolton 1-0 on Tuesday, with the visitors departing enraged at being refused penalties following clear handballs by both Terry and Didier Drogba.

Terry was unrepentant and, with the title now in reach, has set his heart on helping Chelsea to become the seventh English club to win a domestic double.

"You compete and you compete, always at 100 per cent, and then, when the opportunity arises, you have to seize it," said Terry. "When you seize it, you can make history. We've never won the league and cup double. In my lifetime only Liverpool, Man United and Arsenal have. We weren't at our best. Nerves, with us not winning the Premier League for three years, took their toll late on but we managed to hold on."

Terry denied accusations of a deliberate handball against Bolton, despite appearing to use his left arm to block Chung-Yong Lee's cross. "I don't know what it looked like on TV but it certainly felt like it came off my chest," he added.

With three weeks until Britain goes to the polls, Gordon Brown and David Cameron would certainly love to replicate the 'bounce' Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has enjoyed over the past 21 days. From facing questions about whether he feared the sack, he is within five matches of an achievement that would surpass anything even Jose Mourinho accomplished at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea have already scored their highest total of Premier League goals in a season, although it was the defence that was crucial on Tuesday as Peter Cech registered a 100th clean sheet in his 179th league game.

Benfica Slap £25m Price On David Luiz In Wake Of Interest From Manchester United And Chelsea

Manchester United and Chelsea have been asked to stump up £25 million if they want to sign highly-rated Benfica defender David Luiz, according to the Daily Mail.

The 22-year-old has been watched extensively by both clubs in recent times, with United in particular keen on the Brazilian as both Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic have missed a number of games this season.

Chelsea have also closely monitored Luiz, who is a former Brazilian Under-20 international, but with Barcelona, Real Madrid and Inter Milan also reportedly interested the Portuguese side are looking to hold out for a sizeable transfer fee.

Luiz has played in 25 of his side's 26 league games this season, in which Benfica have conceded just 14 goals. Os Gloriosos are currently on course to win their first league title since 2005.

Inter Linked With Chelsea Midfielder Michael Ballack

Inter have been tipped to offer Michael Ballack a quick exit from Chelsea at the end of term, reports the Daily Mail.

Roman Abramovich has reportedly blocked talks in relation to new deals with several Chelsea stars, including the German. And now he is heading for the exit door.

Ballack is not impressed with the way he has been treated over his future at Stamford Bridge, and he is likely to consider an offer from Jose Mourinho, who signed him from Bayern Munich four years ago.

Mourinho is looking to fortify his Inter midfield for next season, and Ballack is seen as an ideal candidate given their experience together at Chelsea.

Petr Cech: Playing Pretty Football Does Not Win Premier League Titles

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has insisted that there is much more to winning a Premier League title than simply playing entertaining football.

The Blues are occasionally held up as an example of grinding efficency rather then pleasing fluency, but the Czech Republic international maintains that grit is as important as style when it comes to collecting trophies.

"You can't win the Premier League only playing great football," the shot-stopper told his club's official website.

"If there is a game when you have to defend and defend and win 1-0 and you can't do it, I don't think you are going to win enough games."

Chelsea face Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend at White Hart Lane, a venue where they have not won since 2006.

Cech is convinced that the Blues' run of poor form against their London neighbours is about to end, as he looks to put memories of last season's bomb-scare disrupted day in north London behind him.

"It is always like this in football," he added.

"Sometimes you have a long series when you beat your opponent every time you play them and then one day it can stop."

Chelsea's Drogba Up For PFA Award

Didier Drogba, our talismanic Ivorian striker, has been nominated on a four-man shortlist for the 2009-10 PFA Player of the Year award.

Drogba has been in red-hot goalscoring form this term, hitting 32 goals in all competitions. He currently trails Wayne Rooney, also on the PFA shortlist, by a solitary goal in the running for this campaign's Golden Boot in the league.

Despite Manchester United's Rooney seemingly picking up all the plaudits this term, Drogba has actually played less games than the Englishman, and also has contributed more assists to his team mates.

Also in the running for the award are Manchester City's Carlos Tevez and Arsenal Cesc Fabregas. The latter is a particularly bemusing choice, seeing as the Spaniard has been injured for the majority of this campaign. In fact, how Fabregas gets the nod over our own Frank Lampard, who's notched over twenty goals this season yet again, we'll never know.

Gordon Taylor, chief executive of the PFA, spoke in glowing terms of our No.11,

'When you talk about the best players in the world, Didier Drogba is a name on many people's lips and with his strength, pace, ability and goalscoring skills, the Chelsea striker is different class. The more he has matured, the better he has got.'

