Chelsea 4-0 Bolton Wanderers: Chelsea Stroll Into Quarter-Finals

By Alex Stamp

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Goals from Salomon Kalou, Florent Malouda, Deco and substitute Didier Drogba gave Chelsea a deserved 4-0 win over Bolton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge tonight.

Carlo Ancelotti named a second string for tonight's tie, with only Branislav Ivanovic, Juliano Belletti, Joe Cole and Michael Ballack surviving from Saturday's 5-0 win over Blackburn, while Daniel Sturridge makes his first start for Chelsea.

Meanwhile Bolton made four changes, with match-winner Ivan Klasnic starting in place of Kevin Davies, while Al Habsi, Mark Davies and Steinsson replaced Jaaskelainen, Cohen and Chung-Yong respectively.

With so many changes to each team, fluency was in short supply from both teams as they took time to settle into the match. But Ancelotti's team, packed with fringe first team players, were clearly a class above, as they underlined the depth of talent at Stamford Bridge.

It was two of these fringe players who combined, when Paulo Ferreira operating in an unfamiliar left back role, got forward and crossed for Salomon Kalou to head in from close range.

However their plans took a blow soon after when a Ricketts cross found Matt Taylor unmarked. But his effort was blocked by the onrushing Hilario, who suffered a head injury as a result, and was replaced by summer signing Ross Turnbull.

Yet their mood was cheered two minutes later when they doubled their advantage. Goal-scorer Salomon Kalou crossed from the left wing and Florent Malouda's first time effort was blocked by Zat Knight. But the Frenchman reacted quickest and smashed it past the helpless Al Habsi.

Chelsea were in complete control, with Bolton posing little threat and in the likes of Joe Cole and Michael Ballack, Chelsea had the game's outstanding players, while the strong central defensive partnership of Alex and Ivanovic had little to trouble them with Bolton wasting any opportunities to put the Chelsea defence under pressure.

Daniel Sturridge had a close range effort blocked, while Kalou curled an effort from inside the box narrowly wide. The Ivorian then came close to grabbing his second when he forced another save from the overworked Al Habsi who manage to claw out his shot.

The Ivorian was taken off at half-time as Ancelotti introduced Michael Essien, while Gary Megson brought on Johan Elmander as his side looked to halt Chelsea's dominance.

But if anything Chelsea looked hungrier, with Joe Cole, new boy Essien and Belletti all coming close within the first five minutes. While Mark Davies had a great opportunity to reduce the arrears but could only fire straight at Turnbull when well placed.

Yet Chelsea continued to carve Bolton up at will, with Joe Cole once more thriving at the head of their diamond midfield. Daniel Sturridge and Florent Malouda could have easily scored, before the Englishman was replaced by Didier Drogba.

The Ivorian then played his part in Chelsea's third. Joe Cole once more broke promisingly from midfield, and his cross was dummied by Drogba and found Deco in the penalty area. His low finish was unerring and extinguished any hopes Bolton had of getting back into the match, having threatened prior to the goal through Matt Taylor.

Chelsea were in easy street now, looking in total control as Bolton's attack appeared toothless and Ancelotti will certainly have been buoyed by the form of the returning Alex and Joe Cole.

Deco nearly completed the night with a wonderful first time volley from twenty yards which went narrowly over Al Habsi's crossbar before Ivan Klasnic nearly grabbed his second late goal in two games when he hit a post.

Then Chelsea finally made the win complete. Joe Cole, looking remarkably fresh this late into the match considering his lengthy lay off, popped on the right side.

His cross was measured to perfection, and found Didier Drogba who grabbed Chelsea's fourth and sealed a wonderful night for Carlo Ancelotti and his team.