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CHELSEA
Petr Cech - 6 - Had little to do all game. Is
starting to get used to such easy shifts at Stamford Bridge — the
Blues haven't conceded at home in the last nine hours.
Ashley Cole - 6.5 - Surprisingly subdued in such a
one-sided performance. Was sometimes pegged back as Wolves tried to
exploit wide areas, but got forward where possible to support his
team-mates.
John Terry - 6.5 - Was not asked to exert himself
too much. Dealt well defensively with Wolves' rare forays forward,
and will be pleased to keep yet another home clean sheet. Made one
good goal-line clearance.
Alex - 7 - A perfect return to the starting
line-up in the Premier League for the Brazilian, who coped easily
with Ebanks-Blake all game, and did well against the trickery of
Jarvis. Encouraging for Ancelotti.
Juliano Belletti - 6 - Was guilty of some slack
defending, but nothing the away side were able to take advantage
of. A solid performance, but he doesn't look a long-term starting
option at right-back.
John Obi Mikel - 6.5 - Didn't offer too much to
convince Ancelotti he is the long-term solution at the base of the
diamond. A solid display, but perhaps wasn't tested enough to
really excel.
Michael Essien - 9 - Nodded home with a free
header from a corner to secure the game for the Blues inside 15
minutes. In the absence of Frank Lampard and Michael Ballack the
Ghanaian was released further forward, to great effect all game.
Very unlucky to be denied a memorable hat-trick.
Florent Malouda - 7.5 - Sublime early strike
quickly silenced the visitors after they had enjoyed a lively
start. Provided corner for Essien's goal in very good all-round
performance. If the Frenchman only contributed more defensively he
would be very hard to ever leave out the first XI.
Joe Cole - 6.5 - Not a game where the
Englishman's trickery was really needed, which was fortunate as
Cole came up with few moments of individual brilliance. Solid, but
unspectacular despite adding his side's fourth goal.
Nicolas Anelka - 7 - Led the line
fantastically as always. Movement was impeccable, and his vision
allowed those around him to prosper. Sacrificed his own
goal-scoring threat to provide the space and time for others.
Salomon Kalou - 6.5 - A generally lively
performance from the Ivorian, something he has not always given in
other starting opportunities this season. Had a number of good
chances, but still has a tendency to choose the wrong option.
Substitutes
Gael Kakuta - 7 - Replaced Nicolas Anelka to
rapturous applause from the Stamford Bridge faithful, who quickly
realised what a special talent the young Frenchman is. An extremely
promising 30-minute cameo, in which he showed class in all areas of
the game.
Nemanja Matic - 6 - Given first-team chance in
place of Malouda. Took time to find feet but looked very
comfortable in possession and certainly was not out of his
depth.
Fabio Borini - 6 - Ancelotti has great faith in
his young compatriot, and while his strength is understandably
questionable, his intelligent runs set him apart as a potential
star.
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
Wayne Hennessey - 5 - Will be disappointed with
the way both Joe Cole's goal and Essien's second strike slipped
under his body, but was let down badly by his defence for Chelsea's
other two goals. Made many solid saves.
Greg Halford - 5.5 - Questionable at times
defensively, but that was almost inevitable considering the
constant demands put on him by the Chelsea onslaught. Will not be
too disheartened with his individual efforts.
Jody Craddock - 5.5 - Gave ball away for Chelsea's
opener, and magnified initial error as he failed to close Malouda
down. After that it was always a damage-limitation exercise.
Christophe Berra - 5.5 - Powerful defender
struggled valiantly throughout the game, but his lack of real top
quality was exposed time and again by the Blues. Will be happy to
forget this afternoon.
Richard Stearman - 6.5 - Wolves' early collapse
forced Mick McCarthy to change things tactically, giving the former
Leicester City man license to roam forward. This he did admirably,
causing some consternation among the home side. Still, was poor in
his main duty as a defender.
Andrew Surman - 6 - Given a difficult task as a
wing-back by his manager, the former Southampton star had his
moments in the game but often his lack of familiarity at this level
was exposed. Will emerge stronger for this experience.
Dave Edwards - 7 - In a rich vein of form, Edwards
looks a quality presence in the heart of Wolves' midfield. Broke up
Chelsea attacks and drove his side forward whenever possible.
Impressive all-action display deserved better, although he did fade
as game wore on.
Matt Jarvis - 7 - Near-perfect cross almost gave
his side an early advantage, which could have changed the whole
course of the match. Nevertheless, was the away side's one bright
attacking influence with his consistently testing delivery.
Segundo Castillo - 4.5 - Shown up as the
distinctly average defensive midfielder he is in the presence of
Essien and Mikel. Couldn't stem the tide for his side, and was
unsurprisingly withdrawn early into the second half as Mick
McCarthy shuffled his pack.
Karl Henry - 5.5 - Torrid afternoon for the
midfielder, as he saw his side completely overrun and found himself
unable to do anything about it.
Sylvain Ebanks-Blake - 5 - Ploughed a lone furrow
up front for his side, and any threat he carried was
thoroughly nullified by the attentions of Terry and Alex. Hard to
tell whether that is a credit to the defenders, or a criticism of
the attacker.
Substitutes
Michael Kightly - 6 - Offered another option to
Jarvis after an early second-half introduction.
Andrew Keogh - 5 - Replaced the hapless
Ebanks-Blake, but found it equally difficult to get involved in the
game.