Observer:
Chelsea ease past brave Wolves thanks to goals by Pedro and Diego Costa
Wolves 0 - 2 Chelsea
Paul Doyle
Chelsea endured a scare in the company of Wolves but emerged smiling thanks to second-half goals by Pedro and Diego Costa. It was the right result in the end but the Championship team can take pride from how difficult they made life for their illustrious visitors.
Wolves bumbled into this tie on the back of three consecutive defeats but to lift morale Paul Lambert needed only to refer to their previous performances in this competition. Victories away to two Premier League teams – Stoke City and Liverpool – had proved their capacity to antagonise the elite.
To stretch a point he might even have recalled that Chelsea only drew at Anfield, a result that meant Antonio Conte’s team had failed to win either of their previous two away matches, although using that evidence to suggest the Premier League leaders were in the midst of a stutter might have pushed the glass half-full approach so far it invited questions as to just which drink the glass was half-full of. But hey, the FA Cup is no place for moderation of ambition.
Conte made seven changes to the lineup who had started Chelsea’s last match but, make no mistake, he was aiming to preserve his team’s chances of marking his debut season in England with a domestic double. The upsets caused by Lincoln and Millwall earlier in the day led him to reinforce that message to his team. “After those results I tried to warn the players about the difficulty of this game,” he said. This manager does not neglect any competition and, as ever, his manic contortions on the touchline attested to his yearning for victory.
So did the strength of his team in spite of the changes. He retained Costa and Eden Hazard, and the players drafted in were not exactly nobodies, with Cesc Fàbregas beginning in midfield and John Terry leading a defence featuring Kurt Zouma and Nathan Aké.
Roared on by the biggest Molineux crowd since 1981, Wolves tore into their visitors. They came agonisingly close to drawing blood in the fourth minute, when Zouma failed to clear a cross by Conor Coady and the ball broke to George Saville, alone 12 yards from goal. Excitement got the better of the midfielder, a graduate of Chelsea’s academy, and he rather slashed at the ball, which hurtled past Asmir Begovic but bounced back off a post.
Wolves radiated energy but also passed slickly and they continued to worry the visitors. They also defended tightly during the inevitable spells when Chelsea forced them backwards.
Fàbregas undid Wolves’ rearguard with a classy touch in the 12th minute, dissecting the defence with an artful through-ball to Willian. Carl Ikeme charged off his line to parry Willian’s shot and then foiled his rebound, too. Eight minutes later Willian had a let-off in his own box, when the referee ignored febrile appeals for a penalty when Andreas Weimann hit the ground under the weight of a challenge by the Brazilian.
It was an even and exhilarating contest, with a cracking tempo and crunching tackles – wholesome entertainment despite the blank scoresheet at half-time.
The onus was on Chelsea to demonstrate their superiority in the second half but within a minute of the resumption they were thrown into panic at the back by a dash down the right by Hélder Costa. They survived but were patently unnerved and Pedro was booked moments later for resorting to a trip to sabotage another burst by the winger.
Fàbregas and Nathaniel Chalobah formed a less forceful midfield duo than N’Golo Kanté and Nemanja Matic, at times outrun and outfought, but when Chelsea attacked their moves usually flowed through Fàbregas. His pass before the hour led to a chance for Victor Moses, whose shot was deflected wide. In the 62nd minute Willian pinged a low pass to Costa, who twisted past Danny Batth but fired into the side netting. The pressure was building.
The breakthrough came in the 65th minute and there was no disputing its quality. Costa and Hazard conspired deftly before Willian floated in a perfect deep cross. Pedro arrived to head into the net from 10 yards.
Conte replaced Pedro with César Azpilicueta and then introduced Kanté for Willian. He was taking no chances. Wolves were left to regret missing theirs, especially when Costa pounced on a loose ball and swept it into the net in the last minute.
“I’m proud of my team because we made this game what it was,” said Lambert, who was similarly impressed with Chelsea. “It’s going to take one hell of a team to stop them doing the double,” he said.
“It is too early to talk about this,” said Conte of his side’s double prospects, but he was happy to praise his hosts’ display. “Wolverhampton deserve my compliments for the performance because they played very well,” he said. “They showed good organisation, character and intensity.”
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Telegraph:
Wolves 0 Chelsea 2: Diego Costa shows his class and fight to keep Double dream alive
Sam Wallace
It was Carlo Ancelotti who won the Premier League and FA Cup double in his first season in charge of Chelsea, an achievement that did not save him from the axe one year later, and seven years on from that triumph it is another Italian general at the club who has his eye on both prizes.
