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Bolton Wanderers 0 – 1 Chelsea
Ground: The Reebok Stadium | Attendance: 23,559 | Referee: Steve Bennett
- [45] Ballack – Chelsea
A goal shortly before half-time was enough to ensure Chelsea maintained some pressure on Manchester United, unfortunately this was at the expense of The Wanderers who, despite battling, were unable to find an equalizer.
There were times that Bolton did show promise throughout the game. Attempts from Kevin Davies (who headed over from 6 yards early in the game), Tal Ben Haim striking from 20 yards, and an unlucky Al-Hadji Diouf who forced Carlos Cudicini to make a super save.
In the dying seconds of the first half Michael Ballack escaped from Bolton’s Kevin Davies as Lampard’s corner came in to give Germany’s captain what appeared to be an easy header past Jaaskelainen.
Other than that Jussi had a great game and literally saved Bolton from what could have been another unfortunate and embarrassing defeat that would have seen their goal difference somewhat diminished. Jussi had to make some spectacular saves, including a number of shots from Drogba and Lampard which really tested the Finnish ‘keeper.
During the second half seemed content to let The Trotters come forward as they were extremely confident in defending their single goal lead. Bolton looked a lot stronger in the second 45 and were worthy of a share of the points, but Bolton’s finishing overall was far from spectacular and all to often too distant to worry Cudcini.
Blues boss Jose Mourinho made comment after the match:
“We are not top of the league. We want to be there all the time but we had two very difficult matches. If you do it wrong you can leave Old Trafford with six points (deficit) and Bolton maybe nine points.
“I don’t think we will take a lot of time to be top of the league.
“It was always going to be a tough game at Bolton.“
He continued with more praise for his own team:
“We were magnificent in the first half and a 1-0 scoreline was the minimum reward we deserved for our efforts. They came back strong after the break.
“Every one of our players was a fighter. We played a complete game.”
Bolton boss, Allardyce’s comments showed signs of overall disappointment:
“In open play we limited them to shots outside the box. They scored on the stroke of half-time from a corner, which was very disappointing.
“I have to praise the players for the way they approached the second half. But our finishing let us down.”
A draw who have been fantastic for The Wanderers but alas it was not to be. Just be grateful, as a Wanderer fan, that Chelsea didn’t win by 4 of 5 – now that would have been unbearable and goes to show that this season’s squad is a lot stronger and that European trips next season are likely.
