Lampard double wraps up title for Chelsea

Chelsea's Frank Lampard (L) and captain John Terry salute the Chelsea fans after their 2-0 victory against Bolton, giving them the Premiereship title, at The Reebok Stadium, Bolton, United Kingdom.

Frank Lampard scored the goals that earned Chelsea a 2-0 victory at Bolton's Reebok Stadium, bringing with it their first top-flight championship in exactly 50 years.

For all the multi-millions spent by club owner Roman Abramovich, Chelsea's success this season - the League Cup, the Premiership title and a semi-final berth against Liverpool in the Champions' League semi-finals - has been founded largely on the form of midfielder Lampard and centre-half John Terry, two Englishmen.

Last weekend, Chelsea skipper Terry was named player-of-the-year by his fellow professionals of the PFA, but at the Reebok, Lampard showed that his contribution has been every bit as important, taking his tally of goals for the season to 18 - two ahead of his nearest Chelsea challenger, Didier Drogba, in the scoring charts.

But it was equally fitting, given their ability to generate headlines this season, Chelsea's victory did not come without an element of controversy, Bolton furious at the manner in which Lampard was allowed to score his first goal on the hour.

Chelsea's Didier Drogba (L) tries to keep the ball from Bolton's El Hadji Diouf and Tal Ben Haim (R) during their Premiership football match at The Reebok Stadium in Bolton. Chelsea won the match 2-0 and the English Premiership title.

A pass from former Bolton player Eidur Gudjohnsen found Lampard just inside the area and he skilfully worked his way past his marker Tal Ben Haim before slotting the ball superbly past Jussi Jaaskelainen.

But home players and supporters claimed that Jiri Jarosik had obstructed Fernando Hierro as he attempted to intercept the pass.

That opener inspired Bolton but their response was ultimately futile, with Lampard scoring a superb counter-attacking goal 16 minutes later.

It came from a Bolton corner which was cleared by Tiago, his pass being superbly collected by Claude Makelele who, in turn, freed Lampard with a perfectly-weighted pass.

Lampard ran nearly half the length of the field before switching from his right to left foot, tricking Jaaskelainen in the process, and driving the ball into the open goal.

The celebrations that the players and visiting fans had started after his first goal were now able to start in earnest as the countdown began to Chelsea's first title since 1955.

Chelsea's Frank Lampard celebrates after scoring against Bolton, during a Premiership match at The Reebok Stadium in Bolton. Chelsea won the match 2-0 and won the English Premiership title.

Prior to Lampard taking hold of the game, however, it had not appeared that it would be such an easy coast to the title.

Lampard tested Jaaskelainen early with a 25-yard shot that looped into the Finnish keeper's arms but that was a rare first half attack for Chelsea who soon came under bombardment from Bolton's skilful, fast and direct approach.

After three minutes, Jay Jay Okocha's long throw-in caused some uncertainty in the Chelsea area and Petr Cech had to move smartly to keep out Stelios Giannakopoulos's close-range shot.

Kevin Davies and Gary Speed had promising headers and Fernando Hierro, the former Real Madrid maestro revelling on the big stage, also threatened with three long-range shots, only one finding the target and providing Cech with a comfortable catch.

But the best chance of the half fell to Davies, from Bruno N'Gotty's 22nd minute free-kick, which the big target man, just six yards from goal, could only steer straight at the keeper with a weak header.

Chelsea's Frank Lampard (L) Bolton's Gary Speed fight for the ball in their Premiership match at The Reebok Stadium in Bolton. Chelsea won the match 2-0 and won the English Premiership title.

There was concern for Chelsea when Terry went down under an accidental elbow from Davies late in the first half, which left him needing treatment for three minutes, with half-time reports claiming that the defender could only see out of one eye.

Predictably, Terry emerged for the second half and played his part in the crucial victory, especially as Bolton threatened a fightback after Lampard's initial goal.

Cech made a key save in turning a header from his team mate Geremi behind as Kevin Nolan sent a long throw whistling into the six-yard box then Davies was again guilty of missing a glorious opening as Hierro's left-wing corner flashed between his feet at the far post without the striker being able to make contact.

It was the last chance of the game for Bolton - and the last title hope of the entire season for second-placed reigning champions Arsenal.