PREMIER LEAGUE LIVE: Bolton 0 Chelsea 4 - the action from the Reebok Stadium as it happened

By Dan Ripley for MailOnline
Updated: 17:04 EST, 24 January 2011

Follow Sportsmail's coverage of the Barclays Premier League where Bolton host Chelsea at the Reebok Stadium. The champions are looking for a victory that can put them back in the title race but the Trotters will be just as desperate for the three points with a place in Europe in their sights.

22.00: For Bolton they in fact drop a position after taking that hammering, with Stoke going above them into ninth by having a superior goal difference of one.

That's all from me this evening but check back tomorrow for coverage of the Carling Cup semi-final between Arsenal and Ipswich as well as more Premier League action.

Thank you for following and good night.

21.55: That puts the Blues three points clear of Spurs in fifth and seven points behind Manchester United in the race for the title.

21.53: If the first-half was slightly harsh on Bolton then the second addressed the balance.

It remains to be seen whether they can put performances like that week in-week out again but Chelsea are certainly getting back to their best.

Full-time: Bolton 0-4 Chelsea

90+3min: What a save from Jaaskelainen. Cole's low ball across the six yard box is hit first time by Anelka but the Finnish stopper showed lightning quick reactions to turn the ball behind.

90+2min: Even Ashley Cole wants a goal. Anelka walks into a dead end in the box before laying the ball towards the full-back. He is instantly surrounded and goes for a sneaky chip that clears the crossbar, but that was worth a go.

90min: Three minutes will be added on, just to rub it in for Bolton.

89min: Again Anelka has a stinging shot parried away by Jaaskelainen and Chelsea don't seem quite done yet.

Robbie Blake is on for Stuart Holden.

88min: Good save from Jaaskelainen. From inside the box, Anelka powers a low effort that the keeper parries away before an offside call goes in favour of the Trotters.

87min: It's been a disappointing night for the Trotters and the fans have long since started heading for the exits.

Popular man: Chelsea players mob Ramires (7) after he scores his first goal for the club

84min: Deary me that is a stonewall penalty! Anelka's quick feet are just too much for Robinson in the box and the full-back clumsily hauls the Frenchman down. Unbelievably the referee waves play and even more unbelievably  the incident was at a perfect angle for his assistant to see clearly. Just as well this game is 4-0 and not 0-0.

82min: Chelsea are pushing more forward now than they have all game, it's like they all sense a great chance of getting on the score sheet.

79min: It's not his night, Kevin Davies plays through Elmander again but under pressure and with the ball at an awkward height he balloons his first time effort over the bar.

77min: And that is Ramires' work done for the evening as he comes off for Salomon Kalou.

74min: GOAL! Bolton 0-4 CHELSEA

Same as the third goal really. Essien's cross finds Anelka whose shot is blocked by Paul Robinson, but Ramires is on hand to hit a first time shot with his side foot into the corner and score his first goal for the club.

72min: Time to test the youth as Josh McEachran replaces Jon Mikel Obi.

71min: More blushes are spared for Bolton, this time it is the other end as Elmander latches onto a Mark Davies through ball but slams his shot straight at Cech who was quick off his line to block the Swede. Either way the linesman's flag was already up.

Heads up: Ramires (left) and Muamba had a personal battle in the midfield

70min: Gary Cahill carelessly gives the ball away to Anelka on the halfway line, the Frenchman is through on goal but Knight gets back in time to block his shot that trickles into the arms of Jaaskelainen and spares Cahill's blushes.

Ramires is back on by the way.

68min: They have not given up yet, but they do not look to be getting any closer. Bolton doing plenty of attacking still but just don't look like finding a way through.

65min: He really has been in the wars this evening. Ramires limps off after he is clattered for the third time this evening.

63min: Double sub from Owen Coyle, Petrov is replaced by Rodrigo and Mark Davies is on for Muamba.

62min: The shackles are off now for Chelsea, I have not seen them play with this much confidence since September. Out come the tricks and flicks and they could get a couple more this evening.

60min: And that sums up Bolton as his free-kick crashes into the wall and clear of danger.

59min: Chance for Bolton as they win a free-kick on the right side of the penalty box, Taylor standing over this.

Threesy does it: Anelka pounced in the box to score Chelsea's third

56min: GOAL! Bolton 0-3 CHELSEA

This one is over, the Blues break and after Zat Knight does superb to beat Drogba to Michael Essien's low cross, Nicolas Anelka picks up the pieces and buries the rebound into the bottom corner.

