Chelsea Supporters Club South Africa

Chelsea ran riot to rout strugglers Wolves and extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to eight points.

It was a stellar Blues display despite a host of absences, kick-started by Florent Malouda’s 22-yard strike.

Michael Essien then grabbed two in 10 minutes, heading home unmarked and squeezing in from the edge of the area, before Joe Cole clipped in on the hour.

Wolves came closest when Petr Cech kept out Sylvan Ebanks-Blake’s header, but in truth they could have lost by more.

The victory, combined with title-rivals Arsenal’s defeat away at Sunderland and with Manchester United involved in the day’s late kick-off, sees Chelsea extend their lead and remain favourites, even at this early stage, to win their first championship since 2006.

Their excellent return of 33 points from a possible 39 has been borne out of a combination of silky attacks and sturdy defence - both of which were on display against Wolves.

In fact the clean sheet, the 10th straight shut-out at Stamford Bridge, saw Carlo Ancelotti’s men equal the club record set way back in 1927.

And second-half substitute Gael Kakuta - the player at the centre of the Blues’ potential transfer ban controversy - showed off his box of tricks on debut before drilling inches past the post late in the game.