Chelsea given late fright

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Two goals from Didier Drogba, a Frank Lampard penalty and Michael Ballack's first league goal of the season put them in full control until Lampard and Drogba were substituted in the 65th minute.

After that Bolton scored three goals in 11 minutes through Andrew O'Brien, Chris Basham and Matt Taylor to give Chelsea an almighty scare.

The Blues clung on for three points though, and the result leaves them just four points behind leaders Manchester United, who have a game in hand at the top of the Barclays Premier League.

Bolton had chances and Taylor almost scored with an early free-kick, before Kevin Davies sent a 20-yard shot just wide. Taylor also headed over, with Petr Cech beaten.

Chelsea made them pay in the 40th minute when Salomon Kalou's low cross was fired into the roof of the net by Ballack.

Davies almost equalised when he sent a right-footed drive inches wide in stoppage-time, but Chelsea went two goals ahead in the 48th minute when Drogba converted Lampard's free-kick.

Lampard scored from the spot just before the hour after Gretar Steinsson handled, and Bolton fell 4-0 behind in the 63rd minute when Drogba scored from close range.

O'Brien took advantage of a fumble by Cech to score in the 69th minute before Bolton netted again five minutes later, with Basham getting on the end of a Davies header.

Bolton made it 4-3 when Taylor headed home a flick-on by Davies in the 78th minute, before Deco cleared off the line from Gary Cahill with virtually the last kick of the game.