3 Oct 2011

Chelsea thump Bolton to keep pace with Manchester clubs

7:50 am on 3 October 2011

Frank Lampard scored a hat-trick as Chelsea reminded their Manchester title rivals that they also can score freely with a 5-1 thumping of bottom-of-the-table Bolton Wanderers in their Premier League football at Reebok Stadium.

Doubles apiece for Lampard and Daniel Sturridge, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Bolton, put the visitors four goals up with less than half an hour gone before Bolton pulled one back through Dedryck Boyata after the break.

Lampard, who scored in the 1-all Champions League draw at Valencia midweek, completed his treble in the 59th minute with a low, right-footed shot in a performance that will go a long way to silencing the critics who have questioned his future.

Chelsea climbed above Newcastle United to stand three points behind leaders Manchester United and City, with the champions ahead on goal difference.

The top two have 19 points from seven games.