Leaders Chelsea trounce Wolves 4-0

Nov 21, 2009 - 8:52 PM By ALEX CROOK STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti hailed the strength of his squad after the Premier League leaders cast aside their injury woes to crush Wolverhampton 4-0 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Joe Cole scored his first goal in 13 months while Michael Essien struck twice and Florent Malouda was also on target.

Chelsea cruised to a club record 12th successive home victory despite being without Frank Lampard, Deco, Michael Ballack and Didier Drogba.

Ancelotti, who was even able to hand a debut to youngster Gael Kakuta as a second half substitute, said: "I was pleased because after 20 minutes it was 3-0 and after that we kept control of the game.

"We have a very good squad. I can use all the players, also young players and for a coach this is important."

Wolves were hoping to cash in on Chelsea's lengthy injury list to notch their first win at Stamford Bridge in 34 years but the match was all but over after three Chelsea goals in the opening 22 minutes.

Malouda opened the scoring as early as the fifth minute by planting an unstoppable 20-yard shot into the top corner of Wayne Hennessey's net.

Malouda turned provider seven minutes later as the Frenchman's corner was headed in at the near post by Essien.

Essien bagged his second and Chelsea's third with the aid of a huge error from Wolves goalkeeper Hennessey.

Ghana international Essien picked up the ball on the edge of the penalty area and Hennessey allowed the midfielder's harmless looking shot to squirm under his body and into the net.

Cole made it 4-0 11 minutes into the second half. Nicolas Anelka and Salomon Kalou combined down the right and Hennessey could not keep out the England midfielder's low left shot.

Essien came agonisingly close to completing his hat-trick midway through the half when his shot was tipped onto the crossbar by Hennessey.

Ancelotti had an ominous warning for Chelsea's title rivals, saying: "We have to think we can do better.

"We are where we are. We are happy because we played very well and we win. We do not want to think it was an easy game.

"It was easy because we played very well. When Chelsea play at their best it is difficult to play against Chelsea."

Wolves have now conceded eight goals in their last two games after being thrashed 4-1 at home by Arsenal on their last outing.

Manager Mick McCarthy warned his side they face a difficult season ahead.

McCarthy said: "I agree with Carlo Ancelotti, Chelsea were fantastic.

"We started quite well, which sounds ridiculous when you have been beaten 4-0 and it could have been a lot more.

"The reality is if you gift them two goals in the first 11 minutes it is going to be a difficult afternoon.

"We are in a relegation dogfight from now on and we have to understand that and get on with it. We did not expect to get anything from our last two games."