Bolton were within minutes of their second successive victory after Henrik Pedersen had opened the scoring in the 64th minute.

Thirteen minutes later Celestine Babayaro was dismissed and Chelsea were left with a mountain to climb. But they refused to crumble and got their reward when Hasselbaink equalised on the stroke of full-time.

Bolton began brightly after beating Leeds last week and Paul Warhurst released Pedersen down the left but the move broke down when he delivered a poor cross.

The industrious Gianfranco Zola tried to release Eidur Gudjohnsen with a ball over the top but Warhurst was alert to the danger and conceded a corner. Zola took it and picked out William Gallas, only for Warhurst to again display his defensive qualities with a timely clearance.

Chelsea were beginning to pick up the pace and a driving run from Frank Lampard took him into the heart of the home defence. He released Gallas but goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen managed to scramble the ball clear.

Jaaskelainen was again called into action a minute later when a 20-yard shot from Gudjohnsen ended up in his arms. Bolton almost took the lead in the 25th minute when Per Frandsen whipped in a volley following a pass from Djorkaeff that Cudicini did well to turn around the post.

Bolton found themselves on the back foot when Babayaro picked out Gudjohnsen but Charlton managed to get a vital touch. The home side hit back and Jay-Jay Okocha spotted Pedersen at the back post
and delivered a precise cross.

The Danish striker, who scored twice against Leeds, miscued his shot, however, and the chance was lost.
Bolton were beginning to play some neat football with Djorkaeff at the heart of things. The former French international thumped in a 25-yard shot in the 38th minute but Cudicini was equal to it.

The Italian goalkeeper got across quickly to turn the ball away at the post. Chelsea found themselves pinned back but Jesper Gronkjaer got clear 30 yards out. However his finish was wasteful. Bolton boss Sam Allardyce made a switch at half-time, bringing on controversial Danish midfielder Stig Tofting for Frandsen.

Chelsea also made a change with Hasselbaink replacing the ineffective Jesper Gronkjaer. Zola was unhappy with a challenge by Warhurst which left him on the floor and clutching his head. However referee Mike Dean decided not to take any action against the Bolton defender.

Then Djorkaeff was left clutching his leg after Gallas won the ball and released Hasselbaink. He immediately cracked in a shot from the edge of the area that was smothered by Jaaskelainen.

Chelsea move forward again and Zola delivered a curling free-kick that was comfortably taken by the goalkeeper. Chelsea posed more of an attacking threat with Hasselbaink in the side and Jaaskelainen beat away his fierce drive from just inside the area.

The Finnish keeper then showed good reflexes to divert a shot from Mario Melchiot to safety at the near post after a cross from Graeme Le Saux. Bolton were suddenly under the cosh and Charlton hacked a shot from Desailly off the line.

They could have folded but Bolton re-grouped to take the lead after 64 minutes. Warhurst's superb chip from 25 yards was tipped over by the ever-alert Cudicini. Djorkaeff took the corner and Pedersen peeled away before sending a powerful header beyond the goalkeeper.

It was the first goal Chelsea had conceded in six league games and they could hardly believe it. Kevin Nolan almost added a second, only for Cudicini to turn away the shot with his out-stretched leg.

Tofting found space down the right for Bolton and sent in a deep cross that Pedersen latched onto in the 75th minute. However he couldn't get enough power or direction on his header and Chelsea breathed a sigh of relief.

Chelsea were reduced to 10 men in the 77th minute when Babayaro was dismissed for violent conduct for a challenge on Djorkaeff. Lampard strode forward three minutes from time but his 20-yard shot cleared the bar.