Football: Ballack keeps Blues in race.

Byline: KEN GAUNT

Bolton Wanderers 0

Chelsea 1

JOSE Mourinho believes Chelsea can crank up the pressure on Manchester United by going on a winning run, writes KEN GAUNT.

The Portuguese coach saw his side remain three points behind the leaders by beating Bolton 1 -0 at the Reebok Stadium last night.

Mourinho was delighted at the way they applied themselves following the draw at Old Trafford three days ago.

He said: "There could have been eight points difference between us now if we had not played well in these two games.

"We could have lost in Manchester and dropped points against Bolton if we were not focused. We played a brilliant first half in terms of the quality of our game tonight after a very good second half on Sunday.

"Of course we would like to be top of the league. We have got used to it the last two years.

"There is no doubt United have a good team and are very focused on the Premiership. They have that ambition.

"But I think we showed our power in second half at Manchester.

"With the very good run they are having they have to be frustrated to have a three-point lead."

Goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini made a good block from El- Hadji Diouf in stoppage time and Mourinho added: "We are doing well and today is a great example of our how well we are performing.

"I am happy to be in this position when I look at the fixtures we and Manchester United have had in first period of season.

"But now is time to win matches consecutively and go top of the league as soon as possible."

Without injured duo Joe Cole -he could be out for two to three weeks with a bruised foot - and Arjen Robben, Chelsea sealed victory with a Michael Ballack goal in first-half stoppage time.

He got on the end of Frank Lampard's corner to head home at the near post - though Bolton manager Sam Allardyce thought too much time had been added on.

He said: "It is very rare a referee will whistle for the break when a corner is given. He tends to wait when it is taken and blow after that.

"Perhaps we should have defended it better but I always thought the game would rest on set-pieces. That's exactly what happened. We had a difficult battle against a top quality side and that told us in the end." Meanwhile, Bolton chairman Phil Gartside has pledged his full support to Sam Allardyce after breaking his silence over the bung allegations made against the club's manager.

Panorama's Undercover: Football's Dirty Secrets claimed Allardyce and son Craig, until recently a football agent, were given illegal payments to facilitate player transfers.

Allardyce has vehemently denied any wrongdoing and the

Bolton manager retains Gartside's full backing.

Speaking for the first time about the allegations, Gartside said: "I have not doubted Sam. I know what the truth is. There is no evidence we have done anything wrong. When you see the tactics used, with hidden cameras, that is going beyond what you should do. That's what I object to.

"A person's reputation gets tarnished by something that is not true."

Match facts

BOLTON WANDERERS: Jaaskelainen' Hunt, Faye, Meite, Ben Haim, Nolan, Campo, Speed, Davies (Vaz Te 76), Anelka, Diouf. Subs (not used): Al Habsi, Giannakopoulos, Pedersen, Tal.

Booked: Campo, Faye, Nolan.

CHELSEA: Cudicini' Geremi, Carvalho, Terry, Ashley Cole, Essien, Makelele, Lampard, Ballack, Shevchenko (Kalou 77), Drogba (Mikel 90). Subs (not used): Hilario, Boulahrouz, Wright-Phillips.

Booked: Carvalho.

Goal: Ballack 45.

Attendance: 23,559.

Referee: Steve Bennett (Kent).

CAPTION(S):

WANDER BOY: Chelsea's Michael Ballack celebrates scoring against Bolton Wanderers with team-mate Didier Drogba.