Ancelotti left his post less than two hours after Sunday’s final Barclays Premier League match of the season at Everton, which the Blues lost 1-0. That saw the Blues finish second, level on points with Manchester City.

That heralded the end of their worst season since Roman Abramovich bought the club in 2003, with Ancelotti failing to win a trophy in what was his second year at the helm.

A year ago he led Chelsea to the Barclays Premier League and FA Cup Double but he was unable to replicate that success this season and paid the price for a Champions League exit to Manchester United who also pipped them to the title.

A statement on the club website yesterday confirmed: “Chelsea Football Club can confirm that Carlo Ancelotti parted company with the club today (Sunday, 22 May).

“The owner and board would like to thank Carlo for his contribution and achievements since taking over as manager in July 2009, which included winning the Double for the first time in the club’s history.

“However, this season’s performances have fallen short of expectations and the club feels the time is right to make this change ahead of next season’s preparations.

“Carlo will always be welcome at Stamford Bridge, where he will be given the reception and respect his position in our history deserves.

“Chelsea’s long-term football objectives and ambitions remain unchanged and we will now be concentrating all our efforts on identifying a new manager.

“There will be no further comment until that appointment is made.”

Source: premierleague.com

The victory, secured thanks to goals from Javier Hernandez and Nemanja Vidic, gives Sir Alex Ferguson’s side a six-point lead with two games remaining in the Premier League season. Only a minor miracle will now prevent them from securing a fourth league title in five seasons, and surpassing the overall record they currently hold with Liverpool.

Any hopes Chelsea had of taking top spot with a victory were undone as early as 36 seconds into the game when David Luiz failed to cut out a pass from Park Ji-Sung and Javier Hernandez, clinical as ever, beat Petr Cech for the 19th goal of his debut season in England.

United’s lead was doubled after 23 minutes when Ryan Giggs, now surely destined to collect his 12th title-winner’s medal, found Nemanja Vidic with a cross and the United captain converted with a glancing header.

Chelsea performed horribly in the first half, with Luiz and John Obi Mikel both substituted at half-time, but somehow pulled a goal back on 68 minutes when Frank Lampard poked home a volley following Branislav Ivanovic’s knockdown.

But Chelsea were unable to claw their way back into the game and instead the best chances fell to United, with Hernandez unmarked when missing a header, as they closed out the all-important win. United have won 52 of an available 54 points at Old Trafford this season and will win the title if they secure a draw away at Blackburn prior to the FA Cup final on Saturday.

That result finally extinguished Arsenal’s tiny hopes of winning the title, and a 3-1 defeat to FA Cup semi-finalists Stoke ensured The Gunners failed to take three points for the seventh time in nine games as their season continued to peter out to a disappointing end. Having beaten Manchester United in their previous match, they now remain five points ahead of Manchester City in third place with two games remaining after their latest disappointment.

Arsenal were behind when Andrei Arshavin committed a foul near the corner spot, allowing Jermaine Pennant to whip in a free-kick that found Kenwyne Jones unmarked and cushioned off the striker’s chest and in. Five minutes before half-time, Pennant, who joined Arsenal as a 16-year-old in 1999, capitalised on another defensive lapse to fire in a shot that deflected off Johan Djourou and over Wojciech Szczesny.

Aaron Ramsey’s return to the scene of his horrific leg injury suffered last season lasted only 45 minutes as he was substituted at half-time, while tempers flared in the second half as Alex Song and Robert Huth and Jack Wilshere and Pennant became involved in confrontations.

Robin van Persie scored with nine minutes remaining when his shot crept under Asmir Begovic, his record extending to scoring in eight away games in succession, but Stoke replied within 60 seconds. Both Laurent Koscielny and Johan Djourou were guilty of failing to clear and Jonathan Walters made it 3-1.

Wolves escaped the relegation zone with just two games remaining of the Premier League season courtesy of a 3-1 win in their derby match against West Bromwich Albion.

Mick McCarthy’s side started the day in 19th place but move up to 17th, one point ahead of both Blackpool and Birmingham, thanks to a win inspired by two goals from Scotland international Steven Fletcher, who has now scored four in four games.

Wolves benefitted from some sloppy West Brom defending from set-plays as they opened up a two-goal lead in the first half at Molineux. After 15 minutes, Adlene Guedioura turned a corner into the path of Fletcher, who finished from close range.

