Premiership - Bolton Away 6th December 2008 - 2-0

[Alan]

Anelka and Deco Create More Happy Memories for Chelsea at the Reebok

By Alan McGuinness

Nicolas Anelka and Deco grabbed the goals as Chelsea beat Bolton 2-0 at the Reebok stadium this afternoon, and set a new record in the process.

With this win Chelsea have surpassed Tottenham’s record for consecutive away league wins set in the 1960/61 season. It also adds to a growing collection of happy memories for Chelsea at this ground.

It was at this ground in 2005 that a Frank Lampard double secured Chelsea’s first league title in 50 years.

Anelka opened the scoring with a diving header, and Deco doubled Chelsea’s lead with a brilliant scissor-kick into the corner.

Both players had a chance to add to Chelsea’s tally, but they were wasteful in front of goal.

Kevin Davies found himself unmarked from a corner in the early stages, but he headed over.

Davies was made to pay for his profligacy when ex-Bolton striker Anelka put his current club ahead. The Frenchman’s diving header from Jose Bosingwa’s cross found its way in off the post.

Deco produced a sublime second with just over 20 minutes on the clock. The diminutive Portuguese midfielder - who has been noticeably off form recently - scissor-kicked a volley into the bottom corner.

Chelsea sniffed blood, and Anelka could have grabbed a second a couple of minutes later, but his effort was wide of Jussi Jaaskelainen’s goal.

Bolton found themselves unable to deal with Chelsea on the break, and were lucky to go in at half time with the score at 2-0.

The home side emerged for the second half with the words of their manager Gary Megson no doubt ringing in their ears, and they began to show a marked improvement.

However, they were still vulnerable on the break, and Deco should have added a third in the 55th minute, but he tried to be far too clever in chipping the ball over Jaaskelainen and saw his shot trickle wide.

Chelsea had to weather a number of Bolton attacks, and survived two penalty appeals for handball by John Terry within minutes of each other.

Lampard also had a great chance to find the back of the net, but he shot straight at Jaaskelainen after being played in by Anelka.

Alex had a go with a typically powerful free kick, but Jaaskelainen was equal to the task and managed to hold onto the ball with Anelka in close attendance.

Gary Cahill had Bolton’s best chance to reduce arrears in the second half, but Cech managed to parry his header and then block the follow up from Gavin McCann.

Paulo Ferreira and Branislav Ivanovic were sent on to whittle down time and see the game out, but not before Bosingwa rather poorly fired over the bar when it seemed easier to score.

Chelsea are starting to confront a new found vulnerability at home, but on the road they remain a different proposition entirely.