Sri Lanka Sports News | Online edition of Daily News

Table-topping Blues excite Ancelotti

Graham Chase

Carlo Ancelotti said he was thrilled by Chelsea's response to their early-season setbacks after a 4-0 win over Bolton Wanderers left them two points clear at the top of the Premier League table.

The Blues lost back to back away league games against Wigan and Aston Villa to raise doubts about whether they were genuine challengers for the title.

But they have responded to the 2-1 loss at Villa with four straight wins, including 17 goals and four clean sheets.

Ancelotti's team now have a trip to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League ahead of a crucial game against Premier League champions Manchester United.

And although Ancelotti insisted he was not looking beyond the game in Spain, he was pleased with the way the Londoners have bounced back in the league.

"It was our aim to stay top and we maintained the two points lead before this game and now we have to think about Atletico Madrid and prepare for a fantastic match against Manchester United," said Ancelotti after Chelsea made it eight goals in a matter of days against Bolton after a 4-0 midweek League Cup win. "Usually people think about the game against Manchester United but we have another important game during the week and we want to prepare well," the Italian manager explained.

"We have time to prepare for Manchester United but it's very easy to prepare for this game.

"It's a very important match but we have to maintain our concentration on the Champions League group at this moment."

Ancelotti added: "I think that we accepted the criticism before because we had self criticism and that's normal when you don't do well." Frank Lampard's penalty, after Jlloyd Samuel was sent-off for tripping Didier Drogba, sent Chelsea on their way here at the Reebok Stadium. Second-half goals from Deco, Zat Knight's own goal and Drogba gave Saturday's scoreline a comfortable feel.