Chelsea boss Mourinho counting on Ballack to turn up heat on Man Utd

Jose Mourinho grimaces before Chelsea's Premiership match against Bolton Wanderers. Mourinho is confident Michael Ballack -- who scored the only goal in Chelsea's 1-0 victory at Bolton -- will earn his huge salary as the champions turn the screw on Manchester United in the Premiership title battle.

Jose Mourinho is confident Michael Ballack, Chelsea's match-winner at Bolton, will earn his huge salary as the champions turn the screw on Manchester United in the Premiership title battle.

Mourinho was delighted to see Ballack head the winner at the Reebok stadium and he hailed the midfielder's performance as proof that he is ready to graft for the team, defying critics who say lacklustre performances for Chelsea to date show the Germany captain has passed his best.

"I am pleased with Ballack, not just because he scored the winning goal," Mourinho said.

"I am pleased with everything. It was crucial in this game to keep the ball, defend well and press high. I paired him with Claude Makelele and Ballack is a team player. His contribution was great."

The Chelsea manager insisted it is only a matter of time before his champions depose United at the top after a win that keeps them three points adrift of their main rivals in what is now a two-horse title race.

Mourinho admits he is unused to occupying second spot following a two-year domination of English football's top flight.

But the Portuguese is convinced his side will soon reclaim their 'rightful' place at the head of affairs following a valuable four-point haul from tough back-to-back trips to Old Trafford and the Reebok Stadium.

Bolton Wanderers' striker Nicolas Anelka (R) pulls away from Chelsea midfielder Geremi during their Premiership match at the Reebok Stadium. Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is confident Michael Ballack -- who scored the only goal in the 1-0 victory at Bolton -- will earn his huge salary as the champions turn the screw on Manchester United in the Premiership title battle.

Mourinho said: "We've come through two very difficult matches with positive results and I don't think it'll take us long to be back on top of the league.

"We fought for every ball. I have a team of fighters and we fought like heroes to win deservedly. I don't remember Bolton really getting into our box, the win was more than justice for us."

United travel to Stamford Bridge in April for a match which is already being billed as a title decider, and Mourinho added: "If you told me that when we play at home against them again the difference will be three points, I wouldn't be too unhappy. It would mean it was in our hands."

The Chelsea manager believes his side have had a tougher schedule to start the season than their Old Trafford rivals, who he claims will be frustrated at not opening a more handsome lead as a result.

He added: "We'd like to be top, we've got used to it in the last two years. I'm happy to be three points behind when I look at the fixtures we've had and those United have had so far. Now it's time to win matches consecutively and go top of the league.

"It's our time to turn things around. I always like to be in first place, but I'm happy in the current situation.

"United are a good team and their ambition is to stay at the top. But I think we showed our power in the second-half when we played them and with the very good run they're having they have to be frustrated with a three point lead because we're also doing well."

Chelsea's Frank Lampard watches a shot go wide against Bolton Wanderers during their Premiership match at the Reebok Stadium. Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is confident Michael Ballack -- who scored the only goal in the 1-0 victory at Bolton -- will earn his huge salary as the champions turn the screw on Manchester United in the Premiership title battle.

Chelsea - who Mourinho revealed will be without injured duo Joe Cole and Arjen Robben for around a fortnight due to minor knocks - sealed their fourth straight win at the Reebok Stadium thanks to Ballack's fourth goal of the season, headed home from Frank Lampard's corner in first-half stoppage time, to round off a man-of-the-match display from the impressive German international.

Bolton's intimidating home ground has already proved to be a graveyard for Liverpool and Arsenal's title hopes, but Chelsea proved must sterner opposition to increase the daylight between themselves and Sam Allardyce's side, who started the game just a place below them in third.

Italian keeper Carlo Cudicini ensured another Chelsea clean sheet with a fine display, and Allardyce said: "I thought the game would probably rest on set pieces and we had a difficult battle against a top side. Their quality of delivery and size told on us.

"They will always be difficult to play against but we did as best as we possibly could and with a little more fortune and quality we might have got something."