Chelsea

Will Faulks
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

It was 20 years ago today that Chelsea beat Bolton 2-0 to win their first league title in half a century.

The culmination of years of steady progress in the 1990s, taken to a new level two years before by the arrival of Roman Abramovich, was a season of total domination from the Blues under Jose Mourinho.

While the victory over Bolton will be remembered as the game that sealed it, it was more a day of celebration than anything else. Fans who had been watching Mourinho's winning machine sweep aside all in their path since August were not in any doubt at this point that the title was theirs. It was a question of when, not if.

In a season when the Blues kept an incredible 25 clean sheets and went more than 1,000 minutes without conceding at one point, they only needed a single goal in most games to get the job done. When Frank Lampard battled through the Bolton defence and drove the ball in after an hour, even the most pessimistic supporters were already celebrating.

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Lampard's second goal was the perfect way to seal it. The midfielder carried the ball from the halfway line with a clear run on goal, giving supporters around the world 10 exquisite, unforgettable seconds to watch their dreams coming true, moments that were burned into their memories forever.

There is no player in the club's 120 year history who they would have trusted more in that situation to calmly round the goalkeeper and put the ball into the net.

The contrast between that team and the current squad couldn't be greater. The defence and goalkeeper were rock solid, the midfield and attack full of quality and experience, and there was an iron bond already forged between Mourinho and the fans - one that persists to this day.

Each of those elements feel very distant now, and the combination of all of them almost unreachable.

But if that season taught us anything, it is that a winning team can come together very quickly - if you have the right ingredients.

Find more from Will Faulks at Chelsea News, external

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It is a moment that will live long in the memories of so many Chelsea fans.

Frank Lampard running through on goal to slot in his second of the day against Bolton and securing the Blues their first English top-flight title in 50 years.

Wednesday, 30 April marks 20-years since that historic moment for the club - in Jose Mourinho's first season as manager.

The west London side would go on to win another four Premier League trophies in the two decades that have followed, but there is nothing quite like the first.

So, what are your memories of that day? Where were you when the final whistle blew? Was it cheers or maybe tears?

Let us know

It is 20 years to the day since Chelsea won their first Premier League title - and first league title for 50 years - secured by a 2-0 win over Bolton Wanderers.

Frank Lampard struck twice in the second half as manager Jose Mourinho added the championship to the League Cup in his first season in charge.

Geremi started at right-back so William Gallas could play at left-back in the absence of the injured Wayne Bridge, while Jiri Jarosik played his only 90 minutes in the league for Chelsea before departing for Birmingham City on loan at the end of the season.

Arjen Robben and Damian Duff were both out, while Joe Cole came on as a late substitute for Eidur Gudjohnsen.

The spine of the team, however, of John Terry and Riccardo Carvalho in central defence, Lampard, Tiago and Claude Makelele in midfield and Gudjohnsen and Didier Drogba up front remained the same.

Sam Allardyce's Bolton offered an aerial assault on the Blues' record-breaking defence - notably the partnership of Terry and Carvalho - that conceded just 15 goals all season, but a fine goalkeeping performance from Petr Cech kept them at bay.

Lampard's opener on the hour mark - a trademark effort fired into the bottom corner - was controversial with Bolton claiming Jarosik had fouled Fernando Hierro in the build-up and Allardyce said post-match "the referee won them this game".

The clinching goal was a classic counter-attack with Lampard rounding Jussi Jaaskelainen to send the away fans in the Reebok Stadium into delirium.

Chelsea are interested in a summer move for Aston Villa and England forward Morgan Rogers, 22.

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Does Chelsea's Europa Conference League tie against Djurgardens represent the dysfunctional nature of European football?

Journalist Noa Bachner tells The Football News Show the Blues are "the complete opposite" of what Djurgardens represent.

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Will Faulks
Fan writer

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Another weekend brought another narrow victory for Enzo Maresca and Chelsea, who kept their Champions League hopes alive by squeezing past Everton 1-0.

It wasn't the sort of performance which will convince anyone that the Blues are about to sweep aside Liverpool, Newcastle, Manchester United and Nottingham Forest to power back into the Champions League, but it means three more points on the board and another chance to try and go up a gear before they take on Arne Slot's newly-crowned Premier League champions next weekend.

