Wolves 0-2 Chelsea: We take our chance and go four clear!

By 3pm on Saturday Chelsea took to the field knowing that a win could extend their lead at the top of the Premier League.

It was by no means our best peformance of the season and continued the problems we seem to be having away at the moment. Didier Drogba will take most of the column pages in the press after the result and to a point he should as he scored in both halves with two goals (off different styles) to take his goal tally to 25 for the season. But Petr Cech made some outstanding saves, stood firm and played just as important role in the win.

Chelsea made two changes to the team that lined up against Cardiff last weekend . With Lampard out, Anelka came back into the side and Joe Cole moved into midfield. Also (probably with Inter in mind this week) Ivanovic came in for Riccy Carvalho.
Wolves flooded their midfield, played with a deep defensive line and to their credit, made it very difficult for Chelsea during the game. Chelsea struggled to create any real clear cut chances in the game (which is worrying) without Frank Lampard.

In fact it was Wolves who created good opportunities during the first half. Kevin Doyle up front casued problems as Wolves played counter attacking football and Cech had to make a save twice to deny him. But, it was Chelsea who took the lead with the best passing move of the game. The ball was played out to Zhirkov, who in turn played a one two with Michael Ballack on the edge of the box (left side) and the undervalued (in my opinion) Ballack played a deft touch to play Zhirkov in behind the defensive line. Zhirkov looked up and drilled a cross across the 6 yard box and at the back post Drogba slid in and scored to make it 1-0.

In the second half, Wolves came out and took the game to Chelsea once more. Again, they created good chances and it was only because Cech stood up and held firm that we kept it a 1-0. Cech was forced into saves by Guedioura, Foley and Guedioura again. We were under pressure and on the back foot, but once more Drogba proved the difference.

A long goal kick down field found Drogba who turned his man 30 yards out and nodded the ball away from the defender. For the life of me I will never know why but Hahnemann came off his line and Drogba played the ball round him on the edge of the box and slid the ball home to make it 2-0.

You have to feel that once that second goal goes in its game over. Wolves spirit was broken and despite some pressure from Wolves and a half chance from a long throw Chelsea saw the game out and got the win.

After the game Ancelotti said:
"This is a big win for us after the United result. We have 11 games to play and four points is a nice gap to have but we must stay focused, nothing is decided. This was a very difficult match for us, it was difficult to play football but we stayed focused and were ready to fight for a fantastic result.

After the Manchester United result, it improved our strength and our confidence and we know it would be an important moment to win, we did it. Didier is doing very well, not just because of his goals but because of his leadership with his team-mates. His work rate is very good. But, Petr was man of the match because he saved the result for us when it was 1-0 and then he produced an excellent assist for our second goal. It was a great performance from those two and a fantastic victory".

Some people are saying it was a Mourinho-esq performance. Credit to Ancelotti and the team for getting the job done and credit to Wolves for the way they played. If they continue to play like they have been they should be safe and sound come May.

CAREFREE & KTBFFH EVERYONE!