For the Young Player of the Year award, Rooney and Fabregas were again nominated, alongside Aston Villa's James Milner and Manchester City's Joe Hart, on loan at Birmingham. The awards will take place sometime next month.

Chelsea Defender Alex: My Dad Reckons We Will Win The Premier League

Chelsea defender Alex is confident the Blues can win the Premier League - and so is his dad.

Carlo Ancelotti's side are currently on course for both Premier League and FA Cup success this season, after coming through a recent drop in form that threatened to derail their challenge, and the 27-year-old has admitted he is relaxed about the forthcoming run-in because his father told him the club will win the title.

"When we were one point behind three games ago, I talked with my father and he said it is difficult," Alex told the club's official website.

"Now it is okay because we are four points in front and now he says we will win the Premier League."

After seeing rivals Arsenal lose 2-1 to Tottenham Hotspur — Chelsea's next opponents — on Wednesday evening, the centre-back agrees with his paternal advice.

"I think it is our trophy to lose. I saw yesterday Arsenal lose and now they are six points behind," he said.

"I hope we can win the next game against Tottenham, Manchester United have a difficult game [against Manchester City] and if they lose it is seven points and we have Stoke at home."

The defender has been in great form for Carlo Ancelotti's side this season, slotting in to the back four with increasing regularity as injuries keep Ricardo Carvalho out of action. And the statistics underline the former PSV Eindhoven man's importance — the Blues have conceded just 12 goals in the 20 games he has started, rather than 31 in the 31 he has missed.

"It is a big difference, this is good!" he joked.

"It is not because of me, it is difficult to explain but in the last five games we played very well, and did not concede goals.

"We have more confidence to play and we want to put this on the pitch. It is difficult but the responsibility is good and playing with Chelsea is very good for me, I have confidence whoever I play with in the team."

To round off what could be a perfect season, Alex still hopes for a World Cup call with Brazil despite last appearing in the famous yellow and blue shirt almost three years ago.

"I had problems with injury, but now it is okay," he said.

"I think it could be me or Thiago Silva at Milan who goes to the World Cup, I do not know, Thiago Silva played the last games but I want to go!

"The coach, Dunga, called Carlo [Ancelotti] one month ago I think and asked how I am now, he said I am good and playing again, he said to come and see the games but I don't know. I still hope."

New Home Kit Revealed

Chelsea and adidas, our official sponsor and sportswear supplier, today reveal the new home kit for the 2010/11 season.

The launch will be supported by an advertising campaign 'Made from 100% Chelsea' developed by pop artist and Chelsea fan Sir Peter Blake.

Blake, who most famously designed the artwork for the Beatles album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and Oasis' greatest hits album Stop the Clocks, has created a variety of montages depicting Chelsea's history and heritage.

To learn more about the 'Made from 100% Chelsea' campaign you can visit www.adidas.com/madefromchelsea

The shirt will be worn for the first time on 9 May against Wigan in the last Barclays Premier League game of the season.

The kit encompasses a contemporary red v-neck design, while the main body of the shirt integrates mesh into the fabric creating a striking design with pure performance benefits for removing sweat away from the body.

This is not the first time red has featured on a Chelsea kit. In 1953, Chelsea re-launched the official club badge and for the first time featured red. By 1959, red was introduced into the kit socks, and the colour has continued to feature in numerous home and away kits in subsequent decades.

The subtle addition of red also pays tribute to the club's long association with the Pensioners, the red-coated war veterans whose name we informally adopted between 1905 and 1952.

Adidas again have pushed the boundaries in the development of apparel technology to help give Chelsea players the edge on the pitch. For the first time in club football, adidas TechFit™ features directly in the playing shirt.

This cutting-edge technology will help improve speed, increase endurance capabilities and enhance proprioception. This works by stabilising and focusing the muscles' energy to generate explosive acceleration and deliver maximum power output.

TechFit™ technology is only incorporated into the Chelsea FC team kit, and is not in the replica kit. Fans will be able to buy the replica kit featuring adidasClimaCool™ technology.

ClimaCool™ is a mixture of heat and moisture controlling materials, ventilation channels and 3D fabrics which improve air flow to the skin in the key heat zones.

Chelsea Have Premier League History On Side

Chelsea can go into the final four games of the season in the knowledge that, in the history of the Premier League, no team with such a lead at this stage has failed to win the title.

On eight previous occasions teams who have enjoyed an advantage of four or more points have stayed top.

At this stage two years ago Manchester United led by five points with four games left and the title went to the last day of the campaign.

The top two went into the final day level on 84 points, but United won 2-0 at Wigan while Bolton Wanderers held Chelsea 1-1 at Stamford Bridge.