It was certainly a better performance than some others seen at Stamford Bridge recently, with more control and a better tempo from a team who have tended to start games agonisingly slowly. The latter stages saw Maresca's team sitting deep and holding on, however, something the manager blamed on the warm weather.

As well as the improved performance, there were individual positives to be pleased about too - Nicolas Jackson scored at last, potentially sparking him into some form, and Romeo Lavia returned from his latest injury to play well in midfield.

It still looks a tall order to get enough points from the remaining games to finish in the top five, but the combination of these two crucial wins in a row with the potential improvements brought by the return of important players certainly keeps hope alive - and keeps these final weeks intense and exciting.

The way that Liverpool swatted aside Tottenham on Sunday doesn't inspire confidence that Chelsea can do anything at Anfield - but playing them the week after they confirmed their title win can only be seen as a good thing, whether or not it does actually end up having an effect on their performance or commitment.

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Chelsea defender Aaron Anselmino has not played a single minute since joining the club in a £15.6m deal from Boca Juniors.

The 19-year-old's absence was explained as injury-related by manager Enzo Maresca in the build up to the 1-0 win at home to Everton.

However, sources with knowledge of the situation have elaborated that Chelsea are being cautious over a minor muscle issue, in the knowledge the Argentine youngster needs to build up his physicality for Premier League football.

Anselmino, who joined in January, has put on an extra few kilograms of muscle as he looks to adapt to English football.

Chelsea have always been calm about introducing Anselmino in his first six months, especially as he arrived with a significant hamstring problem.

They declined a deadline day offer from Marseille after deciding his development is better served training with high class players and acclimatising while learning English.

Anselmino could still make his debut for the club this season but has only twice been named on Maresca's bench and he has just a single appearance for the under-21s so far, away at Liverpool in February.

As for the summer, those close to him expect him to join partner club Strasbourg but no final decision has been made by Chelsea and he could yet feature in the Club World Cup in the United States in the summer.

Arsenal are considering a move for Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku, as Mikel Arteta looks to add more attacking options this summer. (Teamtalk), external

Chelsea are planning a move for 20-year-old Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens before the Club World Cup - and it is possible they could sell Jadon Sancho to the German club as part of the deal. Sancho is on loan at Stamford Bridge from Manchester United, but the Blues have an obligation to make the deal permanent. (Teamtalk), external

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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Chelsea and Everton at Stamford Bridge.

Here are some of your replies:

Chelsea fans

Baz: That was a more determined performance from the Blues. To hold on to a 1-0 lead for that long, and then fight through a determined last 20 minutes from Everton, was surprising. It has left me delighted. We look so much better when we thrust at opponents, rather than this slow build-up and possession style that is one poor pass and counter-attack away from catastrophe. The Premier League has few easy games but a win was a must. We need to show the same doggedness against better opposition and further raise our game. The Champions League remains a possibility.

Gary: Poor performance from Chelsea. They got a win but their ability in front of goal is appalling! We need a striker who can control the ball and bring other players into the game. Nicolas Jackson is not that player.

Paul: Like petulant children, Madueke and Jackson were an embarrassment to Chelsea football club in the second half. Sad days indeed.

Jak: Papering over the cracks - we just about saw off a strangely passive Everton team. Enzo Maresca is a fraud who is way out of his depth and is squandering the talent at his disposal. In a poor Premier League season, we should have coasted to at least fourth place, but we will ultimately miss out on Champions League qualification due to his ineptitude.

Everton fans

Dave: Unfortunately we are too slow in midfield to compete with the top teams. We employ wide men yet we continue to pass through the midfield and get pickpocketed every time. A major clearout is needed to begin the 2025-26 season at our new ground.

Chris: Sadly yet another mistake cost us the game. A draw would have been a fairer result, although that would have been our 15th of the season. They won the first half but we won the second half, even though we failed to score. Moyes has done well but we need to convert draws to wins and 1-0 losses to draws. We lack quality, and fighting spirit is not always enough. Let's go for maximum points from our last games.

Peter: Everton are on the beach, just as Moyes feared. The creativity, work rate, control and finishing have all gone on holiday. It was like an old Sean Dyche set-up.

Greg: Moyes persists with Abdoulaye Doucoure and Jack Harrison but neither give us anything. Carlos Alcaraz has to start and Dwight McNeil. Surely Moyes knows what he needs and, with the exception of Idrissa Gueye and Alcaraz, the rest of the out-of-contract or loan players can go.

