Lampard cuts loose as Bolton blitzed

THE mounting speculation that shrouds Frank Lampard and his future role under new Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas shows no sign of adversely affecting the England midfielder’s form, as struggling Bolton will testify after he marked his 350th league appearance for his club with a devastating hat-trick.

Lampard and Daniel Sturridge, a popular player when on loan with Bolton last season, each claimed two first-half goals as Chelsea swept aside the struggling hosts with almost embarrassing ease.

Bolton now sit at the foot of the table after defeats in 11 of their last 12 league games — six consecutive this season — and with the worst defensive record in the division. It may still be too early to chatter about the future of manager Owen Coyle but the simple fact remains that his team is in the midst of a quite stunning collapse that needs to be arrested immediately.