subject: English Premier League- Chelsea Firmly On Top After Beating Wolverhampton [print this page] Chelsea again demonstrated why they are at the top of the Premier League standings after beating Wolverhampton 4-0 at home this past Saturday. With the victory, Chelsea increased their lead to eight points as the head of the Premiership, taking advantage of Arsenal's 1-0 defeat against Sunderland. The win means that Chelsea have won all seven home games without conceding a goal at Stamford Bridge since the first game of the season, against Hull.
The Blues currently have 33 points in 13 games and have tied a club record of 12 straight wins in their fiefdom this season.
The Wolves were powerless in the face of the Blues' talents and abilities. Chelsea's clearly superior play reaffirmed their leadership in the league, and the team is beginning to break away from its rivals in 2nd and 3rd place, Manchester United and Arsenal, respectively.
Florent Malouda started the game at minute 5, kicking a shot out of the area flew, at an angle, into the Wolves' goal to open the score at 1-0. After 12 minutes, Michael Essien headed Chelsea's second goal after following a corner from the right, putting the score 2-0 in favor of the Blues.
Essien was also in charge of the third goal, a ground shot at minute 22nd that was impossible for Wolves goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey to stop.
The Wolves only made one opportunity, in minute 39, but failed to capitalize. The first half ended with the score in favor of the Blues, 3-0.
In the second half, Seguno Castillo was replaced by Michael Kightly at minute 53 in an attempt to give more force to the Wolves' attack. But it was Chelsea who scored the fourth and sealed the humiliating rout, thanks to a great shot from Joe Cole at minute 56. The goal was Cole' first for the Blues since the win over Aston Villa in October of last year.
After the fourth goal, Chelsea played calmly but cautiously, dominating the ball and putting up a great defense. The Wanderers tried to fight despite Chelsea's plethora of goals, but the team wasn't able to synchronize an attack.
With 27 minutes left to the end of the match, Essien had another opportunity on the goal after a hat-trick, but the ball was palmed out by Hennessey.
Kakuta also had a chance to score 17 minutes later, but his 25-yard shot when out. And just at the end, Essien appeared to have another opportunity with a 20-yard drive, but the ball went wide. The attempts were the last in the game; the match ended 4-0, in favor of the Blues.
The Blues now have a chance of attaining their 1000th league win and completing a year undefeated at home.
Their coach, Carlo Ancelotti, was satisfied with his team's victory, noting that his players were performing well in every game this season. Perhaps the matches are too easy; with such skill, confidence, and teamwork, Chelsea is hardly being challenged.
"It was an easy game because we played very well. When Chelsea play at their best, it's difficult to play against Chelsea," said the Italian coach.
The Blues are now 5 points ahead of Manchester United and 8 points in front of Arsenal.
The Wolves, on the other hand, were suffered their second thrashing in as many weeks, losing last week to Arsenal 4-1. The defeat continues the Woverhampton's fall in the standings, where the team has only 10 points and could become the new bottom club in the next fixture date.
The Blues will next play Arsenal on November 29th, while Wolverhampton will face Birmingham City on the same day.
