Chelsea’s run of poor results, if not their indifferent form, came to an end when Florent Malouda’s goal just past the hour mark gave them a narrow win over an unlucky Bolton side.

After a tight first half during which Wanderers looked the likelier to break the deadlock, Didier Drogba nearly gave the Blues the lead on 49 minutes when he latched onto Frank Lampard’s through ball and fired a right-foot shot against the post.

The goal came from the same channel, Drogba beating Bolton’s disjointed offside trap before squaring the ball across the box for Florent Malouda, who had been offside in the build-up, to side-foot home.

Bolton Wanderers nearly levelled immediately, but Sam Ricketts, who played Drogba onside for the goal, blazed over from 12 yards after good work by Stuart Holden.

Holden was involved again moments later as Chelsea’s John Terry appeared to block the midfielder’s goalbound shot with his arm. And Holden’s header from Ricketts’ cross on 77 minutes was tipped over by Blues keeper Petr Cech.

Chelsea finished strongly, however. Michael Essien’s deflected 81^st-minute header was cleared off the line by Fabrice Muamba. And Bolton keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen made late saves from Ashley Cole and Malouda.