Chelsea maintain their Premier League lead after giving Wolves a savaging

Posted Sunday, November 22, 2009 by theguardian.com

Chelsea maintain their Premier League lead after giving Wolves a savaging
Florent Malouda, right, celebrates with Joe Cole after scoring Chelsea's opening goal against Wolves after five minutes.

The only consolation for Wolves in the teeming west London rain was that they did not emulate their predecessors. The last time the Midlands club were in the Premier League they conceded five goals on each of the two occasions they faced Chelsea. The final tally was one fewer this time around, but that should in no way disguise the utter domination of Carlo Ancelotti's side on a day they revelled as champions-elect.

A 12th consecutive home victory, a club record, was achieved with minimum fuss and remarkable class. The league leaders lacked key performers in Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack and Didier Drogba through injury, yet lost none of their commitment and, on numerous occasions, displayed eye-stretching movement. It was almost impossible, for example, to define Ashley Cole as a full-back, Michael Essien as a midfielder or Nicolas Anelka as a striker, such were the varied and numerous positions they took up on the pitch.

There was individual joy, too, for Joe Cole who scored his first goal for the club in 13 months following recovery from a knee injury. His was a roaming and penetrative display throughout the 90 minutes. "Every game he is improving," said Ancelotti of the midfielder. "That is good for us as he can do a good job for the team in the position he plays."