Starting top of the table against champions Manchester United next weekend is more important to Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti than the manner of their victory over Bolton.
Chelsea hammered 10-man Wanderers 4-0 at the Reebok stadium to secure that position at the top, four days after beating Bolton by the same score in the Carling Cup at Stamford Bridge.
Ancelotti said: "It was our aim to make sure that we were still top of the league when we play Manchester United next week. We can now play Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday with confidence and prepare for a really great match against United."
A Frank Lampard penalty in first-half injury time set Chelsea on their way, with further efforts from Deco, Didier Drogba and a Zat Knight own goal convincingly settled the issue.
Ancelotti's team have now won 14 of their 16 games this season in Europe, the Carling Cup and Premier League.
He added: "We accepted the criticism after losing our last two away league games at Wigan and Aston Villa, and we have responded very well.
"It was important to improve after not doing well. After the Villa game we have certainly improved and we are still top of the league."
Ancelotti's team were never under any real threat, despite a spirited Bolton display. He said: "I feel we are doing very well at the moment, this was a good performance.
"It was difficult in the first-half, Bolton were very strong and fought hard against our midfield. After the penalty we maintained our concentration in the second-half and won a very important match.
"We have Manchester United now next in the league, but we have an important Champions League game with Atletico Madrid first, and that is our first priority."
Comment 1 - 12 of 12
Im a Chelsea fan for over twelve years now but appreciate good football.I have always criticised our team when they dont play well but from what I see recently,Man U cannot withstand Chelsea cos they are not strong this season after the departures of Rolando and Tevez and so far their absence has always been felt...while Chelsea have consolidated with arrival of solid coach and retention of all the key players.his year is for us and deservedly too.
I am a MAN U fan and i am afraid to say that chelsea will win on sunday, utd look short upfront and need someone with sum creative force!! VILLA AND SILVA IN JANUARY!!!!
michael - point out liverpool on a map you bin-dipper!
man.united and chelsea game will be tough but at the end is going to be draw,either 1-1 or 0-0,both of them will be cautious of themself in the first half,secound half will be a diff.ball game for both of them,chelsea should be careful towards the end of the game if not man.united will score them.
How can you doubt about Chealsea Man U match? To be honest, Chelsea will win by a large margin this season.
Man UTd will score first and chelsea will equalize as usual! draw all the way!!! these games are so predictable!
20000-0 UNITED! EVERY GOAL OWEN!
liverpool fan michael , whats it like for liverpool fans to think they affected the result at sunderland by throwing a beach ball on the pitch, just a lot of bitter fans after manchester united have drawn level on 18 titles each the only reason you want chelsea or arsenal to win is because it will really stick in your throat when manchester united go ahead on titles won, THIS YEAR.
STRETFORD ENDER
As a Liverpool fan and know the title is fading our way,we will want Chelse or Arsenal to title it this year.We furnished that by beating ManU to pave Chelsea or Arsenal's way.So right on the blues and gunners.
its next week and we are waiting. Man U knows how to score late goals and we are not found wanting in that area too...we aim higher than Man U.
agree
should be an interesting game next week manchester are always worthy opponents although i believe they seem more vunerable this season ..... there again chelsea have had a couple of blips ...tough game to call ... i think whoever scores first wil win this game
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