Match ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0, Chelsea 2.
WolvesWolverhampton Wanderers0ChelseaChelsea2
Premier League leaders Chelsea reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup with victory over Wolves in an entertaining tie at Molineux.
Wolves, just five points above the Championship relegation zone, took a positive approach in the first half as George Saville lashed an early strike against the post.
Chelsea's defence was repeatedly tested before the visitors finally upped the tempo, forcing Wolves back and allowing Pedro to dart in and head home unmarked at the back post.
Diego Costa sealed Chelsea's place with his 16th goal of the season as he slid a low finish past Carl Ikeme.
The draw for the quarter-finals takes place on Sunday at 18:30 GMT on the BBC News Channel, BBC Radio 5 live and the BBC Sport website.
Chelsea sparkle beats Wolves grit
Chelsea, eight points clear at the top of the Premier League, were put under pressure by Burnley in their last outing - a 1-1 draw at Turf Moor - and although Wolves' defence did not have the bite of the Clarets', the hosts were quick to close down.
Blues boss Antonio Conte made seven changes to his side, breaking with the consistency that has been key to their success this season.
A lively start from Wolves rattled Chelsea in the first half, but as the Blues grew into the game the hosts left them too much space to exploit, never more so than for the opener, as Eden Hazard and Willian were afforded time to tee up the unmarked Pedro.
The second goal felt inevitable and it duly came as the hosts committed men forward, the ball breaking kindly to Costa in the area off a Wolves body and swiftly dispatched into the corner.
Wolves show change of pace
Wolves have not reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup since 2003, and had they been able to keep their intensity across 90 minutes against the Blues they may have ended that barren run.
But the final result was perhaps to be expected in a season marred by inconsistency.
Impressive wins away to Stoke and Liverpool to reach this stage of the cup have been in stark contrast to their league form.
Paul Lambert's men are winless in the league in February - a run taking in defeats to fellow strugglers Wigan and Burton - and have now lost their last three matches in all competitions, all of which were on home soil and all without scoring a goal.
Nevertheless, this latest performance was a spirited one and much appreciated by Lambert and the Molineux crowd, who gave the players a warm ovation as they left the pitch.
'Chelsea passed a test' - Analysis
Ex-Wales striker John Hartson on BBC Match of the Day:
"Wolves started the game really brightly and caused a lot of problems in the first 25 minutes. Chelsea came into the game more in the second half. They have got a fantastic squad and in the end it was pretty comfortable."
Former England winger Trevor Sinclair on MOTD:
"Antonio Conte has started something at Chelsea. There is a culture at the football club. Players on the periphery are still fit and when they play, they do a job. They may be favourites for the FA Cup too."
Ex-Republic of Ireland midfielder Andy Townsend on BBC Radio 5 live:
"It was a very good game and very competitive, the top third was the difference between the sides. Wolves had lots of half-chances but when Chelsea had theirs, they took them.
"Chelsea made lots of changes today, but their attitude was good, they have passed a test today.
"You do not question Diego Costa's work-rate. He is running everywhere but he has the knack of being in the right place at the right time. The best striker in the Premier League at the moment."
Man of the match - Cesc Fabregas (Chelsea)
Pedro's FA Cup streak - match stats
- Pedro has now scored in the third, fourth and fifth rounds of this season's FA Cup.
- The Spanish forward has scored seven goals in his last 10 competitive appearances.
- Diego Costa ended a four-game run without a goal (413 minutes).
- Chelsea have now won 10 of their last 11 games in all competitions versus Wolves (L1), keeping eight clean sheets in the process.
- Antonio Conte's side have failed to score in just one of their last 12 away games in all competitions.
- This was Chelsea's 24th win of 2016-17 in all competitions, despite only playing 31 games overall (77% win ratio). They won just 20/53 in 2015-16 (38%).
- This was Wolves' fourth successive defeat in all competitions and they haven't scored in any of the last three.
'There is no easy games'
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte: "A very difficult game but we all knew this. It was important to suffer in the moments and then in the second half we deserved to win because we scored two goals.
"We had many chances but this is the FA Cup. The results this afternoon show there is no easy games.
"Don't forget, I changed seven players. It is good to have a good answer from the players who are not playing a lot. We showed great commitment to fight, to win and to continue in this competition.
"I am pleased because we scored a good goal with the situation. I am pleased for Pedro, for the team and now we must continue in this way."
Wolves manager Paul Lambert: "I could not ask for any more. The game plan was unbelievably performed and we were up against a world-class side.
"Not just class, world-class. They have won Champion Leagues, so many honours, but we gave it a good go.
