CHELSEA boss Carlo Ancelotti felt that the club’s first league win in seven matches prevented them from slipping out of the race to retain their title.
The Blues ground out a 1-0 over Bolton on Wednesday to halt the club’s worst run since 1999 and close to within four points of leaders Manchester United.
“It was most important to change the atmosphere, to change the trend, to come back to win,” the Italian said. But, he did not suggest the result showed his side had turned the corner.
Ancelotti added after seeing Florent Malouda’s simple goal on 61 minutes settled the contest: “This was an important step.
“I’m not sure that everything now will be OK. We have to wait. We have to put on a performance again.”
The result eased the pressure on the 51-year-old manager following his team’s slump – seven weeks ago, they were five points clear at the top of the table.
But there were questions over whether Didier Drogba was offside when laying on the goal for Malouda.
“Bolton played well, they used a lot of power up front, they were dangerous,” Ancelotti continued.
“I was not worried (at halftime) because we knew that the game was not easy. We needed to fight on the long ball and I think that defensively we did very well to control ((Kevin) Davies and (Johan) Elmander.
“We lost some passes in the first half – we were a little bit afraid. But this was normal because there was a lot of pressure on this game. The second half was really better.
“The goal took the weight off our shoulders. I don’t know if it was offside and I’m not interested.”
Opposite number Owen Coyle was interested in the decision, believing his team were robbed of a potential point.
“We came to be positive in the game, believing that we could win the match,” Coyle commented.
“I think we controlled the game for periods, whilst accepting that Chelsea have world-class players.
“Regardless of people’s perception of their form, you know at times they’re always going to have spells in games.
“We looked as if we’d weathered any threat they had. Ultimately, we’ve been done with a huge decision that I believe was offside.” (BBC Sport)