Blues slipped dangerously towards the relegation zone as they handed Bolton Wanderers a pre-Christmas present of three Premier League points at the Reebok Stadium this afternoon.

In a game that neither side dared lose, defences were very much on top in a drab first half.

After the interval, Kevin Nolan had a goal disallowed before El-Hadji Diouf took advantage of Stephen Kelly's defensive slip to put Wanderers in front.

A calamitous mix-up between Johan Djourou and Maik Taylor gifted Wanderers a second with ten minutes left to effectively end the contest, before Anelka added a third in injury time to compound Blues' misery.

Alex McLeish made two changes in personnel from the side which had performed well to claim a point at home to Reading last Saturday.

Captain Liam Ridgwell was suspended and was replaced at the heart of Blues defence by fit-again Johan Djourou, whilst Mikael Forssell was left out with Radhi Jaidi coming in for his first Premiership start of the season as McLeish reverted to Cameron Jerome alone up front.

It was Bolton who got the game underway, with Blues in a bizarre combination of blue and white shirts, with red shorts and red socks, backed by a small but vociferous band of support.

Blues were under pressure as early as the first minute, as Jaidi conceded a free kick 25 yards from goal for a foul, and from the free kick, Campo forced Taylor into a smart save low to his left.

Taylor was again called into action in the sixth minute as he palmed Anelka's fierce shot to safety.

Moments later, Rafael Schmitz produced a brilliantly-timed tackle on Anelka as he bore down on Blues goal again with the visitors very much on the back foot in the first ten minutes.

At the other end, Blues finally produced an attacking move, with Damien Johnson forcing a corner which Djourou headed wide.

Blues had begun to settle down and enjoyed their best period to date, playing some decent football as the midpoint of the first half approached, without seriously troubling Jussi Jaskelainen in the Bolton goal.

On the half hour, the home side came close to taking the lead. Indecision in Blues' defence allowed Nolan to hit a shot on the turn from eight yards which flew inches past the post and into the side netting.

It was a clear warning to Blues who had begun to retreat again. Blues broke quickly with their best move of the match so far, as McSheffrey and Larsson combined to free Jerome whose fine run was not matched by the quality of his final attempt on goal.
Soon after, Blues produced another fine move, Muamba sending Larsson scampering away on the left.

Larsson's low cross was perfect and was just waiting for Jerome to apply the finishing touch until Gardner appeared from nowhere to concede a corner at the last second.

After 37 minutes, Hunt became the first player in referee Foy's book for a late tackle on McSheffrey.

Shortly after, the home side had appeals for a penalty waved away as Schmitz appeared to use an arm to control the ball inside his area.

As half time approached, defences were clearly on top as neither side showed the invention required to break the deadlock.

Half Time: Bolton Wanderers 0 Blues 0

McLeish made a half time change, with Kapo replacing Mathew Sadler. Kelly switched to play left back, with Johan Djourou filling in at right back as Blues re-shuffled their defence.

The first chance of the second half came after 49 minutes. Jerome was fouled on the right and McSheffrey whipped in a dangerous free kick. Campo stooped to head clear but only succeeded in flicking the ball towards his own goal, forcing Jaskelainen into a fine save low down.

Soon after, Kelly won Blues a free kick just outside the Bolton area having been brought down by Davies. Larsson took the kick, but failed to trouble the home keeper with a tame effort.

Just before the hour, Gary Megson made his first change, with Ivan Campo being replaced by ex-Villa man Gavin McCann.

Jaidi, on his return to Bolton became the second player to be cautioned for pulling Diouf's shirt.

From the free kick, Guthrie found Nolan who scored from three yards, only to be ruled out by a linesman's flag, who believed Davies had flicked Guthrie's free kick on to the Wanderer's hitman.

Replays showed that Davies had not got a touch to the free kick and the goal should have been allowed - a real let-off for Blues.

As Bolton's frustration grew, Gardner fouled Jerome and was booked. Blues failed to capitalise on the free kick as the game began to heat up at last.

With just less than 20 minutes remaining, the home side scored the goal they had been threatening.

Anelka's cross took a deflection, Kelly failed to deal with the situation and Diouf calmly sidestepped the Blues defender on the ground and rolled the ball beyond Taylor from no more than eight yards.

Blues were in need of inspiration to get back into the game, and Alex McLeish turned to Garry O'Connor, replacing Gary McSheffrey with just over quarter of an hour remaining.

With 12 minutes remaining, Blues fell further behind in bizarre circumstances.

Djourou prepared to take a throw-in level with this own penalty area and threw the ball towards keeper Taylor.

The throw-in fell short of Taylor, and Nicklas Anelka nipped in to score possibly the easiet goal of his career. Soon after, Davies was replaced by Samuel.

Blues were close to pulling one back as the game entered the final ten miutes, as Kapo rounded the keeper only to be forced wide and see his left foot shot cleared.

As the game approached the final couple of minutes, Damian Johnson was booked for a foul on Gardner.

In the second minute of additional time, Nolan slipped the ball through to Anelka who easily beat Taylor to add a third for the home side.

Full Time: Bolton Wanderers 3 Blues 0

Bolton Wanderers: Jaskelainen, Hunt, Meite, O'Brien, Gardner, Nolan, Campo (McCann 59), Guthrie, Davies(Samuel 80), Anelka, Diouf.
Subs (not used): Al Habsi, Speed, Stelios
Bookings: Hunt 37, Gardner 68
Goals: Diouf 72, Anelka, 78, 90+3

Blues: Taylor, Kelly, Jaidi, Schmitz, Sadler (Kapo 46), Larsson, Muamba, Johnson, Djourou, McSheffrey (O'Connor 74), Jerome.
Subs (not used): Doyle, Forssell, Nafti
Bookings: Jaidi 65, Johnson 88

Attendance: 19,111