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Chelsea wins 4-0 at Bolton in Premier League

By Pti

Bolton (England), Jan 25 (AP) Didier Drogba scored awonder goal Monday as Chelsea won 4-0 at Bolton, ensuring thedefending champions win consecutive Premier League matches forthe first time since October.

Drogba unleashed a swerving 33-yard shot that dipped pastgoalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen in the 11th minute at ReebokStadium.

Teammate Florent Malouda side-footed home from a tightangle in the 41st, Nicolas Anelka''s left-footed drive foundthe net in the 56th and Ramires added his first Chelsea goalin the 74th minute.

Chelsea, which beat Blackburn last week, has won back toback matches for the first time since defeating Wolves on Oct.

23 and then Blackburn seven days later, its last previous awaywin in the league.

Chelsea is still seven points behind leader ManchesterUnited in fourth place, having played one match more.

"Didier got us off to good start with probably the bestgoal of this season so far, and we worked really hard all overthe park," Chelsea captain John Terry said. "We stopped Boltonplaying and it worked for us."

Bolton dominated the early stages of a match that hadbeen preceded by a minute''s silence for Bolton and Englandgreat Nat Lofthouse, who died earlier this month.

Chelsea made the hosts pay for their early profligacy,however, after Malouda had won the ball from Gretar Steinsson.

Malouda released Drogba into space, and the Ivory Coastforward caught the defense and ''keeper out with a powerfuldrive for his ninth league goal and 10th in all competitionsthis season.

"I was in a good position, so I took my chance ," Drogbasaid. "I had the confidence to try. You have to try if youwant to score." More (AP) AT

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech made a great save in the 12th minute to preserve the lead, turning Matt Taylor''s headeraround the post following a cross from Martin Petrov.

Chelsea then extended their lead with Bolton defenderGary Cahill cursing his luck. He blocked Malouda''s cross butit rebounded to the Frenchman, who beat Jaaskelainen at thenear post to match Drogba''s scoring record this season.

Bolton had threatened to cut the deficit, but Anelka madethe game safe after Michael Essien''s cross was deflected tohim, sweeping the ball home with defender Zat Knight appearingto be distracted by Drogba.

Bolton could not handle the speed of Chelsea''scounterattacks, and it became a rout when Ramires hit hisfirst goal since arriving from Benfica in the offseason.

Essien was again instrumental in the build-up, findingAnelka in the area. When his shot was blocked, the Brazilmidfielder knocked in the rebound.

Bolton has now taken only eight points from 10 games,dropping a spot to 10th place on goal difference.

"We gifted them each and every goal," Bolton manager OwenCoyle said. "We''ve had as many chances as them tonight, butthey''re clinical and that''s why they''re champions. It''s hardto take but you can either feel sorry for yourself or get uptomorrow morning ready to do something about it. That''s whatwe''ll do.

"Take nothing away from Chelsea, their finishing was topclass, but there was no way there was four goals between theteams." (AP) AT

Story first published: Tuesday, January 25, 2011, 10:15 [IST]
Other articles published on Jan 25, 2011