Chelsea wins 4-0 at Bolton in Premier League

Bolton (England): Didier Drogba scored a wonder goal Monday as Chelsea won 4-0 at Bolton, ensuring the defending champions win consecutive Premier League matches for the first time since October. Drogba unleashed a swerving 33-yard shot that dipped past goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen in the 11th minute at Reebok Stadium.

Teammate Florent Malouda side-footed home from a tight angle in the 41st, Nicolas Anelka’s left-footed drive found the net in the 56th and Ramires added his first Chelsea goal in the 74th minute. Chelsea, which beat Blackburn last week, has won back to back matches for the first time since defeating Wolves on Oct. 23 and then Blackburn seven days later, its last previous away win in the league.

Chelsea is still seven points behind leader Manchester United in fourth place, having played one match more. “Didier got us off to good start with probably the best goal of this season so far, and we worked really hard all over the park,” Chelsea captain John Terry said. “We stopped Bolton playing and it worked for us.”

Bolton dominated the early stages of a match that had been preceded by a minute’s silence for Bolton and England great Nat Lofthouse, who died earlier this month. Chelsea made the hosts pay for their early profligacy, however, after Malouda had won the ball from Gretar Steinsson. Malouda released Drogba into space, and the Ivory Coast forward caught the defense and ‘keeper out with a powerful drive for his ninth league goal and 10th in all competitions this season.

“I was in a good position, so I took my chance ,” Drogba said. “I had the confidence to try. You have to try if you want to score.”