[1]Second-half goals from David Luiz, Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard gave us a much-needed victory against Bolton Wanderers.
Andre Villas-Boas recalled Lampard, Ashley Cole and Michael Essien to his starting line-up following the trio’s surprising omission in the Champions League tie at Napoli. Drogba continued to spearhead the attack with Fernando Torres on the bench.
We started sharply and in the first five minutes Daniel Sturridge could have put us a goal to the good after being released by a tackle from Frank Lampard. Sturridge cut in from the left but could only fire straight at Alex Bogdan from the edge of the area.
The early period was subdued as although we enjoyed the majority of possession we were unable to prize open the defensive-minded Trotters.
Sturridge raced in from the right to draw a fine save out of Bogdan with a curling effort destined to fall inside the far post on the half-hour mark and then again could have done better after smartly turning on the edge of the box to see his effort deflected wide. Sturridge was in the action again when he fed in Ashley Cole, who shot high and wide from distance.
Another chance presented itself as Lampard poked the ball through to Branislav Ivanovic and Drogba, but they bundled each other over in their attempt on goal.
In a rare Bolton attack Darren Pratley passed Essien before tumbling to the ground. The Trotters midfielder then received a yellow card for diving.
Miyaichi then blazed over the Chelsea cross bar as Tuncay Sanli fed back from the right bye-line moments before the break, but that was the extent of Bolton’s efforts.
[2]Just two minutes into the second half and we finally broke the deadlock, the goal a product of David Luiz’s energetic burst and finish.
He nipped in to steal the ball before driving at the Bolton defence. The ball was pushed out wide and David Wheater’s attempted clearance from Mata in the the box fell again to Luiz, who steadied himself and fired his effort inside the far post.
Though Nigel Reo-Coker almost replied instantly Luiz’s goal galvanised both the Chelsea team and Stamford Bridge with Luiz nearly doubling his tally after he headed against the post from a corner.A flowing counter attack culminated in Drogba bending just over when released down the left.
We capitalised on relentless pressure to double our lead on the hour mark, as Drogba rose the highest to power home a Lampard corner.
We grew in confidence after the second goal, as Mata nearly outfoxed Bogdan with a dinked effort from the edge of the area.
A third goal was added with a little over 10 minutes to go as Mata found himself in a mile of space on the right wing. He fired over an in swinging cross, with Frank Lampard advancing to side-foot home with ease from the edge of the six-yard area.
This was his His 150th league goal and 125th for Chelsea which takes him past the legendary Blues striker Jimmy Greaves. He also becomes the first player to score double figures in nine consecutive Premier League seasons.
From there on we strolled through to the final whistle, claiming a much-needed victory.
Next up for the Blues an away fixture to West Bromwich Albion
Gill Reeves – Chelsea disabled rep
Stats from the BBC website: [3]
Chelsea
• 01 Cech
• 02 Ivanovic
• 03 Cole
• 04 David Luiz
• 24 Cahill
• 05 Essien
• 07 Ramires (Mikel – 88′ )
• 08 Lampard
• 10 Mata
• 11 Drogba (Torres – 76′ )
• 23 Sturridge (Kalou – 80′ )
Substitutes
• 22 Turnbull
• 34 Bertrand
• 12 Mikel
• 15 Malouda
• 16 Meireles
• 09 Torres
• 21 Kalou
Bolton Wanderers
• 01 Bogdan
• 02 Steinsson
• 18 Ricketts
• 31 Wheater
• 32 Ream
• 06 Muamba
• 19 Reo-Coker
• 21 Pratley – Booked
• 09 Tuncay (Eagles – 75′ )
• 24 Ngog (Sordell – 65′ )
• 30 Miyaichi
Substitutes
• 22 Jaaskelainen
• 04 Robinson
• 12 Knight
• 25 Boyata
• 07 Eagles
• 17 Klasnic
• 29 Sordell
Ref: Oliver
Att: 40,999