Antonio Conte’s team did not exactly cruise through to the FA Cup quarter-finals against a side now 19th in the Championship, 39 places behind them in the league hierarchy, but even with extensive changes to the side they still saw it out.
A goal from Pedro in the second half was enough to set them on their way, but in a month when the proverbial giant-killings have looked like they could turn into an epidemic, Chelsea’s FA Cup life never really looked in doubt.
Diego Costa capped another epic performance leading the line for his team against an uncompromising defence by pouncing on a loose ball in the 89th minute and drilling in a second. They had to fight all the way against a Wolves team who never gave an inch but were eventually overwhelmed by the quality of the Premier League leaders, and there is no shame in that.
It was the end of a magical Cup run for Wolves in front of a crowd of 30,193, the biggest in the stadium since its latest redevelopment. Molineux broke into applause after Costa’s goal put the outcome beyond doubt, the reaction to a brave team performance.
Wolves eliminated Stoke City and Liverpool on their way to the last 16 of the competition but Conte’s Chelsea are a completely different proposition.
“It will be a hell of a team that stops them winning both trophies,” said Paul Lambert, the Wolves manager. “They have a top manager who played the game and understands the emotions on and off the pitch. They are relentless.”
Conte made seven changes from the side that drew with Burnley, with John Terry and Cesc Fabregas making their first starts since the previous FA Cup round against Brentford.
“It is not easy when you don’t play every game,” Conte said. “John and Cesc show me every day in training their commitment. It is great to have these kind of players in my squad. I know I can count on my players in every moment.”
He praised Wolves’ “good organisation and good character” and asked about non-League Lincoln City’s achievement in reaching the FA Cup quarter-finals he essayed a genuflection. “It is incredible. In Italy it would be impossible for this to happen. It shows that anything can happen if you trust in your work and have a great will to fight.”
Conte said he had warned his players beforehand about the dangers of being part of another FA Cup shock but there is not much about this Chelsea team that suggests they are complacent. Results elsewhere in the Championship meant that Wolves slipped a place downwards and the anticipation of Friday’s game against Birmingham City, five places ahead of them in 14th, was already occupying the minds of the supporters.
“There are lots of good things going on at this club,” Lambert said. “It was great that one of the [Chinese] owners was here to see what this club could be like if we got into the Premier League.”
With an impressive number of academy boys in the first team and on the bench, the standout performer for the home team was the Portugal Under-21 Helder Costa, their £13 million record signing, who sought out his namesake Diego at the final whistle for a shirt exchange.
Wolves’ level of aggression was high and there was plenty of determined tracking and tackling and chipping away at the Chelsea midfield. At the back, the two centre-halves Danny Batth and Kortney Hause gave Costa no quarter, and he accepted their challenge gladly.
Their best chance came when Kurt Zouma failed to clear a cross properly and the ball sat up nicely for George Saville on the edge of the area. Perhaps the former Chelsea academy boy had too long to choose his spot and he hit a left-footed half-volley that came off Asmir Begovic’s right post. Even then the ball dropped for Andreas Weimann but he could not get any control over what turned out to be a wild shot.
Lambert was angry that referee Jonathan Moss did not give Weimann a penalty later in the first half when Willian barged into him in the area but on balance it was the right call and in the aftermath the Wolves manager had no complaints on that score.
Wolves’ Costa had just ghosted past Pedro on the right wing minutes before the Spain international scored for Chelsea. It was a well-worked goal, with Diego Costa chasing the ball down into the corner and retrieving it for Eden Hazard. The Belgian, quiet up until then, got it back to Willian on the right who picked out the unmarked Pedro perfectly for a headed goal.
Conte brought on César Azpilicueta for Pedro shortly afterwards and deployed the Spanish defender on the left side of his back three, in order to deal with Helder Costa. N’Golo Kanté came on too and he made the opening for the second goal, the ball going to Fabregas and then onto Costa to finish.
There had been other chances too for Chelsea as Wolves went for the equaliser but no shame in this defeat because not many will find a way to beat Chelsea.
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Independent:
Chelsea see off Wolves to emerge unscathed from day of FA Cup shocks
Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 Chelsea 2: Goals from Pedro and Diego Costa secured victory for the visitors to their keep their dreams of the double alive
Miguel Delaney
Only half a side and a quarter of their usual level of performance, but still on course for the double.
A diminished Chelsea side were far from impressive against an admirably energetic Wolves but goals from Pedro and Diego Costa were enough to put them into the FA Cup quarter-finals. In the end, the home side’s level of application probably ended up working against them, as their tired legs no longer had enough in them to bridge the gap to Chelsea’s level of quality. Antonio Conte’s side at last had the space denied to them in the first half, and took the opportunity.