The players combined again after 28 minutes, this time Fletcher heading back across goal from a corner and the unmarked Guedioura doubling Wolves’ lead. Fletcher continued his fine recent form when claiming a second from Kevin Foley’s assist after half-time as he capitalised on an error by Abdoulaye Meite, but Guedioura conceded a penalty after 54 minutes, allowing Peter Odemwingie to score his 15th goal of the season, and fifth in five games.

Jerome Thomas then hit the bar as West Brom threatened to mount a comeback, but the Baggies, already safe from relegation, were defeated by their local rivals in a big result for Wolves.

Source: soccernet.espn.go.com

Pic: belfasttelegraph.co.uk

United earned their place in the last four for the fourth time in five seasons with a 2-1 success over Chelsea – who ended the match with 10-men after Ramires was sent-off in the second-half – and a 3-1 triumph on aggregate which will heap the pressure on the losers’ manager Carlo Ancelotti.

United – whose goals came from Javier Hernandez and Korean Park Ji-Sung – will play either Schalke 04 or holders Inter Milan, with the Italian side requiring a miracle in Germany on Wednesday as they trail 5-2.

Barcelona – reaching the semifinals for a record fourth successive time – inflicted the first home defeat in European competition on 2009 UEFA Cup winners Shakhtar since they lost to Sporting Lisbon in October, 2008 as Lionel Messi scored the only goal of the game to seal a 6-1 aggregate victory.

Messi’s goal, his 48th of the campaign and yet another landmark for the two-time world player of the year as it is a club record for a season, sets them up for a likely semi-final with bitter domestic rivals Real Madrid, who take a 4-0 lead to Spurs in Wednesday’s second leg clash.

Ancelotti had got the better of Ferguson and United twice before in the competition when in charge of AC Milan but apart from the opening 25 minutes there was little to suggest he would make it three.

Ferguson believes that United’s form is an ominous sign for their opponents as they attempt to do the treble of the league title, FA Cup and Champions League.

“You can see the momentum that this team is building up at the moment,” said the 69-year-old Scot.

“I think we’ve hit our form. The two matches against Chelsea and the league win over West Ham (a 4-2 win) shows that.”

Ancelotti was gracious in a defeat that all but ensures barring a miraculous run of results in the league they will finish trophyless this season – not something Russian owner Roman Abramovich will appreciate.

“We had good control of the game in the first 25 minutes but failed to take our chances,” admitted Ancelotti.

“We have to move on from this and ensure we finish in the top four (a Champions League spot).”

Ancelotti’s decision to start with the misfiring Fernando Torres was an abject failure as the Spanish striker spent more time arguing with the referee than in the opponent’s penalty area and is now 11 hours without a goal since signing from Liverpool.

However, Ancelotti insisted there was no question of ditching the Spaniard, who has looked out of sorts since an underwhelming World Cup finals campaign for him personally last year.

“We have to get him to believe and to get his passion back,” said Ancelotti.

It was no surprise that Ancelotti brought on Didier Drogba for Torres at half-time but the damage had been done with Hernandez’s first-half goal after fine work by Ryan Giggs and John O’Shea having separated the sides.

Chelsea’s task became all but impossible in the 70th minute as Ramires received his marching orders for a second bookable offence after clumsily clattering into Nani from behind.

Drogba gave them hope of pulling off a remarkable win in the 77th minute but their hopes were dashed a minute later as another sublime pass by Giggs found Park and he shot past Cech into the far corner.

“It’s remarkable Park’s record of goals in important matches,” purred Ferguson.

Barcelona could afford to sit back and allow Shakhtar come at them but the hosts were punished on the stroke of half-time as Messi latched onto a fortunate rebound from a home defender and slotted the ball home.

“This fourth consecutive qualification for the semifinals is a huge achievement,” said Barca coach Pep Guardiola.

“Barcelona have never done this before. This is a huge pleasure.”

Source + Pic: sport.iafrica.com

Manchester United have not won at Stamford Bridge in almost a decade, but that all changed on Wednesday night when they took a slender lead in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final by beating Chelsea 0 – 1.

Wayne Rooney‘s foul-mouthed celebration after scoring a hat-trick at West Ham on Saturday may have landed him in hot water with the Football Association, but he carried on his fine form against Chelsea with an away goal for United to take back to Old Trafford for the return match next Tuesday.

The crucial moment arrived midway through the first half when Ryan Giggs superbly controlled a long pass from Michael Carrick and cut the ball back for Rooney to slide home a composed finish that went in off the post.