"In big moments, we have to score. If George Saville's shot goes in, we have something to hold on to. We played with intensity but needed breaks to go our way.
"Big players make things happen. They are most dangerous when we have the ball. They have so much pace on the counter attack. This was no disgrace, I thought we played great."
What's next?
Chelsea host Swansea City on Saturday, 25 February (15:00 GMT) in the Premier League while Wolves host local rivals Birmingham City on Friday, 24 February (19:45 GMT).
Line-ups
Wolves
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Ikeme
- 16Coady
- 6BatthBooked at 70mins
- 30Hause
- 2Doherty
- 4Edwards
- 19Price
- 8SavilleBooked at 21minsSubstituted forSaissat 84'minutes
- 17Hélder Costa
- 22BödvarssonSubstituted forRonanat 84'minutes
- 63WeimannBooked at 33minsSubstituted forWilsonat 76'minutes
Substitutes
- 5Stearman
- 14Evans
- 26Enobakhare
- 27Saiss
- 31Burgoyne
- 34Wilson
- 43Ronan
Chelsea
Formation 3-4-3
- 1Begovic
- 5Zouma
- 26Terry
- 6Aké
- 15Moses
- 4FÃ bregas
- 29Chalobah
- 11PedroBooked at 49minsSubstituted forAzpilicuetaat 73'minutes
- 22WillianSubstituted forKantéat 80'minutes
- 19Diego Costa
- 10E HazardSubstituted forLoftus-Cheekat 86'minutes
Substitutes
- 7Kanté
- 14Loftus-Cheek
- 16Kenedy
- 23Batshuayi
- 24Cahill
- 28Azpilicueta
- 37Dos Reis Carvalho
- Referee:
- Jonathan Moss
- Attendance:
- 30,193
Match Stats
Home TeamWolvesAway TeamChelsea
- Possession
- Home35%
- Away65%
- Shots
- Home8
- Away13
- Shots on Target
- Home2
- Away4
- Corners
- Home5
- Away8
- Fouls
- Home10
- Away8
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0, Chelsea 2.
Post update
Attempt missed. Nathaniel Chalobah (Chelsea) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Diego Costa.
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Corner, Chelsea. Conceded by Danny Batth.
Goal!
Goal! Wolverhampton Wanderers 0, Chelsea 2. Diego Costa (Chelsea) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner.
Post update
Attempt missed. Kurt Zouma (Chelsea) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Cesc FÃ bregas with a cross following a corner.
Post update
Corner, Chelsea. Conceded by Matt Doherty.
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Offside, Chelsea. N'Golo Kanté tries a through ball, but Victor Moses is caught offside.
Substitution
Substitution, Chelsea. Ruben Loftus-Cheek replaces Eden Hazard.
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Corner, Chelsea. Conceded by Romain Saiss.
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Attempt blocked. Cesc FÃ bregas (Chelsea) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Eden Hazard.
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Attempt missed. Romain Saiss (Wolverhampton Wanderers) left footed shot from more than 35 yards misses to the right.
Substitution
Substitution, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Connor Ronan replaces Jón Dadi Bödvarsson.
Substitution
Substitution, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Romain Saiss replaces George Saville.
Post update
Foul by Eden Hazard (Chelsea).
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George Saville (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Chelsea. N'Golo Kanté replaces Willian.
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Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by César Azpilicueta.
Substitution
Substitution, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Donovan Wilson replaces Andreas Weimann.
Post update
Cesc FÃ bregas (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Comments
Join the conversation
I would back Chelsea for a League and Cup double.
Well cup run for this year is over, so let's go and climb up the Championship league table!
Yawn Dearies!
Russian Billionaire Paying for Trophies!
How original and witty, your sides must be splitting. Has Oscar Wilde been reincarnated?
Plus united have spent more than enough to win the next ten ?
Also playing four players that have been brought through the youth system is just as good pleasing . Would be nice to have a trophy at end season .
Double will be a stretch too far .
Good to read a no "sour grapes" comment from a Wolves fan and just an appreciation of a good cup tie.. Conte is good for Chesea's soul he appears to have healed any rifts, well done boys.
As for Arsenal . They are fastly becoming the new Liverpool in the league . "It could be our year !"
AFC = one cup winners cup in their history .
A complete embarrassment. Please don't enter Europe competitions. It's horrible.
Bunch of wimps that get thrashed by any team that can tackle.
As a Liverpool fan why are you here on a Wolves v Chelsea thread. Why don't you go on the Liverpool one ... Oh ... Never mind