It says everything about Chelsea’s strengths that they actually enjoy their visits to the Reebok Stadium, a ground where the contest is never less than physically intense. This was their third successive triumph here under José Mourinho, and it left the Portuguese expressing delight at his side’s position in the Premiership after their short northern tour of duty.
Having taken in a draw away to Manchester United, last night’s win in Bolton and a trip to the cinema — Borat or James Bond, depending on player choice — Mourinho claimed that his team would soon be back in their usual place at the top of the table.
“I am happy because if you look at the fixtures, it is much more difficult for United in the second half of the season,” he said. “After the run they have had, they have to be frustrated with a three-point lead.”
On top of his delight at returning to London with the gap unchanged — albeit one that could stretch to nine points before Chelsea kick a ball again — Mourinho was happy that the only goal came from Michael Ballack, meeting Frank Lampard’s corner with a near-post flick in a riposte to some recent criticism.
There was greater delight still in the fact that Chelsea might just about be able, at a stretch, to give an assist to Andriy Shevchenko, whose turn, run and fine shot had won the corner in the first place. His movement last night represented a considerable improvement on his lacklustre performance at Old Trafford, but he was hauled off 15 minutes from the end and, despite strong words of support from Mourinho, has some way to go yet before he shakes off the accusation that he is another Juan Sebastián Verón of the Premiership.
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The goal came seconds before the end of a first half that Chelsea had dominated. Bolton Wanderers may have beaten Arsenal at the weekend to prove, according to Sam Allardyce, that his team could “mix it with the best” but the Bolton manager will have known that there is a big difference between dismantling Arsène Wenger’s fragile construction and mugging Chelsea.
Allardyce may revel in the misery he inflicts on Wenger every year, and he described his Arsenal counterpart in last night’s programme notes as “a man who will never blame himself but will always look for excuses. He should have a heart big enough to accept that ‘Little Old Bolton’ can outbattle his Gunners”.
Yet while there may be a hoodoo for one London team in these parts, Chelsea’s visits have brought only contentment for Mourinho. His team had clinched the championship here two seasons ago with a 2-0 victory, all but secured another title with the same result 12 months later and they played last night with robustness and self-belief.
Mourinho had kept the team that had started at Old Trafford on Sunday and its formidable four-man midfield, allied to a secure defence, was never likely to be cowed by Bolton. A bruised foot ruled out Joe Cole, and Arjen Robben was also said to have an injury, but neither would have been involved in a game in which Chelsea, inevitably, were going to come under aerial pressure.
Bolton’s three-man midfield of Iván Campo, Kevin Nolan and Gary Speed were putting in a hard shift, and they were getting support from Kevin Davies and El-Hadji Diouf, but Chelsea’s durable diamond steadily tightened their grip on the game.
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The home side were clinging on when the champions eventually took the lead. Bolton may pride themselves on their efficiency from set-pieces, but Chelsea had announced their own threat, not only in scoring from a corner at Old Trafford but also when Ricardo Carvalho headed against the outside of the post from a Lampard inswinger.
After Shevchenko’s 30-yard drive had been tipped over by the busy Jussi Jaaskelainen, Lampard whipped the resultant corner to the near post, where Ballack pounced. “I always said that this game would be decided by set-pieces,” Allardyce said, ruefully. With only Davies challenging Ballack, Bolton might review their marking, but in its directness, simplicity and excellence of execution, this was a case of the biter bit.
Bolton’s anger at the goal had less to do with its manner than its timing, coming deep into added time before the interval. Given that Steve Bennett had signalled two extra minutes and a maximum of 30 seconds more than that had elapsed, it was hard to see why the official should depart to a chorus of jeers.
Instead, Bennett should have been commended for showing common sense when Campo and Carvalho squabbled in the penalty area. The Bolton man raised his hands and other officials might have overreacted, but, sensibly, only yellow was shown in a game that was faultless in terms of effort (Nolan played on gamely after dislocating a finger), but disjointed and, until Bolton’s late rally, lacking in thrills.
Never the sort to capitulate, Bolton threw Jaaskelainen forward at a corner as they pressed for an equaliser and Chelsea were thankful for Carlo Cudicini, who twice denied Diouf. “We fought like heroes,” Mourinho said. “We played a brilliant game in the first half. Ballack’s goal was more than justice for what we did.”
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Bolton Wanderers (4-1-2-3): J Jaaskelainen — N Hunt, A Meïté, A Faye, T Ben Haim — I Campo — K Nolan, G Speed — K Davies (sub: R Vaz Té, 76min), N Anelka, E-H Diouf. Substitutes not used: A Al Habsi, S Giannakopoulos, H Pedersen, I Tal. Booked: Faye, Campo, Nolan.
Chelsea (4-4-2): C Cudicini — Gérémi, R Carvalho, J Terry, A Cole — M Essien, C Makelele, M Ballack, F Lampard — A Shevchenko (sub: S Kalou, 77), D Drogba (sub: J O Mikel, 90). Substitutes not used: Hilário, K Boulahrouz, S Wright-Phillips. Booked: Carvalho.
Referee: S Bennett.