THEY made tediously hard work of it and were second- best for an hour, but Chelsea finally docked in Nirvana last night when two goals by Frank Lampard took the title to Stamford Bridge for the first time in 50 years.

Bolton were the better side for most of the match, but the team that Roman’s riches bought rewarded his largesse in the second half. It was not one of Chelsea’s better performances, but they can be forgiven any distraction, just three days before their Champions League semi-final second leg, and nobody should quibble with the outcome of a race that turned into a procession.

They have won the League with three games to spare, and there can be no gainsaying their pre-eminence in this, their centenary year. They huddled, then cavorted at the final whistle and, for all the talk of their financial advantages, it is only the curmudgeons who will begrudge them.

Jose Mourinho led the celebrations, taking his players to receive the acclaim of the blue-clad legions who had made the trip. To their credit, the home crowd joined in the applause, showing warm appreciation for the best team in the country. It was fitting that Lampard should be the hero of the hour after a marvellous personal contribution this season, highlighted by his 18 goals from midfield.

There may be more difficult places than the Reebok for champions-elect to visit in need of a win, but none springs readily to mind. Nevertheless, Chelsea’s followers had turned out in force. The official figure for the away contingent was given as 2,800, but it sounded like a lot more. They were in good voice at the end, although for what must have seemed like an eternity they had precious little to cheer.

Bolton have aspirations of their own, fuelled by the results returned by Liverpool and Everton earlier in the day, and it would be interesting to see what Europe made of them. Sam Allardyce has done remarkably well on a shoestring budget, but his style of play will never please the purist.

Fair’s fair, however, and Bolton were the better team on the day. The first news of note came well before the kick-off, when the teamsheet handed in by Mourinho suggested he had one eye, at least, on Tuesday’s decisive date with Liverpool. There was no place in the 16 for Arjen Robben and Damien Duff, neither of whom is 100% fit. Glen Johnson was also rested, and Joe Cole started on the bench. To the surprise of nobody, John Terry and Lampard would not hear of standing down.

Without their two wingers and Cole, Chelsea lacked width and pace, and therefore penetration, and struggled to get out of their own half in the first period. There was nobody to inconvenience a Bolton back four who were screened by a “front sweeper” in Fernando Hierro.

Chelsea had a scare in the first minute when Lampard set his sights with a shot from distance. It was easily saved, but he pulled up, temporarily lame. To the considerable relief of Mourinho and his men, the England midfielder was able to “run off” the problem. A more serious concern came later, when Terry sustained a cut eye in a clash of heads with Kevin Davies.

As is their wont, Bolton made an assertive start, and had the first proper chance, in the third minute, when a shot from Stelios Giannakopoulos, at close range, had Petr Cech stretching. As ever, they were dangerous at set-pieces, and the best goalkeeper in the country was called upon to prove his worth, particularly at corners.

When it came to open play, Gary Speed tested the Czech with a header and Hierro did likewise from improbable range. Bolton dominated the first half, and Terry was called on to make a last-ditch tackle to keep out El-Hadji Diouf.

It was the second half before Chelsea were able to fashion their first worthwhile goal attempt. With one eye closed, there was a doubt whether Terry would reappear for the second half. A doubt, that is, in everybody’s mind but his own. Needless to say Captain Courageous was there again, leading by inspirational example. The breakthrough came when Didier Drogba flick-headed the ball to Lampard, who stepped inside Vincent Candela before beating Jussi Jaaskelainen.

Bolton were close to equalising when Geremi demanded the save of the afternoon from his own goalkeeper. Chelsea were not finished, however, and from a Bolton corner they broke away for Lampard to wrap it up in the 76th minute. And so to Anfield. The title in the bag, Chelsea can focus on the European Cup. Only a Scouser would bet against them.

STAR MAN: Frank Lampard (Chelsea)

Player ratings. Bolton: Jaaskelainen 6, Candela 6 (Jaidi 78min,5), N’Gotty 7, Ben Haim 5, Gardner 6 (Nolan 63min,5), Hierro 7, Giannakopoulos 6 (Pedersen 63min,5), Okocha 6, Speed 6, Diouf 5, Davies 6

Chelsea: Cech 7, Geremi 6, Terry 7, Carvalho 6, Gallas 6, Tiago 5, Makelele 7 (Smertin 90min,5), Lampard 8, Jarosik 5, Gudjohnsen 6 (Cole 86min,5), Drogba 5 (Huth 66min,5)

Scorers: Chelsea: Lampard 60, 76

Referee: S Dunn

Attendance: 27,653

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