Chelsea almost equalised on the stroke of half-time as Fernando Torres guided an effort against the post and Frank Lampard’s volley on the rebound was cleared off the line by Patrice Evra.

Torres went close again in the second half but still could not open his account for the Bluesas Edwin van der Sar pulled off a magnificent acrobatic save to claw out his well-placed header.

United had to withstand spells of Chelsea pressure, particularly in the closing stages, when confident penalty appeals for a foul on Ramires by Evra were waved away, but were largely comfortable in keeping them at bay and occasionally threatened on the counter-attack.

Chelsea will nevertheless travel to Manchester with the tie still in the balance. Indeed, a repeat of the 2-1 success on their last trip to Old Trafford 12 months ago will be enough to send them through.

However, they will have to do far better in front of goal – and £50million man Torres in particular must start scoring after yet another ineffective display ended with an injury-time yellow card for diving.

At Upton Park on Saturday, Rooney completed his hat-trick, then headed straight towards a TV camera to deliver his ill-advised reaction that threatens his place in the FA Cup semi-final with Manchester City.
As his first-time effort caressed the base of Petr Cech’s left-hand post and rolled gently into the back of the Chelsea net, he again ran towards the lens.

This time, he stopped short, slid to his knees and waited to be mobbed by ecstatic team-mates.
They had every right too, especially Giggs given his outrageous contribution. Now 37, Sir Alex Ferguson has claimed the veteran Welshman could go on for a couple of years yet.

How the United boss must hope that is true. Having watched Michael Carrick deliver a pinpoint crossfield pass that was sensational in itself, Ferguson could only sit back and admire Giggs’ sublime first touch, which took him careering past the stranded Jose Bosingwa, and the coolness of his second, which left Rooney with a tap-in.
Cue delirium amongst the United contingent, satisfaction for Rooney and the precious away goal Ferguson had demanded.

Carlo Ancelotti could only urge his team – who had started the brighter – into some kind of response.
It should have come in the final minute of that opening period as Didier Drogba went for goal from an acute angle but his shot lacked power.

Torres closed in, yet somehow could not make a meaningful connection on the ball from a central position on the edge of the six-yard area.

As the ball bounced back off the post, Lampard went to tap home, only for Evra to clear off the line.
Given Saturday’s draw at Stoke and Inter Milan’s stunning demise to Schalke on Tuesday, it is hardly overestimating the situation to say Carlo Ancelotti’s job hangs on reaching the final, and for that Torres needs to do what Roman Abramovich paid all that money for.

United suffered a hammer blow within minutes of the restart when Rafael went down after a seemingly innocuous tangle with Drogba.

The young Brazilian bravely tried to continue but the pain in his left knee made it impossible, the stretcher carrying him away for what looks like a lengthy period.

Ferguson’s response was typical. With no obvious right-back replacement, instead of introducing a defender, in Chris Smalling or Jonny Evans, he went for Nani, asking Antonio Valencia to plug the gap.
Chelsea were able to get up a head of steam though, with Ramires wasting an excellent chance when he glanced Drogba’s effort wide of the far post and the Ivorian himself not too far away with a speculative overhead kick.

United’s defence – which has not conceded an away goal in this competition this season – held firm and came agonisingly close to grabbing a second when Nani drilled a cross to the far post that would have allowed Javier Hernandez to head into an empty net had Cech not gambled in a desperate attempt to claw the ball away from the Mexican.

The departure of Drogba for Nicolas Anelka 20 minutes from time placed even more weight on Torres’ shoulders just after Michael Essien had gone close for the hosts.

And the Liverpool man so nearly responded when he rose to meet Jose Bosingwa’s far-post cross and sent a header curling towards the corner that Van der Sar, troubled by a groin problem, was at full stretch to claw away.
United then breathed a sigh of relief in stoppage time when Evra sent Ramires tumbling but referee Alberto Mallenco failed to award what seemed to be a clear penalty.

There was still time for a Torres yellow card for diving under Valencia’s challenge, ending yet another unhappy night for the Spain star.

Source + Pic: skysports.com

Skipper Terry, 30, opened the scoring with a first-half header before vice-captain Lampard, 32, ended relegation-threatened Blackpool’s resistance with two goals in the second period, one a penalty.

Jason Puncheon, who hit the post for the home team in the first half, pulled a goal back with four minutes to go when he drilled a low left-footed shot into the corner of the net.