55min: End-to-end. Petrov escapes down the left but his low cross into the box is wasted by Davies. Chelsea break but Drogba's ball out to the left is flagged for offside - wrongly. Insert your Gray/Keys joke here.

52min: Slightly amusing moment. Drogba goes down on the left after a high challenge from Taylor. After the midfielder protests, the Ivorian gets up and flashes his torso with the 'battle scars' to prove it.

Bolton clear the free-kick aimed into the box.

50min: In fact you know it's quiet when Ashley Cole is not getting booed.

49min: It's gone very quiet inside the stadium, home fans are looking down and there is not much noise from the Chelsea fans - if there are any.

Dead silence in the ground after Chelsea's two goals.

47min: Bolton again asking all the questions but it's all one word answers from the champions, as they simply say 'no' and offer no alternative attack.

In a nutshell, Bolton are pressing but are not doing much with it.

Second-half: No changes to tell you about as Bolton get us going again.

20.54: If you have not already seen it please find some time in your diaries to watch Drogba's goal.

I cannot remember the last time I saw a shot effectively straight at the keeper where the man between the sticks has no chance of saving it.

20.51: Perhaps a slightly harsh scoreline for Bolton that. They done the lions share of the attacking but the game is about goals and the Blues have been much more deadly in converting chances. A few grumbles from the home crowd as the players walk off at half-time.

Half-time: Bolton 0-2 Chelsea

44min: Brilliant improvising from Elmander, Davies flick on into the box looks harmless until the Swede throws an awkward looking volley at the ball that catches an unaware Cech out.The stopper fumbling the shot just wide of the post, luck has deserted the Trotters this half.

Beaten: Malouda (left) looks on as his shot somehow finds a way past Jaaskelainen and the Bolton defence

41min: GOAL! Bolton 0-2 CHELSEA

How has he got that in? Florent Malouda controls the ball at the far post but with options to cut back into the penalty box he twice shoots from a ridiculous angle. The first comes back to him and the second seems to go under Jaaskelainen and into the back of the net. Not a great moment for the Finnish keeper.

39min: Stick to 30 yards Didier. From 19 yards out he sends it comfortably over the bar.

I was here first: Jaaskelainen (left) beats former Bolton player Anelka to a loose ball

38min: That is 2004-spec Drogba. He goes down Platoon style on the edge of the box too easily under pressure from Steinsson and now the champions have a great chance from the set-piece.

34min: Muamba is very involved in this first half, he has a chance to attack John Terry one-on-one but he can only head a loose ball in the air to the centre-back who in turns nods it back to Cech.

31min: World class at both ends from Chelsea in this game. Petrov this time sends in a delightful ball from the left and Taylor's downward header is heading for the bottom corner until Cech springs to his left and tips it out behind.

30min: Good chance for Nicolas Anelka to score against his former club. He manages to break into the penalty box but he cannot find space to get a shot away with a deflection falling kindly for Jaaskelainen.

28min: Deja-vu as Muamba once again crashes into Ramires who is getting the rough treatment tonight. Chris Foy lets the Trotters' midfielder know that is his last warning.

Memories: Bolton players observe the minute silence for Nat Lofthouse before the game

27min: Astonishing stat from OptaJoe:

Chelsea have now scored 16 goals at the Reebok Stadium in the PL since Bolton's last strike against them there (Nov 2002). Hoodoo.

25min: Always frustrating to see as a fan. Petrov  does all the hard work in getting behind Bosingwa on the left but as he races down the flank, his cross is straight at Cech. A striker's pet hate.

22min: Bolton are the better side and that is a super cross from Matthew Taylor that requires Jose Bosingwa six yards out to take no chances and header behind his goal for a corner that Chelsea clear.

19min: More midfield trouble for Chelsea. Muamba is late and clumsy on Ramires and the Brazilian requires some treatment before getting up gingerly.

I bet nobody sold the Premier League to him with the advert of Monday night trips to Bolton.

17min: Stuart Holden whips in a free-kick from the left to the far post but Gary Cahill can only header wide. He claims he should have had a corner and he is right as the final touch came off John Terry.

16min: It could still be like that, this game has a slow tempo to it and the visitors are not pushing for a second.

Rocket: Drogba's fires Chelsea in front with a stunning strike

14min: That came out of nowhere too, in fact I was halfway towards typing that this game was becoming more like a Serie A match with every minute.

11min: GOAL! Bolton 0-1 CHELSEA

Goal of the month. There I have said it, this is a stunning strike. Florent Malouda steals the ball off Gretar Steinsson on the left before laying the ball off to Didier Drogba, who 30 yards out unleashes a powerful drive that viciously dips over Jussi Jaaskelainen and under the crossbar.

