Didier Drogba struck twice to take his season’s total to 25 as Chelsea sunk Wolves to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to four points.
The Ivory Coast frontman made the most of two rare chances in an unconvincing away display, sliding home his first from Yuri Zhirkov’s pinpoint cross.
Drogba then latched on to Petr Cech’s long kick for his second to wrap it up.
But Wolves will feel hard done by, with Cech twice denying Adlene Guedioura to render a brave home display fruitless.
And while the hosts should certainly take heart from a performance that once again proves they can live with the best sides at the Molineux on their day, another defeat means they remain perilously close to the drop zone.
For Chelsea, though, victory will be just what boss Carlo Ancelotti will have wanted after another week of front-page allegations and controversy surrounding the Stamford Bridge outfit.
Man Utd result spurred us on - Ancelotti
The win also serves to reignite their title charge after a decidedly patchy run of form, especially on the back of rivals Manchester United’s defeat by Everton earlier in the day.