The opportunity to achieve something historically special is consequently growing, as Chelsea could become the first team to do the league-and-cup double since they themselves achieved it in 2010, and thereby only the second club in history to achieve it at least twice after Manchester United and Arsenal.
The biggest threat to that could well be how special they see it, and how switched on they are by the competition. Conte doesn’t have the best knock-out record having never won a cup, and it was difficult not to think this was a Chelsea that were a slightly easier touch than in the league, even allowing for the numerous changes to the team.
If the FA Cup has generally faded in prestige, though, you would not have sensed it from a raucous home crowd.
Wolves were clearly treating this as a huge occasion, and more than playing up to that. From the off, they properly rattled Chelsea and got right up against them in a way almost no one in the Premier League really has since they went to 3-4-3.
This wasn’t a team Conte would have played in the Premier League, given that there were only five regular starters in the league leader’s XI, and many of the stand-ins did look somewhat rusty, but that isn’t enough to explain how on top Wolves were.
They really went for it, and could have gone out of sight in the first half. They had that many moments of danger, that many flashes.
The biggest opportunity, however, was undeniably the first. On five minutes, the entire Chelsea box just opened up for their former youth player George Saville, as he lay in wait 12 yards from goal. Rather than ease it past Asmir Begovic in the way that seemed set up for him, though, Saville slightly sliced at it to see the ball cannon back off the post. Andreas Weimann then put the rebound over.
Far from diminishing Wolves’ early initiative, though, it only emboldened them. They kept coming at Chelsea, evidently looking to exploit the legginess of John Terry at the centre. The ball seemed to spend a lot of the first half pinballing around Begovic’s area, and just awaiting that final touch.
It eluded both Danny Batth and Jon Dadi Bodvarsson in two different inviting moments.
Before those, Weimann had gone down in the box under a shoulder from Willian only for referee Jonathan Moss to wave away complaints.
It would have been unfortunate because there had been a foul from Weimann just a second before, and Willian had been one of the few Chelsea players - bar perhaps the industrious Victor Moses - really on it.
He could have scored after just 12 minutes when a beautiful touch in the air put him through on goal, but Cark Ikeme did well to divert the ball. Beyond that, the majority of Willian’s teammates were diverting the ball where Chelsea didn’t want it.
Eden Hazard, Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa were all guilty of sloppy touches or passes, and it just didn’t look like they were as alert as Wolves.
The problem with that extent of alertness early on, however, is that it tends to exhaust you.
Wolves impressively continued playing the way they were into the second half, but it could already be sensed that they weren’t as sharp, weren’t quite as assured.
The key moment illustrated it.
On 64 minutes, the otherwise quiet-by-his-standards Helder Costa embarrassed stand-in wing-back Pedro with a quick turn on the right, only for the ball to just end up down the Wolves end of the pitch.
It was then that Pedro got instant revenge. With Wolves struggling to get back in the manner they had been, Costa fed Willian on the right, who then clipped the ball over. Pedro was there, completely unmarked, to head in.
It was scarcely what Wolves had deserved from the general performance, but it was exactly what their defending from that moment deserved.
At the same time, it was scarcely what Chelsea deserved from their general game, but said much that they finally broke through once they put together a constructive move for the first time.
It said much that Conte still felt he had to bring on N’Golo Kante towards the end, and it paid off when he made a crucial interception just minutes after Fabregas had missed a fine opportunity.
Within seconds, Costa had finally got free himself, sliding the ball into the corner.
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Mail:
Wolves 0-2 Chelsea: Pedro and Diego Costa secure FA Cup progress for Antonio Conte's side as the Spain stars ensure Blues negotiate tricky tie
By Rob Draper for The Mail on Sunday
It had all the ingredients: a famous old ground packed and passionate; a Championship side, buoyed by two previous Premier League scalps, playing well above themselves again; and the Premier League leaders, with seven changes made and their eyes seemingly on greater triumphs, distinctly perturbed.
And yet Antonio Conte and Chelsea didn’t catch the romantic mood of the day. Chelsea looked like they might submit. The inspirational Helder Costa looked like he might be the man of the moment. But cold-hearted Chelsea are simply too clinical at present to be indulgent.
After all, there is a Premier League and FA Cup double for which to aim in the absence of European football. Carlo Ancelotti managed that in his first season at the club in 2010.
At present there seems no reason why Conte shouldn’t do the same. Only Manchester United and Arsenal have won the double twice. We may well be adding Chelsea to that list come May. They weren’t especially good yesterday. They performed some way below their Premier League norm, though Cesc Fabregas was excellent. But they were good enough.
