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By Sam Lyon
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 Anelka's excellent opener was his 13th league goal of the campaign so far
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Nicolas Anelka returned to haunt his former club with the opener as Chelsea returned to winning ways in impressive fashion at the Reebok Stadium.
The Frenchman put Chelsea ahead when he headed home Jose Bosingwa's cross after nine minutes, and Deco wrapped up the points with a superb scissors-kick.
The Blues had chances for a third, but Bolton responded valiantly late on.
Gary Cahill wasted their best chance, though, as Chelsea set a new record of 11 straight top-flight away victories.
It surpassed the record set by Tottenham in 1960 and Chelsea will be encouraged by the omens as Spurs went on to win the league in the 1960-61 season.
And Luiz Felipe Scolari will know that if Chelsea can replicate their away form at Stamford Bridge they will be in with a shout come next May, for this was a fine win that keeps up the pressure on leaders Liverpool, who also won.
The hosts came into the match on the back of four wins in five matches but, with Chelsea unbeaten at Bolton since 1997, the Trotters could have done without Kevin Davies missing a header when unmarked from Gavin McCann's corner.
Minutes later and Chelsea were ahead, Bosingwa clipping a perfect cross into the area for Anelka to head in off the post on the dive to mark his first match against Bolton since his £15m departure with a goal.
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606: DEBATE
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And on 21 minutes, Deco showed the hosts how it is done in emphatic style, the Portuguese playmaker latching on to Michael Ballack's flick with a superb scissors-kick that flew into the corner.
Given the Blues' ruthlessness away from home, the second goal was the last thing Bolton needed. Chelsea were able to soak up pressure and hit the hosts on the break, with Deco guilty of a poor miss when he shot wide when through.
However, Bolton refused to give in and, to their credit, caused the odd moment of panic in the Chelsea box. John Terry twice appeared to handle the ball, but Howard Webb waved away the penalty appeals.
Cahill then missed the Trotters' best chance, diving well on to Davies' flick-on only for Cech to beat his header away from goal, and Bolton's last chance had gone.
It was a brave second-half display from the hosts but, ultimately, it was to no avail as Chelsea saw out their first win in three matches.
BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match: Chelsea's Nicolas Anelka 7.76 (on 90 minutes).
• Please note that you can still give the players marks out of 10 on BBC Sport's Player Rater after the match has finished.
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