Bolton Wanderers 0 Chelsea 2

Chelsea Maintain Away Tonic (Sky Sports)

Chelsea's fine away form continued after a convincing 2-0 win against Bolton at the Reebok on Saturday.

Luiz Felipe Scolari's team showed they remain serious title contenders after first-half goals by former Wanderers striker Nicholas Anelka and Portugal's Deco kept them within one point of leaders Liverpool.

It was a performance to silence the critics after last Sunday's defeat to Arsenal as Chelsea set a new record for 11 consecutive away wins in the English top-flight - eclipsing Tottenham's previous total of 10 set in 1960.

Chelsea had arrived at the Reebok with their title credentials being questioned for the first time this season, having won just twice in seven league and cup outings.

The damaging run had seen them concede pole position in the Premier League table yet Scolari's side responded with an impressive performance after Kevin Davies had spurned a glorious chance to give Bolton the lead.

Chance

Davies has enjoyed a good goal ratio against London opposition this season - three of his four have been against clubs from the capital - and the 31-year-old forward was presented with an opportunity to add to his tally following Gavin McCann's eighth minute corner.

After out-jumping his marker Alex, you would have put your house (even in the current financial crisis) on the striker to score, but Davies somehow directed his header narrowly over the bar.

Bolton had moved into the top half of the table after winning three of their previous four games, but they were dead and buried inside the opening 21 minutes as they found themselves trailing 2-0.

It was inevitable that Anelka would make his mark, having left the Reebok in January as the Premier League's leading scorer.

The 29-year-old Frenchman demonstrated why he is currently top of the scoring charts after connecting with full-back Jose Bosingwa's pin-point cross in the ninth minute to score his 99th Premier League goal.

At this stage Chelsea continued to make life hard for themselves when what should have been a routine clearance by Petr Cech fell straight at the feet of Kevin Nolan, but the Bolton captain returned a tame effort straight back into the arms of Chelsea's Czech keeper.

Dominance

Chelsea doubled their advantage through Deco's stunning volley after Salomon Kalou's weak effort had been kept out by Jussi Jaaskelainen.

It was Deco's first goal since his spectacular free-kick sunk Wigan in August yet this finish was just as pleasing on the eye after Michael Ballack teed up his fellow midfielder with a cushion header.

Chelsea ought to have punished Bolton again when Jaaskelainen spilled an in-swinging free-kick by Frank Lampard. The ball fell to Anelka but this time he failed to find the target.

Deco should have made it 3-0 when clean through with only the keeper to beat before John Terry shot straight at Jaaskelainen after good work by Anelka.

Bolton had a 60th minute penalty appeal turned down after Johan Elamander's effort struck Chelsea captain Terry while Cech produced the save-of-the-match to keep out a close range header by defender Gary Cahill.

But Chelsea continued to create chances of their own, Bosingwa blazing over after a powerful run, when a pass to the unmarked Anelka would have capped a fine performance ahead of Tuesday's Champions League home game with CFR Cluj.

Chelsea's eighth away win of the current campaign ensures their 100% record on the road remains intact, while Bolton remain in the top half despite slipping to 10th.

Bolton Wanderers	Team Statistics	Chelsea
0	Goals	2
0	1st Half Goals	2
4	Shots on Target	5
12	Shots off Target	4
6	Blocked Shots	2
10	Corners	2
14	Fouls	16
2	Offsides	6
2	Yellow Cards	1
0	Red Cards	0
61.7	Passing Success	74
22	Tackles	15
86.4	Tackles Success	66.7
40.6	Possession	59.4
59.3	Territorial Advantage	40.7

Teams

Bolton Wanderers Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Cahill, A. O’Brien, Samuel (Smolarek 81), Muamba (Gardner 45), Davies, Nolan, McCann, Taylor, Elmander
Subs Not Used Al Habsi, Shittu, Basham, Riga, Obadeyi
Booked Davies, A. O’Brien
Goals

Chelsea Cech, Bosingwa (Ivonovic 90), Alex, Terry, A. Cole, Mikel, Kalou (Ferreira 84), Ballack, Lampard, Deco, Anelka
Subs Not Used Cudicini, Mineiro, Woods, Sinclair, Stoch
Booked Ballack
Goals Anelka 9, Deco 21

Attendance 22,023

Referee H. Webb