Chelsea Defeated Bolton Wanderers to Keep Title Hopes Alive

Chelsea 4-3 Bolton Wanderers

Chelsea kept their title hopes alive after surviving an incredible Bolton Wanderers fightback in a seven-goal thriller at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea were 4-0 in front and cruising to victory when coach Guus Hiddink replaced Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard in the 65th minute.

Two goals from Drogba, a Lampard penalty and Michael Ballack's first league goal of the season had put Chelsea in total command.

But battling Bolton scored three times in 11 minutes through Andy O'Brien, Chris Basham and Matt Taylor to give the Blues an almighty scare.

The result leaves Chelsea just four points behind leaders Manchester United at the top of the Barclays Premier League.

United also have a match in hand but Chelsea are determined to keep the pressure on Sir Alex Ferguson's team.

Bolton had the better of the opening exchanges with Chelsea looking a pale shadow of the side that demolished Liverpool in the Champions League in midweek.

The home side were almost caught out in the second minute when a free-kick from Taylor was palmed away by goalkeeper Petr Cech as it arrowed towards the top corner.

Chelsea's best response was a 20-yard drive by Drogba that Bolton goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen did well to keep out.

"I Will Give Everything for the Team" - Didier Drogba

Didier Drogba has vowed to return fighting fit for Chelsea - but only when he is ready."I had good feelings, but it is a bit early to say I am in good shape. It is really hard because this is the first time for many years I have been out for three months and it is really difficult to come back. I need time, but the good thing is the club understand I need time to be fit because they know when I am fit, I will give everything for the team." Drogba said.

The Ivory Coast striker, 30, has been sidelined with a knee problem which kept him out of the pre-season tour to Asia and Russia as well as the start of the new campaign.

Drogba continued his rehabilitation with a run-out for the reserves in the 3-2 win over Arsenal on Monday night, but maintains he will not rush back into action too soon.

Didier Drogba Is Set to Miss the Start of the Season

Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has revealed striker Didier Drogba is set to miss the start of the season. Drogba, 30, has spent the summer recuperating from a knee injury and will not be fit for the Premier League opener against Portsmouth on 17 August.

"Didier will not play in our first game and will probably miss the second against Wigan," said Scolari. "If there are no more problems he should be ready for the game after that, Tottenham on 31 August."

However, Scolari concedes that the nature of Drogba's injury makes it difficult to predict exactly when the Ivory Coast star will return to full fitness.

The Brazilian added: "When you have a knee injury, you just never know. "I have been getting a progress report from the doctor every day. "He's getting better and is working with a fitness coach back at the training ground. "I hope he will be ready to start training next week but he will not play until he is in good condition."

In the absence of Drogba, Chelsea will be relying heavily on Nicolas Anelka, who scored four goals in a 5-0 mauling of AC Milan on Sunday. Salomon Kalou is away at the Olympics and Scolari has hinted Andriy Shevchenko is not a contender to start the first game of the season.