The ?Special One? told us it would turn out all right in the end so why did I have the temerity to doubt him?
In the space of less than twenty-four hours the Premiership title race has taken yet another dramatic twist. With many punters expecting Manchester United to steamroller Sunderland and Bolton to turn us over thereby reducing the gap to four points, it?s particularly pleasing to glance that the table and fid that they were all wrong.
Instead the gap is now a magnificent nine points with only four matches to be played. It leaves us with the enticing prospect that anything other than a Manchester United win at Spurs, coupled with us defeating Everton on Monday, will se us crowned Champions for the second successive year.
It was obviously a fact not lost on the players as they celebrated the 2-0 victory over Bolton at the Reebok Stadium. The wide smiles suggesting that the team now realise that they can become the fourth team in history to win back-to-back top flight titles. With memories of last year still fresh it seemed a lot less that the 350 days ago it was, more like a few weeks so vivid are the scenes in my own mind.
For the fixture Mourinho chose to make only the one change. With Maniche suspended following his red card last weekend, Joe Cole was asked to play at the head of a diamond formation in midfield. Bolton entered the fixture having lost their last four Premiership games by a solitary goal and with Sam Allardyce keen to reverse the trend.
Chelsea were aware that Bolton would take the aerial route and coped capably with two early set pieces from the home side. Indeed it wasn?t until the quarter of an hour mark that Chelsea had their first attempt on goal when Frank Lampard saw a free kick drift harmlessly wide. Bolton continued to push forward and Terry had to block another set piece as the Chelsea defence held firm.
Drogba, continuing where he left of flast week, worked hard to win a free kick and when Crespo flicked at Lampard?s near post cross the home keeper had to remain alert to save low down. Midway through the half the home side should have taken the lead. A neat move involving Bergetti and Vaz Te saw the Portuguese youngster break through the Chelsea defence. Thankfully his shot wasn?t struck correctly and although the ball looped past Cech it bounced to safety off of the foot of the post.
Bolton were pushing forward and Nolan fired over from twenty yards when well placed before a classic Chelsea move involving Lampard and Crespo saw Gardner concede a corner that Lampard contrived to deliver too deep. With half time approaching it looked as if the deadlock wouldn?t be broken. However, Chelsea had other ideas and opened the scoring with a fine goal on the stroke of half time.
Campo crudely brought down Lampard and when the midfielder delivered a perfect ball into the danger area Drogba and Terry rose to nod it home. Although both players wheeled away in triumph the last touch clearly belonged to Terry.
At 1-0 up you doubted that Bolton had the courage, charisma or skill to turn matters around. Indeed, Chelsea, under Mourinho, have not been beaten after scoring first in fifty five games.
Allardyce tried to spice things up at half time by introducing Pedersen and Stelios in place of Borgetti and Vaz Te. Early in the half Pedersen engineered a chance but could only manage to shoot over form twelve yards. It was to be a rare threat on the Chelsea goal from the home side. Five minutes later Chelsea wrapped matter sup with a fine second goal.
Lampard won possession and exchanged passes with Essien before laying off a fine ball to Crespo. The Argentine striker advanced before laying a delicate ball into the path of Lampard. From five yards out Lampard slotted past the keeper fro his fifteenth Premiership goal of the season.
Bolton visibly wilted and with half an hour to play you just knew we were that little closer to making history. Mourinho introduced Robben in place of Crespo and was later to late give opportunities to Huth and Ferriera. In almost comical fashion Huth received a yellow card, for handball, without actually having touched the ball since coming on.
In all honesty the referee, Phil Dowd, produced more yellow cards than necessary. In the first half Makelele was inexplicably booked for a niggling foul whilst Camp scythed down Lampard and only received a mild rebuke. However, in the second half Dowd got it completely right when he first booked Ben Taim for a clothes line challenge on Robben before, rightly, issuing a second yellow for a trip on Essien. However, quite how he contrived to book Drogba for handball late on is still the subject of much debate.
Nine points clear, it?s looking good, bring on Easter Monday! Could that be the day?
Cech 6, Geremi 6, Terry 8, Gallas 7, Del Horno 6, Makelele 8, Lampard 7, Essien 7, J.Cole 6 (Ferreira 6), Crespo 6 (Robben 7), Drogba 7 (Huth 5)
Manager Rating
Mourinho will be absolutely delighted that three more points are in the bag. He stuck with the same formation that beat West Ham United last weekend and reaped the rewards. He clashed with the fourth official over a Campo challenge that deserved a yellow card but didn?t get one. Will be keen to get the title won on Monday thereby allowing him to concentrate fully on the FA Cup semi-final.
Opponent Rating
Allardyce ? Must be wondering where his next clean sheet will be coming from never mind his next win.