Salomon Kalou finished off a plucky Wolves side to nab the home side’s second goal as Chelsea extended their lead to five points of the Premier League.
Chelsea won 2-0 with Florent Malouda opening the scoring.
Chelsea has now won all five home league games this season.
The champions did not play well but still managed to win and that’s a testament to their defence who have only conceded two goals all season.
The visitors had a go and could have scored several times.
But it was right back Jose Bosingwa who had the first chance of the game.
His blistering right-footed shot from just inside the Wolves penalty area brought a fine save from Marcus Hahnemann.
But the home side’s goalkeeper Peter Cech had to be on his toes to foil Dave Edward’s header.
He was again called intro action to stop Jelle van Damme’s near post header.
But free-scoring Chelsea took the lead on 23 minutes after excellent set-up play by Zhirkov saw Malouda tuck home a smart right-footer from just inside the Wolves’s area.
Nicolas Anelka hit the side netting after another sweeping move by the home side.
Nenad Milijas had a snap shot well saved by Cech after John Terry lost the ball.
Kevin Doyle should have scored from a header just before half time, but screwed the ball wide.
The visitors almost equalised but blushes were spared when Michael Essien cleared the ball off the line after a substitute Stephen Hunt’s header went through the Chelsea defence.
Doyle also had a left footer from just outside area but Cech did well to dive low to his left to prevent the ball going into the net.
Didier Drogba did not have a great game and his best chance came when Branislav Ivanovic thumped the ball forward, Drogba went clear but Hahnemann raced out of his area to kick the ball clear.
Salomon Kalou replaced Malouda and with nine minutes remaining sealed victory when he latched onto a through ball by Drogba and slotted home from close range.
Chelsea (4-3-3): Cech; Bosingwa (Ferreira 78), Ivanovic, Terry (c), Cole; Essien, Mikel, Zhirkov (McEachran 81); Anelka, Drogba, Malouda (Kalou 72).
Unused subs Turnbull, Bruma, Kakuta, Sturridge.
Booked Mikel
Wolverhampton Wanderers (4-5-1): Hahnemann; Foley, Stearman, Berra (c), Ward; Jarvis (Fletcher 86), Edwards, Milijas, Jones, Van Damme (Hunt h/t); Doyle (Ebanks-Blake 86).
Unused subs Hennessey, Elokobi, Mouyokolo, Davis.
Booked Stearman, Berra
Referee Lee Probert
Shots on target Chelsea 7 Wolverhampton Wanderers 9
Corners Chelsea 8 Wolverhampton Wanderers 8
Fouls Chelsea 9 Wolverhampton Wanderers 8
Offsides Chelsea 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1
Attendance 41,752