8min: The visitors have finally got some of the ball and are trying to boss possession,  all very tippy-tappy though at the moment - just like a Serie A game.

Respect: John Terry (left) and Kevin Davies with wreaths in memory of Nat Lofthouse

6min: Interesting opening to this game, Bolton looking the better side as Chelsea struggle to contain the pressure the hosts are putting on them.

3min: Wow, now Bolton should be winning! A cross from the left is flicked on by Johan Elmander with his head but Kevin Davies header of his own is straight at a very grateful Petr Cech.

2min: Chelsea are getting over run already. Fabrice Muamba nearly walks straight through the midfield and the defence before getting tackled, and moments later Stuart Holden gets a first time effort all wrong from the edge of the box as it hits Martin Petrov who is offside.

Kick-off: Chelsea get us underway.

20.01: It's Impeccably observed and the blow of the referee's whistle brings out huge roars from the home crowd as we get ready for kick-off.

20.00: We are going to have a minute silence for Nat Lofthouse - the Lion of Vienna.

19.58: Well I say it's packed. One end has a completely empty top tier which I'm going to hedge my bets and say it's the away stand.

19.57: Players are out, stadium is looking full and we should be in for a cracking atmosphere at least.

19.54: Incredible scenes in and around the Reebok Stadium.

There is a range of fans from those that saw him play saw him play to kids who can't even be in double figures - and they are all united in paying huge respect to a club legend.

19.51: One thing I have not touched upon is the absence of Frank Lampard.

Chelsea's midfield really is not the same without him. Bolton must fancy their chances.

19.48: Much of the atmosphere surrounding the Reebok is centered on Nat Lofthouse who sadly passed away last week.

Trotters chairman Phil Gartside has said pre-match that tonight's game is a good opportunity for fans to remember their private thoughts of the striker who meant everything to the club.

19.45: I also realise some of you may not care what the Sky duo have been up to so if you want an alternative piece of pre-match reading, it’s worth clicking here to read Martin Samuel’s views on the struggles Carlo Ancelotti is facing in the Chelsea hot seat.

19.42: Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti recalls John Obi Mikel in the absence of Frank Lampard against Bolton at the Reebok Stadium.

The England international did not travel with the rest of the squad after recently returning from a four-month layoff caused by hernia and groin problems. The 32-year-old then picked up a calf injury.

Despite concerns about a back problem, skipper John Terry retains his place in the team.
Ancelotti's men are aiming to close in on leaders Manchester United and narrow a 10-point gap at the top.

Bolton show two changes with Gretar Steinsson and Martin Petrov both recalled. Sam Ricketts and Mark Davies stand down.

A minute's silence is due to be held before kick-off in memory of the late Nat Lofthouse, Bolton's legendary England striker.

19.39: It's a new face to me, cannot say I have seen him before.

As for Richard Key’s, it’s not the first time he has landed in hot water during his Sky career. We at Sportsmail have compiled a list of videos here highlighting his previous gaffes.

19.38: Instead of that gadget filled Monday Night Football studio I have become accustomed to, it's David Jones presenting coverage from the Reebok with guests Jamie Redknapp and Eidur Gudjohnsen.

19.36: Keys and Gray have been taken out the firing line for the television coverage of the game due to comments made last weekend which you can read the full details about by clicking here.

19.33: As promised:

Bolton v Chelsea
Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Cahill, Knight, Robinson, Petrov, Muamba, Holden, Taylor, Kevin Davies, Elmander. Subs: Bogdan, Mark Davies, Ricketts, Moreno, Blake, Cohen, Wheater.
Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole, Essien, Ramires, Mikel, Anelka, Drogba, Malouda. Subs: Turnbull, Ferreira, Kalou, Sturridge, Bruma, Kakuta, McEachran.
Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside)

19.30: The focus tonight should be on two teams who in recent weeks have lost their way a bit in the Premier League.

Chelsea in the early season were thinking about winning the Premier League in record time, while Bolton’s early form had them as outside bets for a place in the Champions League.

But instead of a pressure atmosphere on two teams that are struggling, the attention throughout the day has been on two Sky presenters who you may have heard have got into a bit of hot water.

More on Richard Keys and Andy Gray in a moment but don’t worry it’s not going to be the hot topic throughout the evening, we have a game of football to be getting on with.

Team news on the way.

Aiming high: Didier Drogba will look to kick-start Chelsea's bid at retaining the title

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