Ancelotti in dreamland as Chelsea soar
CHELSEA (4) vs BOLTON (0)
CHELSEA boss Carlo Ancelotti demanded his side continue their good work after seeing them destroy Bolton to cruise into the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup.
First-half goals from Salomon Kalou and Florent Malouda put the home side in charge before Deco and substitute Didier Drogba completed the rout after the break.
The Blues have made a flying start under their Italian manager in all competitions, winning nine successive matches at home, and the former AC Milan coach is determined to make the most of the feel good factor currently resonating through Stamford Bridge.
“We’re happy because it’s a good time for us. We want to maintain this form in the coming games. It’s a good moment,” he said.
“The team are working very well, maintaining good control defensively and offensively. This is the most important thing for the team, to have a balance.”
The in-form Kalou opened the scoring in the 15th minute and once Matthew Taylor missed a golden opportunity to equalise, the Premier League leaders made the visitors pay.
On the back of his brace against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League last week, the Ivory Coast star was left unmarked to head home Paulo Ferreira’s cross.
And despite losing goalkeeper Hilario to injury, Chelsea turned the screw with Malouda, benefiting from a Zat Knight deflection, tucking in a second.
Deco sealed the win with a crisp low strike after finding acres of space in the box before Drogba came off the bench to pour further salt into Bolton’s wounds – rising highest to put away Joe Cole’s pinpoint cross.
And with Chelsea scoring goals for fun, Ancelotti is in dreamland. He added: “My dream at the start of the season was to field a team that plays good football and gives enjoyment to the fans.”