Chelsea are fourth in the table with 51 points from 28 matches. They have a game in hand on leaders Manchester United (60 points) and visit the Old Trafford side later in the season.

“I don’t think we were at our best today. At times we were a bit sloppy but luckily with a bit of quality up front we won it,” Lampard told Sky Sports.

As for Chelsea’s title ambitions, Lampard added: “You have to believe. It’s a long shot… but if we go and win every game we can still do it”.

The Londoners’ long trip to the north-west coast was anything but a pleasant evening by the seaside early on as Premier League paupers Blackpool hustled and bustled the multi-millionaires of Chelsea out of their stride.

Terry put the champions in front when he nodded home Lampard’s right-wing corner in the 20th minute but the visitors were generally toothless in attack.

New signing Fernando Torres hardly featured and strike partner Didier Drogba’s touch was poor.

The Ivorian was forced off early in the second half after hurting his hip and compatriot Salomon Kalou came on as a substitute to revitalise Chelsea’s fortunes.

Kalou was brought down in the penalty area by Blackpool defender Ian Evatt in the 63rd minute and Lampard calmly stroked the spot kick past Richard Kingson.

Three minutes later Kalou produced some clever footwork before sending Lampard racing clear to sidefoot Chelsea’s third goal.

Source: supersport.co.za

Pic: football365.com

United deservedly led through Wayne Rooney’s 29th-minute shot but defender David Luiz equalised nine minutes into the second half.

The champions, unbeaten at home against United since 2002, surged forward after that and took the points after Chris Smalling tripped substitute Yuri Zhirkov.

United remain top on 60 points, four clear of Arsenal, who have a game in hand. Manchester City are third on 50 with champions Chelsea now up to fourth on 48.

“It was a great performance by us. We didn’t deserve that,” United manager Alex Ferguson told Sky Sports. “It’s three years in a row the referees’ decisions have changed the game.

“I’m proud of my players tonight, they’ve endured a lot of decisions against them and they’ve done their best.”

Defender Nemanja Vidic’s stoppage-time red card for a second booking completed United’s miserable night. Ferguson felt Luiz should also been sent off for a robust challenge on Rooney and Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti said the defender “could have been lucky”.

The Italian was pleased with his side’s commitment.

“The performance was really good. If you do not play well you cannot beat Man Utd,” he said.

The fixture that has so often been billed as a virtual title decider in recent seasons, initially had something of a low-key feel about it with Chelsea unaccustomedly so far adrift of their rivals and their hopes of retaining the title long gone.

Ancelotti opted to go with Fernando Torres and Nicolas Anelka as his front men, leaving Didier Drogba on the bench.

Alex Ferguson also permed two from three with Rooney and Javier Hernandez starting together, with Dimitar Berbatov among the substitutes. It was the same strike force from Saturday’s 4-0 win over Wigan Athletic.

The manager said before the game that Rooney was fortunate to be playing having escaped a ban for his off-the-ball elbowing of Wigan’s James McCarthy but he was not the only pantomime villain on show as United gave a special welcome to Ashley Cole.

The England defender had been fined and investigated by the police for shooting a member of the Chelsea staff with an air gun at their training ground. One United fan held up a sign saying: “Don’t shoot Ashley” while all of them roared “shoot” every time he touched the ball.

In an open, attacking game, United gradually took control and Rooney should have put them ahead when he mistimed a header after 21 minutes.

He made amends eight minutes later when he collected the ball 25 metres out, turned in acres of space and drove a fierce low shot beyond Petr Cech into the bottom corner.

Chelsea showed more energy after the break and levelled after 54 minutes when Ivanovic headed a deep cross into the path of Luiz and the Brazilian defender waited for it to drop before expertly slamming a shot past Edwin van der Sar.

Drogba replaced Anelka after an hour while Berbatov went on for Hernandez 10 minutes later. Ryan Giggs also joined the fray for his 606th league game, equalling Bobby Charlton’s United record set on the same ground in 1973.

Chelsea begun to control more of the ball, forcing United to defend deep and it was another subsitute, Zhirkov, on in the 71st minute for Florent Malouda, who turned the game when he went down under the challenge of Smalling.

Lampard dispatched a powerful penalty and Chelsea, instead of trailing the leaders by 18 points, are now 12 adrift and back in the Champions League places.

Source: sport24.co.za

The two strikers, together with Benfica defender David Luiz who also joined Chelsea on deadline day, took spending in the final hour of the transfer window to around £100 million (approximately R1,1 billion) as the club’s owners flexed their financial muscles.

