Football round-up

But it was evident from the laboured performance by Carlo Ancelotti's side that 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.

The home side survived a second-half penalty appeal when John Terry appeared to use his arm to divert a cross into Petr Cech's hands, and held on for the win.

In the Championship, Newcastle all but secured the Coca-Cola Championship title with a 2-1

victory at Reading.

Kevin Nolan struck twice before the break and put Chris Hughton's side nine points clear of second-placed West Brom with just three games left.

The Magpies also boast a superior goal difference so have one hand on the Championship trophy, but will need to make sweeping changes if they are to survive next season if last night's display is anything to go on. Hughton's men were poor in the first 45 minutes but still took a two-goal lead thanks to the clinical Nolan.

Reading pulled a goal back in the 72nd minute when Jose Enrique smashed his attempted clearance against team-mate Danny Simpson and the ball looped into the net.

Reading pushed hard in search of an equaliser but Newcastle secured the victory despite seven minutes of added time after Royals midfielder Brynjar Gunnarsson was carried off with a nasty-looking head injury.

Darlington dropped out of the Football League despite claiming a 1-0 win over League Two title-chasing Rochdale at Spotland.

Nathan Mulligan's 35th-minute goal secured the Quakers' seventh win of the season, but their fate was sealed by Torquay's 2-0 win at Aldershot and Cheltenham's 0-0 draw at Shrewsbury.