Chelsea coasted to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Wolves in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon.
Graham Potter's rotated side breezed to the three points, barely breaking from a canter while dominating possession from the first minute to the last.
The first period was effectively one way traffic, with the Pensioners piling on the pressure and racking up chance after chance. The inspired heroics of Wanderers goalkeeper Jose Sa plus plenty of profligacy from the Blues' offensive unit only kept the wolf at the door for Wolves for so long, with Kai Havertz heading home the opener on the cusp of half-time.
Potter will have been pretty pleased at the break given how his side were in pole position and completely unbothered by the visitors. It was the manner of dominance too, with the Blues playing vertically and pulling the Wolves defence apart.
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While it took some time for the opener, it did not take long after the interval for another. Christian Pulisic was the goalscorer, with a neat, composed finish at a tight angle. Armando Broja would compound Wolves' misery with a beautiful strike and his first Chelsea goal in the dying embers.
A comfortable victory made for perfect preparation ahead of a trip to the San Siro to play AC Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday. In the interim, here is how Absolute Chelsea rated the Blues' performance against Wolves.
Kepa Arrizabalaga - 8/10
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Quite simply rose to every task asked of him. The hosts hardly created an abundance of work for the former Bilbao man, but he was alert to the rare danger including a smart stop from a sweetly struck Joao Moutinho free kick. His sweeping was outstanding, too.
Cesar Azpilicueta - 8/10
It might be harsh to say Chelsea's skipper 'rolled back the years' but this was a performance from yesteryear that was right out of the top drawer. Generated chances at will and bombed up and down the right flank with reckless abandon. Excellent.
Trevoh Chalobah - 7/10
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Slotted into the Blues' backline seamlessly, going about his business with a minimum of fuss. His ball-playing was particularly solid, with the young Sierra Leonean assured in possession.
Kalidou Koulibaly - 7/10
The Senegalese giant has been relatively shaky in recent times, but this was a marked improvement. Competent and composed in equal measure, and more to the point a lot calmer after some aggressive showings of late.
Marc Cucurella - 7/10
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Struck up a decent enough understanding with peer Pulisic on the left-hand side of the field. Positionally and defensively a little naive on occasion, with the Molineux outfit enjoying the brunt of their limited joy with passes in behind the Chelsea new boy, but his recovery and blocks were on point.
Jorginho - 7/10
Metronomic and all together unbothered in the engine room, keeping the Pensioners ticking over. Pivotal in the build-up from the back.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek - 7/10 [66]
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Picked up right where he left off during his midweek masterclass against Italian champions AC Mian. A towering presence in the centre of the park, showing great quick feet in tight situations. Arguably deserves an extended stint in the first eleven, figuring to be a handy asset for Potter to call upon indeed.
Conor Gallagher - 8/10 [86]
Looked sharp and bright as a button, bringing great energy and impetus to proceedings. The late goal against Crystal Palace seems to have injected some encouragement into his game and certainly everything good went through him and veteran Azpilicueta in the first 45.
Mason Mount - 8/10 [72]
Served a timely reminder of his quality to his denigrators with not just one but two assists - a peach of a drilled cross, which teammate Havertz gratefully gobbled up, followed by a delightful reverse pass for Pulisic to make it two. Easily his best showing of the season, albeit that is hardly an accolade.
Christian Pulisic - 7/10 [72]
It looked like it'd never fall for the American, who conspired to squander every opportunity that fell his way in the first half and sabotage Chelsea's offensives with some questionable decision-making and lack of cutting edge. Yet his sheer persistence alone was rewarded and his dink beyond the grasp of Jose Sa was very nicely taken indeed in a moment of genuine quality. Worked hard and one hopes more of the same is to follow.
Kai Havertz - 7/10 [86]
The jury is still out on whether the German is best deployed as an out and out number nine, but one benefit is that it does make the most of his lanky frame and fair aerial ability. So it proved on this occasion, rising highest to loop a cute header over the otherwise impervious Sa.
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Mateo Kovacic - 7/10 [66]
A decent enough showing for the Croatian dynamo, coming in as the match fizzled into a glorified training session. Even scooped an assist at the death with a nice zipped pass to Broja.
Armando Broja - 7/10 [72]
A long time coming, but worth the wait. His goal was just reward for the Albanian, who has patiently waited for his opportunity.
Reece James - 6/10 [72]
Rested after a devastating display midweek that tore AC Milan apart, and it promises to be more of the same for the Italian outfit when he's fresh and ready to fire come Tuesday. Barely broke a sweat here.
Hakim Ziyech - N/A [86]
Carney Chukwuemeka - N/A [86]
Featured Image Credit: PA Images / Alamy Stock PhotoTopics: Chelsea, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Football, Premier League
