Chelsea assistant boss Ray Wilkins paid tribute to Nicolas Anelka after he headed home his 15th goal of the season in Saturday's win at Bolton Wanderers.

"He has a coldness in front of goal," viewed Wilkins.

"When he is one on one, he is lethal, with his goal against Bolton a fabulous one.

"But he has been doing that all season. He has been absolutely top drawer, in particular with his work ethic.

"Not only is he now running beyond people as you saw, but he is holding the ball up extremely well for us.

"Without Didier (Drogba), that is what we have required from Nic, and he has taken up the mantle in a first-class way.

"Last season he was in and out, and it's difficult to get some sort of momentum going, so the run of games he has had this season has clearly helped.

"But then he has helped himself because his work ethic in training has also been outstanding.

"He has used all the abilities he has shown on the training field, taken them into the matches, and consequently he has become a better footballer."

Bolton manager Gary Megson, who had little choice but to accept the big-money offer for Anelka from Chelsea when they came calling, was appreciably critical of his defence for the way they allowed the 29 -year-old to score.

"I was not surprised Nic scored, not given the opportunity he had - I think any centre forward in the Premier League would have scored that," seethed Megson.

"It wasn't the best cross in the world, but we were way too deep, and if you give people like Nicolas that opportunity from six or seven yards then he is not going to miss too often."