Chelsea 1-0 Bolton

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Nicolas Anelka scored the only goal as Chelsea extended their lead at the top of the Premier League.

The Frenchman scored his 13th goal of the season to settle a tense encounter with Owen Coyle's side, who had two penalty shouts turned down during a frantic match that has consequences at both ends of the table.

Chelsea's lead is now a relatively healthy-looking four points, and with just four games remaining the Blues appear certain favourites for the Premier League title.

And Anelka's goal against his former employees ensures that Chelsea now have room for error at the top, and a 2-1 victory for Tottenham over Arsenal in the North London derby also has positive connotations for the Blues as Arsene Wenger's side are effectively out of the title race.

In a week where there has been criticism over Anelka's relationship with strike partner Didier Drogba, it was somewhat appropriate that the Ivorian and Frenchman should combine to score the game-winning goal, and Anelka's strike - his first since January - will do wonders for his confidence.

Carlo Ancelotti surprised many with his team selection as he chose to field Salmon Kalou and Anelka in favour of in-form duo Deco and Florent Malouda, whilst Joe Cole was also dropped from the bench.

The first half proved to be a dour stalemate - the best chance falling inadvertently to Kalou after Drogba's free kick was parried by Jussi Jaaskelainen. The ball hit Kalou on the head, but with mere milliseconds to react he could only direct the ball wide.

There was also a horrible clash of heads between Yuri Zhirkov and Trotters skipper Kevin Davies that saw the Russian require several stitches at half-time.

Drogba continued to be frustrated by a resolute Bolton side when he fired another free kick wide, whilst he then appeared to handle the ball in his own area when helping his defenders - Chelsea were lucky to survive a very strong penalty call.

But the Ivorian then made amends for his earlier wastefulness from dead ball situations when he fired in an inch perfect cross for Anelka, who headed beyond Jaaskelainen with aplomb.

Kalou then wasted a wonderful opportunity for the Blues to put the game to bed even before half-time when he shot straight at Jaaskelainen after good industry demonstrated by Drogba - but the narrow lead would ultimately prove a crucial one.

The second half was tense but offered more entertainment. The best Chelsea chances fell to Frank Lampard, who rifled against the post after a lovely dummy by substitute Joe Cole, and earlier Kalou who again fired too close to the goalkeeper.

Bolton had another penalty shout turned down when the ball hit John Terry perilously close to the arm, but replays showed it was the Chelsea captain’s shoulder that made contact.

Florent Malouda was introduced part-way through the half to add some much-needed energy into Chelsea's lethargic attack, and he made an instant impression as he set up Yuri Zhirkov, who stung the Bolton goalkeeper's hands with a fierce effort.

Cole was then guilty of a wonderful opportunity to ease nerves around Stamford Bridge when he stood on the ball rather than firing home, whilst Bolton forward Johann Elmander wasted a glorious chance to equalise when he headed wide with Petr Cech looking beaten.

Cech, though rarely tested, earned his 100th Premier League clean-sheet in 180 matches - and it was a crucial landmark in the Chelsea stopper's career. Their march to the title continues.

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Chelsea (4-3-3): Cech; Ferreira, Alex, Terry ©, Zhirkov; Ballack, Mikel, Lampard; Anelka (Malouda 66), Drogba, Kalou (J Cole 76)

Bolton (4-4-1-1): Jaaskelainen; Steinsson, Cahill, Knight, Robinson; Lee (Klasnic 82), Muamba, Ricketts, Taylor; Wilshere (Elmander 82); K Davies ©

The TalkChelsea.net Man of the Match was Chelsea's number 18, Yuri ZHIRKOV