切尔西提前三轮夺冠，可喜可贺

在英超第36轮的一场比赛中，凭借兰帕德在60分钟和72分钟的进球，切尔西客场2比0战胜博尔顿队，在第二名阿森纳还剩下四场比赛的情况下领先他们14分，从而提前夺得了本赛季的英超冠军。

Bolton Wanderers 0 Chelsea 2

Saturday, Apr 30, 2005

Frank Lampard’s two superbly taken second-half goals have brought the title to Stamford Bridge for the second time. Fifty years, 2050-odd games, one or two near misses, it has happened at last. Jose Mourinho’s brilliant squad are now immortals.

In a bright opening three minutes Lampard had a long range shot of no consequence, and Chelsea failed to clear an Okocha long throw allowing Stelios to turn and shoot from close range. Cech’s swoop and catch was of the highest authority.

A minute late Okocha was hurling two more long throws, and at the second Makelele jumped in front of him on the touchline. Referee Dunn got out the yellow card.

Bolton worked up a head of steam. In came the crosses. Cech left his line at every opportunity to punch rather than leave the aerial battle to his defenders. There were corners, tackles, collisions and more crosses. Speed got in a worthy header from a Candela cross but Cech held comfortably.

Chelsea didn’t look truly troubled and had one convincing spell of possession, but Cech had to come to the rescue again when Davies headed N’Gotty’s straight free-kick for the corner. A minute later it was Terry’s turn, flying across the area to block Diouf after the wide man had slipped past Carvalho and had bodies free in the area. Carvalho’s headed clearance from the corner made amends.

There’s little doubt that the first-half contained more headers than any other match this season. Never mind those statistics you get now of ‘ball in play’ — they’ll have to introduce ‘ball on ground’ from now on. Chelsea stayed strong and resolute. Bolton dictated style.

Stelios needed treatment for a head wound and then Terry for a facial one with Drogba furious that an elbow had been used by Davies in the challenge. Terry was left able to see only out of one eye. By half-time the ball was tired and battered and the players seemed ready for a drink and a rub.

The second-half started with the home crowd having a head of steam but Chelsea more possession. Hierro was booked for holding back Lampard after giving the ball away. Bolton got rattled. They conceded five fouls in the first nine minutes. Chelsea got rattled. Drogba was furious again when Hierro caught him on the thigh and ripped his shorts. Rereree Dunn didn’t give a foul. Drogba remonstrated after going down. The crowd went crazy.

Carvalho got away with a rustic challenge on Davies. Diouf was booked for fouling Gérémi. The crowd went crazier. After 14 minutes of the second-half Bolton had committed seven fouls. It didn’t matter. Lampard ran o n to Drogba’s flick, cut inside Candela and buried his 17th Chelsea goal of the season. The whole team celebrated on the ground in front of the Chelsea supporters. Lampard was now top scorer for the season.

By 17 minutes Bolton had committed nine second-half fouls. Lampard took the free-kick from wide of the area and Carvalho just failed to get his head on it with Bolton struggling.

They had to make changes. Nolan and Pedersen replaced Okocha and Stelios with 62 minutes gone. Three minutes later Huth was sent on for Drogba with the enraged home fans booing his slow walk-off.

Chelsea switched from the 4-4-2 with a midfield diamond to 5-4-1 with Gudjohnsen alone up front. Three minutes later Cech pulled off yet another ‘Save of the Season’ when Davies headed on Speed’s long throw from close range and the goalkeeper unbelievably flew to his right, shot out an arm and turned the ball round the post. He then crashed into it and needed treatment.

With 16 minutes left, nine minutes later, Lampard scored his magnificent second. Chelsea had successfully defended Bolton’s sixth corner, Cech magnificently punching, Gudjohnsen’s excellent ball found Makelele up front and from wide he released Lampard in the centre circle with Carvalho in support. Lampard used his as a decoy, dribbled round Jaaskelainen and planted his 18th goal of the season.

As Bolton laboured, Chelsea shored up, and after his introduction Joe Cole offered a couple of brilliant counter-attack cameos that might have opened up Allardyce’s rearguard again.

At the final whistle the players ran straight into a bouncing huddle in the centre, then over to the two tiers of fans. Shirts were removed and hurled into the stand, two-goal hero Lampard’s the most fiercely fought over.

The singing didn’t stop and the Blue heroes ran, slid along the grass towards the supporters just like 1997, celebrating wildly. At last the songs of champions could ring out. How wildly they were sung. How richly Mourinho’s men deserve it. It has been a magnificent campaign so far, and Tuesday’s date with destiny down the road will be given an extra boost as we still chase a previously undreamt-of treble.

Whether you were up in the stands, watching on the telly at home, listening on the radio abroad, watching the story unfold on your mobile is irrelevant. If you’re Chelsea, you were here today, and all share the glory.

For more photos from this game visit the Picture Gallery

To see this game again in full, tune in to Chelsea TV, or watch the highlights on Chelsea TV Online

by Neil Barnett