Not A Caviar Display But Roman Abramovich Can Celebrate His Landmark

Roman Abramovich's 200th Stamford Bridge fixture was not one for the scrapbook of reasons why he bought into the Premier League menagerie. An "easy game" for Chelsea, Sir Alex Ferguson had predicted, but this was true to the tradition of prospective champions having to fight for every yard of ground.

Bolton Wanderers were not built as doormats. Big, fit, combative and adept at late bombardments, they were in no mood to regard Nicolas Anelka's first-half headed goal as the first flake in an avalanche. Chelsea had high-stepped it to the top of the Premier League but here the fun ran out. This gruelling 1-0 win forced us to factor in the determination of lesser clubs not to be trampled on and the stress that gnaws away even at star players when the expectation is that they will dance away with a trophy.

This way it is more compelling. This way the rich and powerful suffer on the road to fulfilment. Spurs, Stoke, Liverpool and Wigan will be no more deferential than Bolton as Chelsea aim to reclaim the title they last held four years ago. "The Premier League is in our hands, we have to stay calm," Carlo Ancelotti, the Chelsea coach, said on a night when John Terry played through a first-half injury and Yuri Zhirkov shed a milk urn of blood in a collision with Bolton's Kevin Davies.

Some will think Manchester United should take encouragement from the desperation in Chelsea's countenance as Bolton subjected them to a late aerial assault. More likely is that Ancelotti's men now know they can survive the muck and nettles of English folklore. Goal-scoring records have been smashed but now the 1-0 win will do. United and Arsenal will cling to the belief that both Spurs and Liverpool remain capable of inflicting misery on the leaders at White Hart Lane and Anfield. On this evidence they had better be well-armed.

According to reliable sources the scolding Abramovich gave his players after the Champions League defeat by Internazionale left egos bruised and eyebrows singed. Chelsea's owner is no closer to winning Europe's shiniest prize but at least one demand had been met. This has been a caviar campaign for goals.

With the 3-0 FA Cup semi-final win against Aston Villa at the weekend Chelsea broke their all-time record in all competitions. The 122 struck in 50 games prior to this tussle with Bolton surpassed the 121 scored in 56 fixtures in 1964-65. With 85 in the Premier League, Carlo Ancelotti's men have demolished their previous best of 72 in that competition. The Chelsea coach seems bemused by this deluge, as if it came, like snow, one night, while he was sleeping.

Italian managers are not bred to chase goals. They are taught to seek control, to throw a rug over the opposition and emerge with the kind of narrow win Chelsea took to the bank last night. To that end Ancelotti relied on Didier Drogba and Anelka to grapple with Bolton's aggressive defence. By the end the pair had raised to 45 their combined catch in this campaign.

Abramovich has grown a white beard waiting for his team to regain domestic power and win him a Champions League title. He looks more like Ken Bates every day. Frequently accused of interfering in team affairs with his sackings and appointments, the oligarch can claim vindication for last month's lecture to the troops. More fun has been an Abramovich edict since the José Mourinho years. Fine manager though he is, Avram Grant was never likely to deliver thigh-slapping football and Luiz Felipe Scolari misjudged the defensive requirements of the set-piece league and failed to adapt to the gruelling nature of the schedule. Guus Hiddink returned to Mourinho's core strengths and added a small attacking twist. Ancelotti's challenge was to draw more from the under-achievers, Florent Malouda, John Obi Mikel and Salomon Kalou, and find a way to make Drogba and Anelka mesh.

Abramovich has observed a 71% win ratio at the Bridge and only nine defeats, so he can be satisfied with the returns, up there on his plinth. Some of those years he has sabotaged with his cliques and his impatience. This time he turned his fire on the players instead of the unfortunates who have carried the can for their failure to win the English championship since 2006. To reassert their domestic primacy Chelsea had to capitulate in Europe to the coach, Mourinho, who turned them from nearly men to champions and wait for United to stumble. To speed that process they had a free week to prepare for their 2-1 win at Old Trafford four days after Sir Alex Ferguson's men had fallen to Bayern Munich. The entertaining part is over now. Grace gives way to graft.

Ancelotti: The Premier League Is In Our Hands

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has responded to the Blues 1-0 win over Bolton on Tuesday night by pronouncing his team is favourites to win the Premier League title.

A close range header from former Bolton striker Nicolas Anelka was the difference and now Chelsea lead the table by four points.

Ancelotti said: "Now the Premier League is in our hands and we have to stay focused and calm. We have to play game by game, and we are not interested in the results of the other teams. There was pressure on us to get this result because we needed to improve our position, but I think the players now have very good motivation to finish the season well."