Torres cost Chelsea a widely reported £50 million — a new British record by quite a margin — after the 22-year-old Carroll signed a five and a half year deal with Liverpool, his fee reported to be £35 million.

Carroll will not have to fill the hole left by the 26-year-old Torres alone, however, after Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish also completed the signing of Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez from Ajax for a further €26.5 million (approximately R260,5 million).

Torres could face Liverpool in a blue Chelsea shirt on Sunday when the sides meet in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge and should expect a frosty reception from the Liverpool fans who idolised him after his 2007 move from Atletico Madrid.

“This is a big step forward in my career to join a club like Chelsea,” Torres, who netted 81 times in 142 games for Liverpool, told Chelsea’s television channel.

“They are one of the biggest teams in Europe and are always fighting for everything and it’s a target for every footballer to play for one of the top clubs in the world.

“I’m happy that I am. I am very happy with my transfer to Chelsea and I am looking forward very much to helping my new team mates this season and for many years to come.”

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich reminded the football world of his spending power after some belt-tightening in the last couple of seasons and displayed his support for under-fire manager Carlo Ancelotti, who led the club to the double in 2009-10.

“Signing a player of the stature of Fernando Torres benefits the club on many levels,” Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay told the club’s website.

“Carlo Ancelotti was keen to add his talents to the squad as we continue our quest for three trophies this season, we are delighted we have succeeded with that wish, and this signing will undoubtedly aid the club in realising our worldwide potential — on and off the pitch.”

Liverpool’s new American owner John Henry also made a statement of intent — backing Kenny Dalglish and averting a fans’ backlash that would have followed had Torres left and not been adequately replaced.

Dalglish will hope that Suarez, who will wear the number seven shirt that the Scot and Kevin Keegan also graced, makes an instant impact and can forge a partnership with England striker Carroll to salvage something from a dismal season.

Carroll, who has scored 11 league goals for Newcastle this season and earned an England call-up, may have to wait to make his debut, though, having been sidelined with a thigh injury.

When trading closed on Monday, England’s Premier League clubs had spent more than £200 million in January, a new record despite the economic woes afflicting the country.

However, apart from the goings on at Anfield and Stamford Bridge, there were few other meaty deals done on deadline day.

Arsenal were quiet while Manchester City settled for the signing of Bosnia striker Edin Dzeko earlier in the month.

Tottenham Hotspur, striving to break back into the top four, attempted a late swoop for Blackpool’s highly-rated playmaker Charlie Adam but were unsuccessful.

Elsewhere, Aston Villa signed US international midfielder Michael Bradley on loan from Germany’s Borussia Moenchengladbach while allowing Stephen Ireland to go on loan to Newcastle.

Earlier in the month Villa broke their own transfer record when they signed Darren Bent from Sunderland for a fee that could top out at £24 million.

Friday was a happy day for another London club as Tottenham Hotspur enriched themselves by £6 million after reportedly accepting Birmingham City’s bid for striker Robbie Keane. Staying in London, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is desperate to hang on to attacker Andrey Arshavin.
In other transfer news in England, Everton manager David Moyes revealed that they have accepted a bid for midfielder Steven Pienaar from a club that has yet to be named while Roque Santa Cruz ended his exile at Manchester City by returning to Blackburn Rovers on loan for the rest of the season.

In Spain, Real Madrid admitted that they need a striker this month after the club’s general director Jorge Valdano ‘officially’ opened the search for a forward. Lionel Messi urged Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola to sign a contract extension and Barca midfielder Victor Vazquez found himself on the radar of Blackburn.

In Italy, Amauri dismissed speculation linking him with a move away from Turin in January and claimed that he will stay with Juventus beyond this month. Lazio sporting director Igli Tare revealed that striker Giuseppe Sculli will arrive from Genoa in the next few days and Italian and European champions Inter have joined city-rivals Milan in the race to sign midfielder Mark van Bommel from Bayern Munich. Milan are also said to be interested in Juventus midfielder Mohamed Sissoko.

In other major transfer news on Friday, Nuernberg signed Wolfsburg starlet Nassim Ben Khalifa on loan, Lokomotiv Moscow recruited Senijad Ibricic from Hajduk Split and Djibril Cisse confirmed that he will stay with Panathinaikos.

Source: supersport.co.za ; goal.com

Pic: supersport

“Fernando Torres tonight submitted a written transfer request, which has been rejected by Liverpool,” Liverpool said in a statement on its website.

