We are not special yet, says Mourinho

Chelsea 5 Bolton 1

But for those chasing Chelsea at the top of the table, it will be of little consolation that Mourinho's ego is not expanding at quite the same rate as the gap between his team and the rest of the Premiership.

To describe Chelsea's performance against Bolton as awesome would not be adequate, as they thundered back from 1-0 down at half-time to score four goals in nine minutes and increase the suspicion that the title race will be over in record time.

A goal from Greek international Stelios after only four minutes briefly had supporters in armchairs across the nation edging closer to their television sets in hope. But anyone who expected Chelsea to be bullied into submission by Bolton were soon disappointed as Didier Drogba took over that role in reverse.

The Ivory Coast striker produced a performance of sheer power and quality as he scored twice and came close to a hat-trick on several occasions.

He levelled the scores by thumping home a shot when Jussi Jaaskelainen could only parry a Frank Lampard free-kick. Then he set up Lampard for 2-1, scored the third from a free-kick, and then produced a wonderful near-post volley from a Lampard corner to complete a remarkable comeback.

Bolton went in at the break 1-0 up and could have been further ahead after Gary Speed hit a post and Mikael Essien somehow escaped a red card for an x-rated challenge on Tal Ben Haim.

Mourinho's response was sheer genius. Forget 'boring, boring' Chelsea because he opted for a 3-3-4 formation with Gudjohnsen coming on for full-back Asier Del Horno. It worked a treat and left Bolton, as well as the rest of the Premiership, wondering just what on earth anyone can do to beat this Chelsea side who have now gone an entire year without losing a game in the Premiership.

Just for once, however. Mourinho - who called for more respect for his team in the pre-match build-up - was not seeking to talk them up.

"We have just won the title once," he said. "We are nine matches into the Premiership unbeaten. Unbeaten, yes, but just nine matches, not 38. We have won nothing in this moment. There are seven months left to go."

That may be true but Chelsea have not lost a league match since losing 1-0 at Manchester City on October 16, 2004.

They're even on course to break Arsenal's record of 49 matches unbeaten in the Premiership if they can keep the run going for another couple of months, with the magical 50th match set for a clash against West Ham at Upton Park on January 2.

It would be a remarkable achievement, but one that is by no means out of their grasp. After all Mourinho is used to success, having won almost every competition he's entered since becoming a manager just five years ago.

Mind you, the modest 'Special One' admits not even he can believe just how well things are going for him right now, and has even dared to think about how he would cope if Chelsea eventually lose a game.

He said: "It has been amazing for me. I would believe I could do what I am doing, but not so fast. I was champion in my first season at Porto, I won the UEFA Cup in the first season, the Champions League in the second season, the Premiership in the first season at Chelsea. Everything was very, very, very fast.

"I remember when I was an assistant I was working and dreaming of doing the same kind of things when I became a manager. But it has happened so quickly.

"I think it will be difficult to lose one day because winning is a habit and when you win and win and win and you arrive at the end of every season with silverware I think it will be difficult when one day I don't have it. But I know myself well and I think I will be strong enough to bounce back and come back stronger when it happens."

There's no real need for Mourinho to worry about that now, however. Judging by Chelsea's performance against Bolton it could be a long time until he gets to remember what defeat feels like, especially with Everton away and Blackburn at home the next two games in the Premiership.

There is the little matter of Manchester United away on November 6 after that - the very fixture that ended Arsenal's long unbeaten run last year.

But the way Chelsea are playing, they are likely to pass even that test. And Mourinho's new-found modesty can be assigned to the dustbin - along with the title hopes of all his rivals.

Opta Fact: Frank Lampard has now played in 155 consecutive Premiership matches.

Opta Fact: Bolton haven't conceded before half-time in their last eight Premiership fixtures.