The Italian continued: "It was not an easy game. We knew it wouldn't be, because Bolton came to Stamford Bridge to play their game. They put pressure for all the 90 minutes, a lot of long balls. It was a tough game for us, but I think that Chelsea did a good job and won, which was the most important thing. We were unlucky not to improve the scoreline at the start of the second half, but we needed the three points. We had 21 shots, so we deserved to win. There's no debate about this. It was difficult because, when you're 1-0 up, you have to be careful right to the end. For me, it was a very good performance."

The Chelsea boss also rejected suggestions from Owen Coyle that Bolton should have had two penalties: "I don't have a reaction to the penalties. I maintain the same opinion: it's not my job to judge the work of the referees. I never did, even if we were unlucky at their decisions. I didn't see the incidents. I trust in the referee."

Petr Cech: Pressure Is On Manchester United And Arsenal To Keep Up With The Blues

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has warned rivals Manchester United and Arsenal that one more slip-up will end their Premier League challenge.

Cech was between the sticks as the Blues extended their lead atop the table to four points on Tuesday after a 1-0 win against Bolton Wanderers, and with Arsenal in action against arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday night, the Blues stopper believes another defeat will cost the Gunners dear.

"Arsenal have a big game tonight against Spurs because they're the furthest away and if they don't win, the gap will open," Cech told the Evening Standard.

"They know they're under pressure. Then at the weekend there is the Manchester derby and we play a London derby at Tottenham. It can be a decisive week.

"It can change the position in the Premier League a lot if we manage to win our game and the others lose theirs. It could also go the other way and change everything for the last three games.

"But beating Bolton was a massive step forward. We can play good football and score goals but when a game isn't going our way and we have to fight and dig deep, we can do that. We showed it against Bolton."

With Carlo Ancelotti's side visiting White Hart Lane at the weekend, Cech is targeting a change in fortunes at a ground the club have had difficulties in recent times.

"I have been at Chelsea for six years and just kept my first clean sheet at home against Bolton, so now it's time for our record at White Hart Lane to change too," he said.

"Last season everything went wrong. There was a bomb alert, the game was delayed, we were kept waiting and then we started slow and lost 1-0.

"Even though we had chances, it was not our day. This time it's going to be different for us."

Terry: We Stuck To Our Tasks

John Terry has admitted that the role reversal that led to the winning goal against Bolton caught him a little bit by surprise on a night when he was happy with the team's application.

In a change from recent fixtures, Carlo Ancelotti fielded both Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka in the starting line-up with Anelka asked to play wide. Yet it was Drogba on the left who hit an undefendable cross for his colleague to head in for his first goal in 14 games.

'Didier pulled off to the left and I was screaming at him to get into the box,' Terry admitted after the game, 'but thankfully he put the ball in and found Nico and it was a great header against his old club. It was his first goal in a while and it was very important for us. It was a great ball from Didier.'

The single strike was enough to extend our lead at the top to four points and Terry gave credit to Bolton for making it tough.

'It certainly wasn't easy with Kevin Davies up front and young Jack Wilshere playing off behind him. It caused us problems all night but we stuck in there and we ground it out.

'We were probably a bit slow in the tempo of our play and were taking too many touches. We weren't at our best but fair play to Bolton, they came to win the game. They were pressing and staying man-to-man which made it difficult for us at times.'

The captain admitted the tension involved in securing three vital points may have contributed in Bolton threatening towards the end.

'Nerves with us not winning the Premier League for three years took their toll late on but we managed to hold on.

'I don't know what it looked like on TV but it certainly felt like it came off my chest,' he added on the incident that led to Bolton penalty claims for handball. There had been a similar incident involving Didier Drogba earlier on.

'Over 40 odd games you are going get some penalties and you are not going to get others. Late on it hit Zat Knight's hand as well so we could have had one and maybe they could have had one as well, but over the course of the season you get your rewards.'

Man of the Match was Yury Zhirkov, a decision Terry did not contest.

'Yury has come into the side since Ash has been out and been brilliant for us, the same with Paulo Ferreira the other side and that is what our squad is all about.

'We are getting closer week by week but it is just important that we keep winning. Man United, Arsenal and us have all got tough away games this weekend. Arsenal could throw a spanner in the works Wednesday evening if they go to Tottenham and win, but we have a better goal difference.

'We are just concentrating on ourselves and we have a little cushion now.'

Ancelotti Happy To See Anelka End Scoring Drought

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti was happy to see Nicolas Anelka break his scoring drought against Bolton Wanderers.

