Bolton Wanderers 0 Chelsea 4

CHELSEA have set themselves up for a week which can see them stamp their authority on Europe and the Barclays Premier League.

The brutal 4-0 destruction of 10-man Bolton – their seventh successive league victory at the Reebok – left nobody in any doubt about their credentials.

If they win away to Atletico Madrid tomorrow they will secure qualification from Champions League Group D with two matches to spare.

And they can then turn their attention to champions Manchester United’s visit to Stamford Bridge on Sunday, where they can put significant daylight between themselves and the rest at the top.

Didier Drogba scored his 10th goal of the season at Bolton while Nicolas Anelka terrorised his former club with a man-of-the-match display.

Bolton boss Gary Megson called him ‘‘cheap at £15million,’’ while Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti went out of his way to praise Anelka’s contribution.

Frank Lampard, who put the visitors in front from the penalty spot after Jlloyd Samuel was sent off for bringing down Drogba, said: ‘‘He (Anelka) has tremendous pace and balance, particularly when he runs at defenders.

‘‘We have two players who for me are the best at what they do in the world.

‘‘Nicolas gives Didier space, he is clever and drifts wide. It is a whole new problem for defenders to cope with. He floats around and Didier has the power.

‘‘Having Didier back (from his ban) in the Champions League this week will be great for us. It’s a big boost, he’s a top-class player in great form. Everyone would want him back and involved.

‘‘He’s neck and neck with Fernando Torres in the goals chart, but for me Didier is the best in the world because of his all-round game.

‘‘He does not always get the credit he deserves for his finishing, and that is different class.

‘‘He’s not just interested in scoring goals, although he does it very well. He wants to make goals, work hard for the team, head stuff out of his own box. That is the beauty of him.’’ Chelsea emphatically ended a run of two successive away defeats on what must be their favourite away ground.

Lampard said: ‘‘Year in year out I have enjoyed playing at Bolton, we win and I’ve scored. Some grounds do that for you and the Reebok is one of those for me.

‘‘It was important to end the run of away defeats because to win championships you cannot just be good at home.”