There were plenty of smiles at the Reebok as the Blues followed up the win in Valencia by recording a first league victory under Avram Grant.

An afternoon that began well with Frank Lampard returning to the side became even better when Salomon Kalou found the net as half-time approached. Against a struggling Bolton side who had their moments, mostly involving a troublesome Kevin Davies, that single strike was always likely to be enough.

We climb the table to sixth place and enter the international two-week break with spirits high.

Although there was the boost of Lampard back, Essien, available in Spain midweek, was again ruled out so with Mikel suspended, Sidwell was given another start in midfield.

Belletti and Ferreira continue to alternate under Grant, the new Brazilian chosen at right-back on this occasion while up front in a three-man attack, Salomon Kalou was the man selected to fill Drogba's boots.

The Ivorian planted a header on target from a Joe Cole cross as early as the first minute, held by Jaaskelainen.

Bolton responded with a Gardener run and cross from the left that needed some scrambled defending at the far post to prevent Davies from capitalising.

Then when the Bolton centre-forward escaped down the right and shot hard, Cech's fisted block fortuitously fell for a colleague to clear rather than a white shirt to fire back at the target.

Bolton, nominally playing 4-3-3, were withdrawing all but Anelka deep when Chelsea had possession, making the midfield a packed place to be.

From a deep position, Lampard unleashed his first shot of the game on 16 minutes, low but straight at the keeper and a minute later, Campo was booked for sliding in on Joe Cole in the centre-circle, the quick-footed Chelsea man having been dumped on the turf by an illegal Diouf challenge minutes earlier.

On 20 minutes came the best chance of the game so far, and it fell Chelsea's way. Joey O'Brien failed to cut out a Kalou pass but although he had time to set his sights, Malouda blasted off target.

Diouf became the game's second caution when he tripped the escaping Malouda who had outsmarted O'Brien.

Malouda did a lot better than his earlier effort on 27 minutes when his snap shot was palmed wide at the base of the post by Jaaskelainen.

Bolton matched Chelsea just a minuite later when Cech was forced to push a Campo shot round the post after Diouf had charged past Makelele and crossed. There was plenty going on to keep the Reebok crowd's attention.

It was Cech again to the rescue on 33 minutes, Anelka's shot catching his legs after Guthrie had intercepted a Lampard pass and sent the Frenchman away to slice through the Chelsea backline.

Seven minutes later, the Chelsea goalkeeper turned into an attacking weapon as the Blues made the breakthrough. His long punt upfield was headed on by Malouda and as Miete allowed Kalou to slip the wrong side of him, the Chelsea striker flicked the ball up and as it fell, rifled it into the net.

Scored at his side's favourite end of the stadium, it was the Ivorian's first league goal of the season.

Just before the break, the home fans were shouting loud, accusing Sidwell of handling as he midjudged a chest trap in the penalty area. Replays suggested they had a case.

There was a Chelsea switch at half-time and it was the goalscorer who came off, Pizarro Kalou's replacement.

Anelka had a heading chance in the first minute after the restart but under pressure, it lacked the power to trouble Cech.

On 53 minutes McCann made it three Bolton bookings to none for Chelsea with an ugly lunge at Lampard.

That moment did not hide the fact that Chelsea were enduring our toughest patch of the game. It needed Terry, Carvalho and co. to be at their blocking best to keep the white-shirted offensive at bay.

Chelsea broke out on 68 minutes for Joe Cole to fire a couple of yards over and then Carvalho became Chelsea's first caution for taking Anelka out from behind. Davies then followed into the book for a foul on Ashley Cole.

Shevchenko was introduced with just over quarter-of-an-hour to go in place of Malouda, a direct replacement wide left.

Bolton were presented with a free-kick chance right on the edge of the area in a central position when a Sidwell handball was spotted. To Chelsea supporter cheers, Anelka planted the chance high into the away end.

Chelsea had weathered the best Bolton had to throw at us and were looking the stronger as the game entered its final stages. Joe Cole shot at Jaaskelainen, his last impact on the game before being replaced by Ferreira with Belletti moving into midfield.

The closing minutes were seen out with just one more moment of concern, substitute Stelios heading onto the top of the crossbar after Anelka had chipped over a cross.

Chelsea had done enough. A fifth straight win had been achieved on what is fast becoming one of our happiest hunting grounds.

Chelsea Cech; Belletti, Carvalho, Terry (c), A Cole; Sidwell, Makelele, Lampard; J Cole (Ferreira 84) , Kalou (Pizarro h-t), Malouda (Shevchenko 73).
Scorer Kalou 40.
Booked Carvalho 68.

Bolton Jaaskelainen; J O'Brien (Stelios 84), A O'Brien, Meite, Gardner; McCann, Campo, Guthrie; Davies (c), Anelka, Diouf (Wilhelmsson 66).
Booked Campo 17, Diouf 24, McCann 53, Davies 72, Jaaskaleinen 90+3.

Watch the full 90 minutes of this win at midnight on Sunday on Chelsea TV. See the highlights on Chelsea TV Online at midnight.