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Bolton's five game unbeaten run came to an end as Chelsea ran out 1-0 winners at the Reebok Stadium. A mix-up in the Wanderers defence allowed Salomon Kalou to slot home in the 41st minute to send the visitors home with the points. It was Chelsea who created the first chance of the game, with Steve Sidwell crossing for Kalou who's header was straight into the arms of Jussi Jaaskelainen in the Bolton goal. Florent Malouda had their next chances, first firing over the bar and then seeing another effort well saved by Jaaskelainen. Bolton did manage to respond though, with Kevin Davies and Ivan Campo forcing goalkeeper Petr Cech into action just after the half hour. In the 34th minute, Danny Guthrie played a good ball through the Chelsea defence which was well picked up by Nicolas Anelka who forced another good save out of Cech to win a corner after the Frenchman had beaten Ricardo Carvalho in the area. Frank Lampard, making his return to the side hit a 20-yard free-kick wide of goal in the 40th minute, but the visitors were in front just 60 seconds later. A lack of communication between Jaaskelainen and Abdoulaye Meite allowed Kalou to step in and strike home Chelsea's first league goal since August. However, Kalou was substituted at half-time, being replaced by Claudio Pizarro. Bolton came out the stronger after the break, with Davies heading straight into the arms of Cech after good work on the wing from El-Hadji Diouf. Chances were limited and the Joe Cole struck over the Wanderers bar after a good run from midfield. Andrei Shevchenko replaced Florent Malouda in the 73rd minute but failed to make any impact on the game as Chelsea looked set to hold on to their 1-0 lead. But it was Bolton who almost salvaged a point in stoppage time, substitute Stelios Giannakopoulos met Anelka's cross but his header hit the top of the crossbar with Cech beaten. With the future of manager Sammy Lee under a cloud, his side now have two weeks off because of the international break before returning to action against league leader's Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. |
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