Lampard’s tricks rout Bolton

Arsene Wenger’s side pulled level through Aaron Ramsey before the hosts snatched all three points on 73 minutes when defender Kyle Walker’s fierce shot swerved past Szczesny. Victory lifted Spurs to sixth in the table,four points behind third-placed Chelsea — who are three adrift of leaders Manchester United and Manchester City — while Arsenal continue to endure a horrible season,with Sunday’s loss being their fourth so far in the league.

Firing a warning

On a mild but gloomy afternoon at the Reebok Stadium,Chelsea took less than two minutes to get off the mark when Daniel Sturridge,who spent the second half of last season on loan at Bolton,rose above Gretar Steinsson to nod in a Lampard corner. The pair combined for the second goal on 15 minutes when Sturridge found Lampard with a neat pass across the goal that the midfielder swept in with his right foot past keeper Adam Bogdan,who was standing in for the injured Jussi Jaaskelainen.

Sturridge drove in the third on 25 minutes after cutting in from the right to unleash a left-foot shot that Bogdan should have held. Two minutes later Lampard added the fourth,scooping in the rebound after Bogdan could only parry David Luiz’s powerful shot.

Home fans applauded Sturridge before the game in recognition of the eight goals he notched in 12 Bolton appearances but did not celebrate either of his goals. Bolton came out from the break pumped up and immediately got on the scoresheet when Boyata jumped high to head in a Martin Petrov free kick,before spirits were crushed when Chelsea hit their fifth.

Lampard showed he still has a sharp finishing touch as he completed his hat-trick after a few weeks in which 33-year-old midfielder’s future has been under the spotlight.

There was also a treble for Andy Johnson as Fulham hammered Queens Park Rangers 6-0 and Swansea City beat Stoke City 2-0.