And when their moment came, with an extraordinarily-swift counter-attack goal scored by Pedro on 65 minutes, they were exquisite. Better sides than Wolves would have failed to contain them in that mood.
They finished it all off on 89 minutes, when N’Golo Kante, driving into the penalty, exchanging passes with Fabregas and provoking a loose clearance which fell for Diego Costa at close range.
He scored, inevitably, and Molineux, almost to a man and woman, stood and applauded; not the goal, but the efforts of their team. They had harried and pressed and given their all. But against this Chelsea, that merely buys you the right to compete. Victories require more, as Paul Lambert acknowledged.
‘They're relentless,’ he said. Lambert and Conte had crossed swords before in the 1997 Champions League final when Borussia Dortmund beat Juventus. The Wolves manager prevailed that day; but not yesterday.
‘Some of their top lads didn't play for them but look at their team. I thought it might be a tad weaker but dear oh dear; their front three alone. It's going to be one hell of a team to stop them from getting both trophies.’
Conte, understandably, doesn’t want his players looking quite that far ahead. ‘I think it's early to talk about this,’ he cautioned.
‘Honestly, above all, after this game, it's important to understand nothing is easy. If someone thinks in the Premier League Chelsea for sure will become the champions and in the FA Cup for sure you can win this trophy, it'll be very difficult.
'But we stay there and we want to try to arrive at the end, to try to win some trophies. When you stay in a great club, your work is this: to try to fight until the end to win trophies.
‘After the results this afternoon, I tried to warn the changing room about the difficulty of this game and this competition. In England, an easy game does not exist.
'That's the truth. We were very good to suffer in the first half because they started the game very well, with great intensity. They hit the post after five minutes. And we were lucky. But then, in the second half, we played our football.’
And Wolves provided ample food for thought. Their impressive performance might provide a blueprint for the odd Premier League side.It should also provide for some self-reflection on their own position, now 19th in The Championship.
The club’s owner, Fosun President Wang Qunbin, attended his first match yesterday. He can’t have failed to be impressed with the fervour. But it won’t sound as good, nor be as lucrative, in League One.
‘What’s happened in the Cup run generated the atmosphere we had tonight,’ said Lambert. ‘To knock out two Premier League teams and play another one here, made this a special game. To see that that stadium full like that and the noise it generates, it’s a special place to play football.’
It is indeed and the players responded. There was Danny Batth and Kortney Hause seemingly prevailing in their non-stop physical battle with Diego Costa; there was Andi Weimann, scurrying about effectively; and then there was Helder Costa, pulling Chelsea’s back three one way, then the other.
Pedro eventually decided the most-effective weapon was the old-fashioned hack and earned himself a yellow card.
But principally there was George Saville, excellent in midfield, with that fifth minute strike. Kurt Zouma made a mess of the clearance, which sat up kindly for the former Chelsea trainee Saville. The ball fairly flew off his left foot as he connected sweetly, but the shot skewed a faction and rebounded off the inside of the post.
There would be other chances: Willian’s barge into Weimann on 22 minutes which might have been a penalty and Matt Doherty’s cross with which Jon Dadi Bodvarsson could not quite connect. But Saville’s strike was their moment.
As such, Chelsea rode out the periods of disarray. Costa and Eden Hazard struggled to find a foothold. Willian missed a good chance when Fabregas played him in. But, come the 65th minute, having plodded and scrapped and not much more, they found their better self.
Costa chased down a weighted pass from the back and found Hazard. He turned the ball on to Willian. Pedro, playing at wing back, had sprinted a good 60 yards to join the play and Willian picked himout with a dinked cross. Unmarked, the Spaniard simply headed home. The speed of the counter attack was devastating.
It didn’t puncture Wolves entirely. Still the laboured, still they tried. But the balance of power had turned and Chelsea had wrested control of the situation.
As such, Costa’s late strike was unsurprising even if harsh on Wolves. Bigger challenges lie ahead. But greater glories also beckon. Someone might stop Chelsea in this mood but at present it is not at all clear who.
There is the slight sense that Chelsea are just dropping their form a bit. The instant response to that, however, is that it comes as their chance to make history is only growing.
