And Chelsea powered into the lead when Lampard drove the ball home after Drogba had the presence of mind to produce a clever backheel as he was swarmed by defenders. Bolton's misery was then compounded when Gardner was red-carded for handball and Lampard scored from the subsequent free-kick. Drogba converted Lampard's corner with a well-timed near-post strike for his second and Chelsea were proving irresistible. Gudjohnsen's goal only served to cap an emphatic comeback for the Premiership leaders. Final score Chelsea 5-1 Bolton.
Meanwhile Man United travelled away to Sunderland and left with all three points in the bag after a very convincing performance. In the first half Sunderland looked the better side putting alot of pressure on United but United proved how good they were at turnning defence into attack when Van Nistelrooy flicked John O'Shea's pass onto Ji-Sung Park, who in turn squared for Rooney to close in on goal. After rounding Davis, the United striker scored from a tight angle with a shot that Justin Hoyte just failed to stop with a desperate goal-line slide.
Sunderland came out for the second half with real intent but, despite all their endeavour, had Davis to thank for keeping them in the game. Van Nistelrooy seemed certain to convert Rooney's drilled cross before Davis deflected the ball out of his path. But Van Nistelrooy sealed victory, shooting across and beyond Davis after Rooney had played him in. Irish striker Stephen Elliott ensured a dramatic finish with a brilliant strike past Van der Sar - and United's keeper had to make a brilliant last-gasp save to prevent Le Tallec from equalising with a free-kick. United made sure of victory when substitute Rossi - an American striker who has previously played for Parma - found the back of the net. Final score Sunderland 1-3 Man United.
Very convincing wins for both Man United and Chelsea today. Chelsea have now opened up a 10 point gap on United although United do have a game in hand, and with Arsenal losing today, few would bet against Chelsea winning the title for the second year running. Bolton must be sick tonight after getting of to a great start they had to go and blow it all. Altough Sunderland lost today they actually didn't play that bad and I think 3-1 quite flaterred United. The win for United lifts them to third whilst the defeat for Sunderland puts them back in the relagation zone. The win for Chelsea keeps them at the top whilst the defeat for Bolton leaves them in seventh place in the Barclays Premiership table.
