Chelsea Snaps Winless Run, Posts 1-0 Win Over Bolton

As the second half commences, Ancelotti, with Chelsea’s dominance in possession, will be forced to make a tactical change in order to create better opportunities or this post-Christmas match is destined for 0-0 and as Owen Coyle’s Bolton have lost their last two matches away from home, the visitors just may settle for a point.

Chelsea will elicit groans in the 46th minute when they come out of the tunnel looking just as bas. As time goes on, Blues supporters will not only resign themselves to a draw, entertain the possibility of a loss, and start to get a grip on their club’s competitive mortality, they’ll start to focus on how the collapse affects their personal life. With Chelsea in a down year, maybe I can take those piano lessons. I’ve always wanted to paint! Maybe I’ll go see my old college roommate. It seems like it’s been years.

The press will spend the next two days dissecting everything that went wrong, telling us why Chelsea are still Dead Team Walking, their win being an aberration. Coyle’s boys deserved better, will be the refrain.

Mathematically, today’s not a must win, but it feels like it. They’re at home. They’re hosting a team that’s on lower tier than the title contenders. If Bolton gets three at Stamford Bridge, passes the Blues for fifth, Chelsea is done. They’d be seven points back with five teams to pass, but more importantly: Chelsea would be beyond winning must-win matches at hope against second tier competition, a line you never see on a championship resumé.

That match kicks off a 2:45 p.m. Eastern, one of three early afternoon fixtures. At the same time, Arsenal will kick-off at the DW against Wigan, a place they coughed-up a 2-0 lead last season, allowing three goals in the last 10 minutes to lose, 3-2. Those memories may see a more vigilant club take on a Latics side that’s undefeated in three, coming off an impressive weekend showing at the Molineux. Then, Wolves gave up two early goals to Wigan, eventually losing their six-pointer, 2-1.