'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Goals from Mason Mount and Olivier Giroud in first-half stoppage time sealed all three points for Chelsea, as they finished their first season under Frank Lampard inside the top four of the EPL.
A draw would have got the job done, but Chelsea's quality and match awareness took them over the line comfortably. It was a very difficult match for both sides due to similar formations and equally vibrant midfield setups.
However, the goals and an exhibition of complete control in the second half resulted in a rather comfortable win for Chelsea. Wolves, meanwhile, just lacked the incision against an energetic side, and never really managed to test their opponents' defence.
On that note, we list the key talking points from Chelsea's stunning win over Wolves.
#1 Lampard drops Kepa in an interesting playing XI
Lampard's changes for this fixture highlighted how proactive he has been as Chelsea boss.
The former England international was not afraid to bench his number one goalkeeper in Kepa, following his dismal display against Liverpool in the 5-3 defeat at Anfield.
Lampard stuck to three at the back, with Cesar Azpilicueta, Antonio Rudiger and Kurt Zouma forming the first defensive line. The ever-willing Marcos Alonso and Reece James joined them on either side, while Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic manned the centre of the pitch.
Interestingly, Mason Mount was preferred at right wing after it was confirmed that Willian would miss out due to injury. Callum Hudson-Odoi was an option, but Mount's willingness and versatility paid off.
Olivier Giroud and Christian Pulisic completed a strong, compact Chelsea XI.
#2 Wolves' shape prevents Chelsea from breaking through
The first half was as scrappy and cagey as it could get, as neither side managed to carve through the opposition defence or test the goalkeeper.
Both teams were guilty of losing possession cheaply, but one could argue that with all the patient build-up, Chelsea were the more frustrated outfit.
Of course they would be - such was Wolves' organisation and concentration. Every time Pulisic got the ball and tried to weave his way into an empty pocket, he was crowded and dispossessed by a lively Wolves midfield.
For most part of the game, the Blues tried to play long and fed the ball a lot to Alonso and James. This indicated a lack of space in the middle of the park, as well as behind the three centre-halves.
There were no shots on target until Chelsea's breakthrough goal. It was certainly a match where the first goal swayed things significantly
#3 Two quick-fire goals gave Chelsea the lead
It never looked like Chelsea would score against such a strong, sturdy Wolves side. But a free kick was what it took to break the deadlock.
One got the feeling that a set-piece, defensive error or a penalty would add to the score sheet in this tightly contested affair.
And on the brink of half-time, Alonso won a free-kick in dangerous territory. Mount took control of it and dispatched the ball beyond Rui Patricio with the right amount of pace and precision.
It was the quality of the strike that separated the two sides, before Giroud's appetite for goals resulted in the second for Chelsea just 131 seconds later.
It was a similar stretch that helped him poach a goal against Liverpool. The Frenchman rounded Patricio before winning the physical tussle against Conor Coady to double his side's lead. Chelsea, after the goals, had their tails up.
#4 Chelsea were completely at ease in the second-half
After having taken a surprising 2-0 lead inside the first-half, Chelsea could easily have sat back and let Wolves come at them.
However, Lampard ordered his side to keep their foot on the pedal and press Wolves down. They did so emphatically, restricting the visitors and closing in on them in their defensive half.
The Blues maintained about 76% possession until the second drinks break, underlining their dominance and attempt to defend with the ball and not without it.
There was no deliberate urgency to break down Wolves, as seen from Chelsea's sideways passing and excellent control in possession. They knocked the ball from one end of the pitch to the other and exchanged quick passes.
As flat Nuno Espirito Santo's side were, Chelsea's authority with the ball meant that the game was over after the first couple of goals itself.
#5 Mateo Kovacic puts in an absolute masterclass
One player who shone from the outset for Chelsea was Mateo Kovacic. Yes, Giroud and Mount produced two decisive moments for the Blues, while the wing backs also performed commendable jobs.
But no one impressed and imposed his presence on the pitch as much as Kovacic. The Croatian sprinted 40 yards across the ground to recover after Azpilicueta had lost out to Jota near the touchline, and that gave Wolves an idea of what they were up against.
The Croatian's energy, desperation to cover ground and mop up was truly spectacular. He chipped in with a display that has been associated with N'Golo Kante so often.
Kovacic's tackling was accurate, while his offensive contribution, dribbling and cutting edge proved very handy. He will be key to Chelsea's fortunes in the FA Cup final.