Anelka nodded home the game's only goal shortly before half-time, stepping up to the mark after 14 games without a goal since January, Didier Drogba providing a superb assist with his accurate cross.

"They work very well, very hard and changed position," Ancelotti noted. "The ball was fantastic, it was very good movement from Didier on the side and Nicolas was ready to score, it was the time for him to score - they did a fantastic job."

Chelsea And AC Milan The Only Contenders For Dzeko

German publication Sport Bild claims that Chelsea and AC Milan are the only clubs left in the chase for Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko.

Dzeko has scored 24 goals in 42 appearances for Wolfsburg so far this season. Last season, he was a major factor in Wolfsburg lifting the Bundesliga title. The 24 year-old is considered to be one of Europe's top strikers.

This morning, Italian media reports indicated that Juventus had also entered the race for Dzeko. In addition, a host of other top clubs have also been linked to the Bosnian striker, including Arsenal and Manchester United.

However, Sport Bild claims that Premier League leaders Chelsea and Italian giants AC Milan are the only two clubs willing to pay Dzeko a requested 5 million Euros salary per season. It is understood that AC Milan had a bid for Dzeko rejected last summer and it is known that the player himself is an AC Milan supporter. However, in an apparent invitation to the likes of Chelsea, Dzeko earlier this month said, “I never said that I absolutely want Italy.”

Dzeko’s contract at Wolfsburg runs until 2013 and the one sticking point in any deal, according to Sport Bild is the 40 million Euros that Wolfsburg are demanding for their prized asset. They appear unwilling to lower their asking price for Chelsea, AC Milan or any other club.

Wolfsburg general manager Dieter Hoeness told Sport Bild, “We will not let him go for a smaller sum.”

Franck Ribery To Choose Between Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Real Madrid And Barcelona In Next 'Five To Ten Days'

Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery has revealed that he hopes to have decided where hill be playing next season within the next ten days.

The French international has long been linked with a move away from the Allianz Arena, with Real Madrid and Chelsea considered the favourites for his signature. With his contract running out in 2011, if he doesn't sign an extension this summer Bayern are likely to sell their star, rather than risk him walking away for free in 12 months time.

Ribery has not made any firm decision about his future yet, but revealed that he hopes to have made up his mind within the next ten days.

"There is at this time no club who say that I will come or to whom I am going," Ribery told German television station Sport1.

"Real Madrid, Barcelona and Chelsea are still interested in me and they want me to play for them.

"We have still some games to play and little recovery time. Therefore I believe that I will determine in the very near future what I will do next year."

Pushed to announce a clearer timescale regarding his decision, Ribery said: "I hope in the next week or in the next 10 days."

Ribery is in negotiations with his current club over a new deal, despite being quoted recently as saying he and his family hope to move to the sunnier climate of Spain.

"I will have talks with the club leadership and with my agent," he said.

"And as I already said, in a week or 10 days, when the talks have been held, I will know what the situation is."

While keen to extend Ribery's stay with the club, Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge confirmed they would not look to offload the player if it was going to harm their chances of excelling in domestic and European competition.

"We will hold talks. Our clear aim is still to extend the contract," Rummenigge said told Bild newspaper.

"But if we do not achieve that, it doesn't automatically mean that we will sell Franck this summer.

"We want to have a team next season who achieve their goals domestically and internationally take another step forward.

"We have the goal in the future not to travel humbly to Barcelona, but rather with a chance of being at the same level. Franck is necessary to do that."

Agent Confirms Interest In Inler

Udinese defensive midfielder Gokhan Inler could swap Serie A for the Premier League this summer after his agent Dino Lamberti revealed that several English clubs were keeping tabs on the Swiss international. Formally linked with Arsenal it is understood that Manchester City and Chelsea are amongst possible suitors.

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini and Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti are both long-term admirers of the 25-year-old having both previously tried to sign the former FC Zurich man for Inter and AC Milan respectively following his impressive showing on home turf at Euro 2008. Having been a stalwart for Udinese over the last three years it is believed that Inler is now ready to test himself in England despite previously playing down contact with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

It is thought that Inler retains a value upwards of £15 million; a figure which would fall into the Arsenal price bracket, but could be inflated should the financial muscle of both Manchester City and Chelsea become involved in a bidding war.

Speaking about the speculation surrounding his client, representative Dino Lamberti exclusively revealed to sport.co.uk:

“It is too early to say [if Inler will leave].

“Plenty of big Premier League clubs are interested in him, especially as his contract at Udinese expires this summer.”

Inler will travel with Switzerland to South Africa this summer hoping that he can replicate the form which consolidated his reputation as one of Europe’s most dependable midfielders.

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.”