Chelsea close in on title

CARLO ANCELOTTI is learning fast.

The Italian knew better than to believe Alex Ferguson’s mischievous suggestion that this represented an “easy” game for Chelsea and so it proved with Ancelotti’s side grateful for Nicolas Anelka’s 43rd minute goal that secured an uncomfortable, nervy victory against Bolton last night.

Anelka’s goal moved Chelsea four points clear of second placed Manchester United with four games remaining and it would take an almighty slip-up for Ancelotti’s side to concede such a convincing advantage.

“Now the Premier League is in our hands and we have to stay focused and calm,” said Ancelotti.

“There was pressure on us to get this result because we needed to improve our position, but I think the players now have very good motivation to finish the season well.

“It was a tough game for us, but I think that Chelsea did a good job and won, which was the most important thing. We were unlucky not to improve the scoreline at the start of the second half, but we needed the three points. We had 21 shots, so we deserved to win. There’s no debate about this. It was difficult because, when you’re 1-0 up, you have to be careful right to the end. For me, it was a very good performance.”

Ancelotti was not at all interested in Bolton boss Owen Coyle’s claim that his side were robbed of two penalties.

“I don’t have a reaction to the penalties,” he added.

“I maintain the same opinion: it’s not my job to judge the work of the referees. I never did, even if we were unlucky at their decisions. I didn’t see the incidents. I trust in the referee.”

However, Coyle insisted that Didier Drogba was guilty of handball in the opening half and that John Terry committed a similar offence in the second period. Referee Probert dismissed both penalty appeals to leave Coyle raging.

“We didn’t need any luck tonight, we only needed the officials to get the big decisions right,” fumed Coyle.

“There were two stonewall penalties out there for handballs.

“The first one, after 27 minutes when Drogba handballs in the area.

“Then there’s the second one when John Terry handles it. The assistant referee says it hit his shoulder, but it’s a clear penalty.

“That’s not unlucky. The referee has not been helped by his assistants if he’s not in a good position to see it. I can accept it if they’ve not seen it.

“The first one I don’t know about. But as for the second one, the assistant said it hit John Terry’s shoulder. That’s not happened, so that’s a poor decision on his part.”

Bolton certainly didn’t lack enterprise during the opening moments with Jack Wilshire, the teenager on loan from Arsenal, impressing in a free role behind lone striker Kevin Davies.

Chelsea threat was, of course, ever present, epitomised by Drogba’s venomous angled free kick that dipped and swerved, forcing Bolton keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen into a hopeful punch that simply deflected the ball into the face of Salomon Kalou and wide.

As the half progressed Chelsea built up momentum and as long as they maintained the speed of their passing an movement, it was always likely Bolton would crack and holes appear in the visitors’ defences.

So it was three minutes before half time when Drogba found himself in a generous amount of space on the left wing and had the time to pick out Anelka with a precise curling cross that the Frenchman headed past Jasskelainen from close range.

Bolton responded impressively in the second period, replicating their efforts at the start of the first half and forcing Chelsea to play much nearer their own penalty area than they would have liked.

Even so, a second goal would have quickly ended Bolton’s resistance yet Salomon Kalou spurned an outstanding opportunity to double the advantage when he was sent beyond the visitors backline by another astute 62nd minute pass from Drogba.

However the Ivorian struck his shot too close to Jaaskelainen, who saved excellently with his legs.

The miss did nothing to extinguish the lingering traces of nervous tension circulating around Stamford Bridge and appeared potentially costly when Lee’s cross struck Terry’s arm inside the Cech’s area.

The Bolton players reacted immediately and the visitors bench rose as one but referee Lee Probert rejected their appeals for a spot-kick.

Twelve minutes from time Lampard almost sealed victory when his 20-yard drive cannoned back of the inside of the post.

Six minutes from time Bolton substitute Johan Elmander was inches away from equalising when he headed a cross from Taylor just wide.

It was, though, the last nervy moment for the hosts, who hung on to move a step closer to achieving the league and FA Cup double.

Subs for Chelsea: Malouda for Anelka 67, J Cole for Kalou 77,

Subs for Bolton: Klasnic for Lee 82, Elmander for Wilshere 82.