Wolves 0-5 Chelsea

Last updated : 12 October 2003 By Liam Corbett
Chelsea produced their biggest away win for six years, when they eased by Wolverhampton Wanderes at Molineux. Claudio Ranieri made numerous changes to the Chelsea starting eleven, with Terry, Lampard, Hasselbaink, Gronkjaer, Gudjohnsen and Babayaro all returning. They were made way for by Crespo, the suspended Geremi, club captain Desailly, Veron, Wayne Bridge and Mutu. It was never really a contest in truth, with Frank Lampard opening the flood gates after just 18 minutes. He was given the ball about 25 yards from te Wolves goal, and let fly with his left foot, and the ball sailed past Oakes. Another 18 minutes later, and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink had doubled the lead. A quick free kick and a Damien Duff pass later, and Jimmy found himself through on Oakes from a tight angle, but he bobbled the ball across the diving keeper, into the far left corner, with his left foot. By the way Jimmy, work on the goal celebrations a bit, you may be using it a bit more than last season !! That was it until the second half, when Wolves fell apart and conceded another three goals. An unchanged Chelsea returned for the second half, and within 7 miutes, it was 3-0. Damien Duff slotted home his first Chelsea goal since moving from Blackburn for a record £17 million. He was picked out six yards from goal, by Eidur Gudjohnsen, and cooly slotted home before running, kissing the Chelsea badge, to the away supporters. Chants of "Claudio Ranieri's blue and white army" echoed around Molineux, followed by "Are you Tottenham in disguise?." The away fans also voiced their opinions on Sven Goran Eriksson, and are certainly sticking by Claudio Ranieri. Joe Cole came on for his cameo role after 57 minutes, replacing the speedy Jesper Gronkjaer. Then, on 65 minutes, Chelsea bought on their second substitute of the afternoon. Hernan Crespo replaced Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, and took under a minute to get his name on the scorsheet. A fantastically drilled cross from Damien Duff was cooly side footed home by Crespo, for his first Chelsea goal. What must Jimmy Floyd have been thinking? Wolves only real threatening action came in the 79th minute. A Butler header looped over the stranded Carlo Cudicini and hit the bar. The rebound fell to the head of former Spurs hitman Steffen Iversen, who also could do no better than the Chelsea crossbar. This time however, the ball fell to John Terry, who bravely put his head in the firing line, and cleared the ball. He did, however, suffer a kick to his back, and received immediate treatment. With Chelsea now 4-0 nil up, Glen Johnsen was replaced by German teenager Robert Huth, with William Gallas filling in at right back. He took little time in getting himself into the action, booked for a late challenge on Paul Ince. The scoring was not done and dusted hoever. After blazing over an earlier oppurtunity, Crespo completed the romp with a brilliant finish, in injury time. A cut back from Man of the Match Frank Lampard was converted past Oakes, with seemingly little difficulty. John Terry's dis-allowed goal after only a few minutes seemed an eternity ago! Tougher challenges ahead for sure, but you can only beat what's put in front of you. And Chelsea sure gave the Wolves a beating !