Source: Team_Talk
Wolves well beaten by brilliant Blues
The Blues were three goals to the good inside the first 22 minutes through Florent Malouda and a double from Michael Essien.[LNB]Joe Cole's first goal for 13 months completed the rout in the second half as Chelsea set a new club record for home wins and kept Wolves entrenched in the bottom three.[LNB]The victory over Wolves was their 12th in a row in all competitions at home - the previous record was 11 between February 25 and September 17, 2006.[LNB]The clean sheet also saw them equal their record of 10 consecutive games without conceding at home.[LNB]But the Blues could have gone behind in the fourth minute when a fine Wolves move saw Matthew Jarvis break free on the right.[LNB]However, his cross just eluded David Edwards as he arrived in the six-yard box.[LNB]Wolves paid a heavy price for the miss a minute later as Malouda collected a poor Wolves header inside the centre-circle and ran on unchallenged to unleash a 20-yard shot into the roof of the net.[LNB]Another sweet Chelsea move in the 11th minute almost brought them a second goal but Wolves goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey tipped Salomon Kalou's 20-yard angled drive around the post.[LNB]However, the relief for Wolves was shortlived as from Malouda's resultant flag-kick, Essien rose unmarked to head home from six yards.[LNB]Chelsea made it three in the 22nd minute when John Mikel Obi fed Essien with a short pass on the edge of the penalty area and the Ghanaian's low drive went under Hennessey for his second of the game.[LNB]The home side were determined to record their 1000th league win at Stamford Bridge as well as complete a year since their last defeat at home.[LNB]Wolves manager Mick McCarthy had spent much of the half shaking his head in disbelief at his side's reckless defending.[LNB]But in the 39th minute Wolves almost conjured a goal out of nothing when a header from Sylvan Ebanks-Blake was superbly kept out by Petr Cech.[LNB]Chelsea's performance had been even more admirable without the likes of injured quartet Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba, Deco and Michael Ballack.[LNB]Their quick, incisive passing game was too much for Wolves who spent much of the half chasing shadows.[LNB]Chelsea continued where they left off in the second-half and a superb crossfield pass by Nicolas Anelka found Malouda free on the left.[LNB]However, the France international slipped at the vital moment and saw his shot saved by Hennessey.[LNB]The Wolves keeper was in action again in the 52nd minute when he held on to a shot from Alex as Chelsea threatened to increase their advantage.[LNB]But Chelsea did make it four in the 56th minute and it was a welcome strike for the fit again Joe Cole.[LNB]The England midfielder, out for 10 months since January, side-footed the ball beyond Hennessey after Anelka's cross had been turned into his path by Kalou.[LNB]It was Cole's first goal for the Blues since the win over Aston Villa back in October 2008.[LNB]Moments later Anelka made way for substitute Gael Kakuta to make his first-team debut.[LNB]In September, Chelsea were found guilty by FIFA of inducing Kakuta to breach his contract with Lens two years ago and punished them with a transfer ban until 2011, while suspending the player for four months.[LNB]But the Court of Arbitration for Sport suspended the bans until Chelsea's case is heard in full and that allowed Kakuta to make his debut.[LNB]Essien almost claimed a hat-trick in the 63rd minute but his shot was palmed onto the top of the bar by Hennessey.[LNB]Kakuta almost celebrated his debut with a goal 10 minutes from time but his 25-yard effort curled the wrong side of the upright.[LNB]Essien then sent a 20-yard drive just wide of the post as a hat-trick continued to elude him.[LNB][LNB]
