Player Ratings: Chelsea vs Wolves

Chelsea 

Petr Cech - 6 – Was a spectator for the majority of the game, making only one real stop of worth to keep a clean sheet. Is starting to get used to such easy shifts at Stamford Bridge, with the Blues having not conceded at home in the last nine hours.
 
Ashley Cole - 6 - Surprisingly subdued in such a one-sided performance. Was sometimes pegged back as Wolves tried to exploit the wide areas, but got forward where possible to support his team-mates.
 
John Terry - 6.5 – Was his ever-reliable self as he dealt with Wolves’ rare forays forward quite comfortably, and will be pleased to have kept yet another home clean sheet. Made a good goal-line clearance.
 
Alex - 7 - A perfect return to the starting line-up in the Premier League for the Brazilian, who coped easily with Ebanks-Blake all game, and did well against the trickery of Jarvis. Encouraging for Ancelotti as Alex appears to be the long-term replacement to an ageing Carvalho. 
 
Juliano Belletti – 5.5 - Was given the run-around by Jarvis on that side of the field. Often guilty of slack defending and poor reading of the play, the Brazilian veteran does provide good cover for the starting XI however he does not look a permanent starting option at right-back. 
 
John Obi Mikel - 6.5 - A solid display by the Nigerian as he formed the base of the diamond formation, but perhaps wasn’t tested enough to really excel. Didn’t offer too much to convince Ancelotti he should start in place of the other injured midfielders.
 
Michael Essien - 9 - Nodded home with a free header from a corner to secure the game for the Blues inside 15 minutes. In the absence of Frank Lampard and Michael Ballack the Ghanaian was released further forward, to great affect all game. Very unlucky to be denied a memorable hat-trick. Undoubtedly the man of the match. 
 
Florent Malouda - 7.5 - Sublime early strike quickly silenced the visitors after they had enjoyed a lively start. Provided the corner for Essien’s goal in very good all-round performance. If the Frenchman only contributed more defensively he would be very hard to ever leave out the first XI.
 
Joe Cole - 6.5 – Very lively outing and looked quite sharp in possession, the Englishmen will hope this is a sign of things to come as he looks to cement a spot in South Africa. Not a game where his trickery was really needed, but he came up with a few moments of individual brilliance and tucked home his side’s fourth goal and his first of the season. 
 
Nicolas Anelka - 7 - Led the line well without the presence of his partner-in-crime Drogba. His movement was impeccable, and his vision allowed those around him to prosper. Sacrificed his own goal-scoring threat to provide the space and time for others.
 
Salomon Kalou - 6.5 - A lively performance from the Ivorian, something he has not always given in other starting opportunities this season. Had a number of good chances, but still has a tendency to choose the wrong option.
 
Substitutes
 
Gael Kakuta - 7 - Replaced Anelka to a rapturous applause from the Stamford Bridge faithful, who quickly realised what a special talent the young Frenchman is. An extremely promising 30-minute cameo, in which he showed class in all areas of the game.
 
Nemanja Matic - 6 - Given first-team chance in place of Malouda. Took time to find feet but looked very comfortable in possession and certainly was not out of his depth.
 
Fabio Borini - 6 - Ancelotti has great faith in his young compatriot, and while his physical strength is questioned, his intelligent runs set him apart as a potential star.
 
 
Wolverhampton Wanderers 
 
Wayne Hennessey - 5 – The Wolves custodian will not be happy with the score or his performance, particularly considering the fashion both Joe Cole’s goal and Essien’s second strike slipped under his body. Was undone by a sublime Chelsea team and an incompetent array of defending. 
 
Greg Halford  - 5.5 - Questionable at times defensively, but that was almost inevitable considering the constant demands put on him by the Chelsea onslaught. Will not be too disheartened with his individual efforts.
 
Jody Craddock - 5.5 – His mistimed clearance landed at the feat of Malouda for the opening goal and then he compounded this error by failing to close down the Frenchman. After that it was always a damage-limitation exercise.
 
Christophe Berra - 5.5 - Powerful defender struggled valiantly throughout the game, but his lack of real top quality was exposed time and again by the Blues. Will be happy to forget this afternoon and probably thankful he did not have to line-up against an in-form Drogba. 
 
Richard Stearman - 6.5 - Wolves’ early collapse forced Mick McCarthy to change things tactically, giving the former Leicester City man license to roam forward. This he did admirably, causing some consternation among the home side. Still, was poor in his main duty as a defender.
 
Andrew Surman - 6 - Given a difficult task as a wing-back by his manager, the former Southampton star had his moments in the game but often his lack of familiarity at this level was exposed. Will emerge stronger for this experience.
 
Dave Edwards - 7 - In a rich vein of form, Edwards looks a quality presence in the heart of Wolves’ midfield. Broke up Chelsea attacks and drove his side forward whenever possible. Impressive all-action display deserved better, although he did fade as game wore on.
 
Matt Jarvis - 7 – A constant menace for Belletti, his near-perfect cross almost gave his side an early advantage, which could have changed the whole course of the match. Nevertheless, was the away side’s one bright attacking influence with his dangerous deliveries. 
 
Segundo Castillo - 4.5 – Was severely out of his depth in the centre of midfield against the likes of Essien and Mikel. Couldn’t stem the tide for his side, and was unsurprisingly withdrawn early into the second half as Mick McCarthy shuffled his pack.
 
Karl Henry - 5.5 - Torrid afternoon for the midfielder, as he saw his side completely overrun and found himself unable to do anything about it. Was guilty of letting Essien claim a free header for his first goal. 
 
Sylvain Ebanks-Blake - 5 - Ploughed a lone furrow up front for his side, and any threat he carried was thoroughly nullified by the attentions of Terry and Alex. Hard to tell whether that is a credit to the defenders, or a criticism of the attacker.
 
Substitutes
 
Michael Kightly - 6 - Offered another option to Jarvis after an early second-half introduction.
 
Andrew Keogh - 5 - Replaced the hapless Ebanks-Blake, but found it equally difficult to get involved in the game.

By Joshua Kepreotis

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