“Fernando is under a long-term contract and the Club expects him to honour the commitment he made to Liverpool FC and its supporters when he signed the agreement.”

Torres, 26, is under contract at Liverpool until 2013. However he is widely reported to have a buy-out clause in his deal which will allow him to leave if another team matches his £50 million valuation.

Chelsea had been told that the Spanish international was not for sale, Liverpool said in a statement on its website on Friday.

Source + Pic: supersport.co.za

Chelsea is in need of a new forward to help its faltering title defense after slipping from top to fourth in the standings, 10 points behind leader Manchester United.

“Chelsea have made an offer for Fernando which has been rejected,” Liverpool announced late on Thursday. “The player is not for sale.”

Liverpool’s American owner John Henry is not prepared to let his top player leave, with the team showing signs of a recovery since Kenny Dalglish returned to the manager’s job at the start of the month.

Consecutive victories have lifted Liverpool away from the relegation up to seventh – nine points behind Chelsea in the final Champions League qualification spot.

The bid for Torres was put at 35 million pounds ($56 million) by British media, although the World Cup-winning Spain striker has only found the net nine times for Liverpool since returning from South Africa.

But three of those goals have come since Dalglish replaced Roy Hodgson for a second stint as Liverpool manager.

Torres joined Liverpool for a club-record 20.3 million pounds (then $40.6 million) in 2007 from Atletico Madrid and is under contract until 2013.

Despite Liverpool’s struggles this season and the lack of Champions League football, Torres committed his future to the team earlier this month.

“My head is in Liverpool and on helping save our season. I am professional and I always fulfill my deals,” Torres said. “I haven’t considered leaving, although in football that depends on the club.”

Source: sport24.co.za

Carlo Ancelotti’s side had fallen away from contention for the title with a record of one win in nine matches but they have now won their past eight matches at the Reebok Stadium without conceding a goal.

Victory moved them up to fourth and to within seven points of leaders Manchester United, who travel to Blackpool on Tuesday which continued the poor run of Owen Coyle’s side, who have now suffered four defeats in their last five matches in a damaging run of form and are just eight points above the bottom three.

Drogba gave Chelsea an early lead with his 10th of the season and Frenchman Malouda equalled that tally with a second goal just before half time.

Anelka then added a third goal, his 13th of the campaign, shortly after half time before Ramires scored a fourth, his first goal for the club.

Having put on celebrations of the life of recently-deceased club legend Nat Lofthouse before the match, Bolton’s players were determined to put on a strong performance and Kevin Davies forced an early save from Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech as the hosts did all the early pressing.

But Chelsea took the lead with their first real attack with 10 minutes gone.

Malouda pounced on a hesitant Gretar Steinsson and fed Drogba, who drove a powerful shot past Jussi Jaaskelainen from just outside the area.

Ramires also drove over from long range as Chelsea looked for a second before Bolton’s Gary Cahill headed wide from a free kick from Stuart Holden.

Chelsea still looked stronger going forward and Anelka almost got on the end of a long ball forward from Cech.

But Jaaskelainen did well to keep the advantage at one goal when Drogba thumped a shot at his near post after another fine throughball from Malouda.

The Chelsea chances continued, with John Obi Mikel slipping the ball through for Anelka, whose shot was blocked by a sliding challenge from Zat Knight.

Bolton threatened just before the break when Johan Elmander got on the end of a Davies flick only for his prod at goal to be pushed wide by Cech.

Chelsea continued to dictate play after the half time break, with Michael Essien wasting a good chance to send Anelka through again after another swift attack.

An effort from Martin Petrov from almost 30 yards hinted at the growing frustration of the home team.

But 10 minutes after half time, Chelsea punished Bolton with a ruthless break.

Essien found space down the left and although Knight beat Drogba to the Ghanaian’s cross, Anelka’s low shot had enough power to beat Jaaskelainen.

Bolton’s night was all but over but substitute Mark Davies almost got on the end of a return pass from Elmander as he looked to reduce the deficit.

But the hosts knew they were always struggling to make any impression and after Anelka’s shot was blocked from Essien’s cross, Ramires steered a fourth goal past Jaaskelainen.

Chelsea could even have had a late penalty when Anelka went down in the area under a heavy challenge from Bolton defender Paul Robinson.

But the visitors were able to conserve their energy for their FA Cup trip to Everton at the weekend by coasting through the final stages.

Source + Pic: supersport.co.za