Chelsea are pushing hard to seal the signing of Juventus forward Kenan Yildiz, 19, but face competition from Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City for the Turkey international. (Caught Offside, external)

Meanwhile Chelsea, Tottenham, Newcastle United, West Ham, Liverpool and Manchester United are all interested in signing Canada striker Jonathan David, 25, when his Lille contract expires in the summer - but Marseille are hoping to persuade the player to stay in France. (RMC Sport, via Get Football News France, external)

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Mark Chapman presents highlights and analysis from Saturday's five Premier League fixtures, which saw Ipswich Town's relegation from the top-flight confirmed.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to full match commentary from Newcastle United 3-0 Ipswich Town on BBC Sounds.

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Chelsea may have stumbled upon their best starting XI in their 1-0 win at home to Everton.

The crucial change was the addition of midfielder Romeo Lavia, as captain Reece James dropped to the bench, with Moises Caicedo moving to right-back but still stepping into the middle when Chelsea had possession.

Lavia was making his first start in over a month but he was excellent until he had to come off in the 67th minute, which seemed to coincide with a late push from David Moyes' side for an equaliser.

After the match, Enzo Maresca praised the midfielder: "When he is fit, he is one of the best midfielders. He can defend very well, he can attack, he can break the line and pass between the lines.

"I spent one entire season with Romeo when I was Under-23 coach at Manchester City, so I know him very well. For us, it was like Reece James. They are both top players.

"The only shame for us is that unfortunately we need to manage them. We need to protect them, but there is no doubt that Chelsea with Reece and Romeo is a better team."

Striker Nicolas Jackson's ended a 13-game goal drought with a powerful shot from the edge of the box in the 27th minute, which also seemed to lift his performance level.

However, Cole Palmer's similar goalless run now stands at 17 matches and his performance declined.

When asked about the pair after the match, Maresca defended Palmer by adding: "We said many times that we don't have doubt with the ones that, for part of the season, have struggled a little bit, like Nico and Cole and Robert [Sanchez].

"Nico finally found the goal today, hopefully Cole can score goals soon but I think his performance was very good."

But Palmer's statistics will be a cause for concern because he was involved in no attacking actions, apart from three crosses, two successful dribbles and a single touch in the opposition box.

Maresca had said before kick-off that the issue with Palmer was a "mental thing" rather than "tactical or technical".

Chelsea jumped up to fourth in the Premier League table and have Champions League qualification in their hands - albeit with a difficult run of fixtures against Liverpool, Newcastle United, Manchester United and Nottingham Forest to end the season.

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Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has been speaking to BBC Match of the Day about the vital win: "It is important to take things game-by-game and control the emotions. At the end of the season, we will see."

On not getting the second goal: "It has happened a lot this season, where we have not scored goals to kill the game. In the second half, we dropped a little bit but overall we deserved to win."

On Nicolas Jackson scoring his first goal since December: "He needs that. Cole [Palmer] needs that too - and I have no doubt Cole will do the same soon."

On goalkeeper Robert Sanchez: "He made big saves. He deserves the support from us and the club. We are here for Robert."

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Chelsea midfielder Romeo Lavia has been speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "I had a lot of fun being back in the team and helping to get a big win.

"Everton improved in the second half, but that is football. Everyone has their good times."

On Nicolas Jackson's goal being his first from outside the area: "He may not have done it in the Premier League, but I have seen him do it loads in training - so I'm not surprised. I'm really happy for him."

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea are now unbeaten across their last 30 Premier League games against Everton, since a 1-0 loss in November 1994 (W17 D13). It is the Blues' longest unbeaten streak at home against an opponent in their league history.

Nicolas Jackson's goal was the first Chelsea have scored in the first half of a Premier League game in seven outings, bringing an end to what was their longest first-half goal drought in the competition since February-March 2012.

It was also Jackson's first goal in 13 Premier League appearances, ending his longest drought in the competition.

Were you at Stamford Bridge or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Chelsea's performance

What did you make of Everton's display?

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

Five matches make up Saturday's Premier League action and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.

• Chelsea v Everton (12:30)

• Brighton v West Ham

• Newcastle v Ipswich - BBC Radio 5 Live commentary

• Southampton v Fulham

• Wolves v Leicester

All kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here