Chelsea claw their way out of crippling slump with a win over Bolton
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Florent-Malouda-c13838’s 61st minute strike. This was the French international’s first goal in
almost two months. As far as Carlo Ancelloti is concerned, he could not have picked a better time to end his barren run. His goal was enough to take the struggling champions back into the top four, and within four points of joint leaders Manchester United
and Manchester City.
Despite winning the match, Chelsea were decidedly second-best for most of the contest. The champions were overrun by Bolton in the first half, failing to manage even a single shot on target. Owen Coyle’s team got off to a great start. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Kevin-Davies-c20716 would
have been clean through on goal were it not for http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/John-Terry-c18895’s last-ditch tackle. Mathew Taylor had an early opportunity to fire his side into the lead, but placed his effort just wide of Cech’s goal. The defender got another chance later on however; his curling
shot flew just inches over the bar.
Chelsea’s frustration in the early stages started to show as both http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Branislav-Ivanovic-c7994 and John Terry were shown yellow cards. Drogba had an opportunity to get his first shot on goal, but the Ivorian skewed his free-kick embarrassingly wide. The half time
whistle was met with a chorus of boos from the home crowd, who clearly weren’t pleased with what they saw.
Whatever Carlo Ancelloti said during the interval seemed to have an effect as Chelsea came out in the second half with all guns blazing. Drogba got on the end of Frank Lampard’s wonderful through ball, but was unlucky to hit the post. Then Anelka was deemed
to be just offside when he made a darting run behind the Bolton defence. Soon after, a brilliant passing move by the champions was brought to a disappointing end by Essien’s tame shot. Suddenly, Chelsea were showing signs of the deadly form which saw them
win the league last season.
The pressure finally paid off in the 61st minute. Drogba received a pass from Essien down the right flank, and squared the ball to Florent Malouda waiting in the middle. The Frenchman finished coolly, sending the crowd at Stamford Bridge into raptures.
Bolton responded immediately as Sam Rickets and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gary-Cahill-c14439 had chances to bring their side back on level terms, but both players fluffed their shots. The visitors then had a penalty appeal waved away after the ball seemed to strike John Terry’s arm.
The champions however needed a spectacular save from Cech and a goal-line clearance from http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Didier-Drogba-c11044 to hang on to their precarious lead. During the final stages, Chelsea pushed back. Malouda had two late efforts saved by Bolton keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen.
Carlo Ancelloti brought in http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Paulo-Ferreira-c29445 to run down the clock, ensuring that Chelsea finally got back to winning ways. Perhaps this result will be the turning point for the ailing champions as they look to regain their place at the summit
of the Barclays Premier League.
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