Chelsea give Bolton the blues

Chelsea's Ramires is hauled to the ground by delighted team-mates after scoring their fourth and final goal in an emphatic win over Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium last night.
By The Newsroom
Published 25th Jan 2011, 08:46 BST
Updated 25th Jan 2011, 08:46 BST

The defending champions only recently emerged from their worst run in the Barclays Premier League for almost 15 years.

And they showed their recuperation is continuing as they flexed their attacking muscles against Bolton to win 4-0 and narrow the gap on leaders Manchester United to seven points.

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United, however, have a game in hand and play tonight at Blackpool.

Didier Drogba made the breakthrough in the 10th minute.

Florent Malouda won the ball from Gretar Steinsson and released Drogba 30 yards out. The Blues striker caught the ball sweetly and thumped a swerving shot past home goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen and into the net to gasps from around the ground.

Chelsea extended their lead in the 41st minute leaving defender Gary Cahill to curse his luck.

He managed to block Malouda's attempted cross but it rebounded to the Frenchman who scored at the second attempt, beating Jaaskelainen at the near post.

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In the 56th minute 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 Nicolas Anelka, who swept it home.

Ramires made it 4-0 in the 74th minute with his first goal for the club after arriving from Benfica in the summer.

Related topics:ChelseaBoltonBolton WanderersDidier Drogba