Wolves (4-2-3-1): Ikeme 7.5; Coady 7, Batth 7.5, Hause 7.5, Doherty 7; Price, Saville 7.5 (Saiss 84); Helder Costa 8, Edwards 7, Weimann 7.5 (Wilson 77); Bodvarsson 6.5 (Ronan 84, 6)
Subs not used: Stearman, Evans, Enobakhare, Burgoyne, Wilson
Chelsea (3-4-3): Begovic 7; Zouma 6.5, Terry 6, Ake 6; Moses 6.5, Fabregas 8, Chalobah, 5.5, Pedro 7.5 (Azpilicueta, 72, 6.5); Willian 6 (Kante, 79), Costa, 7.5, Hazard 7 (Loftus-Cheek 86)
Subs: Kenedy, Batshuayi, Cahill, Eduardo
Goals: Pedro 65, Costa 89
Referee: Jonathan Moss
Man of the Match: Helder Costa
Attendance: 30,193
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Mirror:
Wolves 0-2 Chelsea: Diego Costa and Pedro goals keep double hopes alive
The Blues were made to fight hard but Antonio Conte's side avoided an upset to qualify for the quarter-finals
MIKE WALTERS
Not exactly a travesty, but nothing like a smooth ride.
Pedro's header midway through the second half and a late second from Diego Costa ensured Chelsea did not join the cast of Premier League fall-guys in the FA Cup .
But they had to survive a red-blooded onslaught from Wolves for 45 minutes before they finally managed to ride their luck, ride out the storm and take their place in the last eight.
After the men in old gold had pulled off expert heists at Stoke and Liverpool, the half-and-half scarf salesmen were out in force.
And they have not sung 'Hi ho, Wolverhampton' to the strains of Jeff Beck with such gusto for a while as the guttural Black Country choir cleared their throats before kick-off.
Chelsea generalissimo Antonio Conte paid Wolves the compliment of fielding a strong side, but the Premier League champions-elect were rattled inside five minutes when the unmarked George Saville rattled the post from 12 yards and Matt Doherty blazed the rebound over the top.
Carl Ikeme was soon required to intervene at the other end, thwarting Willian's attempted lob, but Wolves were incensed when the Brazilian got away with a challenge on Andi Weimann in the Blues' 18-yard area, only for referee Jon Moss to ignore their penalty claims.
With the naked eye and on TV replays, it looked as if Weimann had a strong case for a spot-kick, but Wolves boss Paul Lambert's protests to fourth official Darren Bond were as animated as they were futile.
Chelsea were poor for 45 minutes. They were rattled at the back, hustled out of their stride in midfield and forced to feed on scraps.
Apart from that one Willian chance, they barely had a sight of goal until Diego Costa, twisting and turning past two markers, fired into the side netting after an hour.
And it was a travesty when Pedro, who had been a weak link at left wing-back defensively, popped up unmarked to head the Blues in front from Willian's cross 20 minutes after the break.
From that moment onwards, Chelsea looked comfortable. And it was no surprise when Costa made it 2-0 with a smart finish a minute from the end of normal time.
1. Two sides to Pedro
He popped up to head Chelsea in front – against the balance of play – and deserves credit for venturing forward from an unfamiliar patrol as left wing-back.
But Pedro did not look comfortable in the role where Marcos Alonso has excelled for Chelsea this season.
He gave the ball away too often, did not enjoy his beat when Helder Costa was running at him and he was fortunate that Nathan Ake was on alert form and dealt with any gaps Pedro left behind.
2. Diego wins the battle of the Costas
In the duel of Wolves' record £13 million signing and Chelsea's incendiary top scorer, it was Diego Costa who just about came out on top.
When the Premier League leaders were struggling to get the gearbox out of neutral for 45 minutes, their warrior centre forward was one of the few in blue shirts who put himself about until Chelsea finally got hold of the game after an hour.
He does not save his snarling, combustible persona for top-flight defenders – he had a running battle with Wolves skipper Danny Batth.
And he deserved his 89th minute goal, devoured with customary aplomb, to make the tie safe.
Helder Costa, on the other hand, made less headway as the game wore on – although you can see why he has already scored nine goals this season and he will become a crowd pleaser in the Black Country.
3. Terry's full kit days coming to an end
Former England captain John Terry, making only his third appearance of 2017, is in the twilight of his career at 36.
The days when he pulls on his full kit for 90 minutes of hard graft - instead of photo opportunities at trophy presentations – are becoming fewer and further between.
Restored to the armband at Molineux, he made a ropey old start as George Saville was afforded far too much space to crash an early shot against the post.
The old warhorse still knows his way around the pitch – but in a reshuffled back line, he did not always look at ease.
4. Conte leaves back door ajar
Chelsea look unstoppable in the title race, but they were far from convincing at the back at Molineux – partly because pied piper Antonio Conte changed his back three.
Gary Cahill, Cesar Azpilicueta and David Luiz have been magnificent in the Premier League, and on paper John Terry, Kurt Zouma and Nathan Ake should have been capable alternatives.
But there was not the same chemistry, nor the same assurance, from Conte's rejigged defence. Much of their discomfort in the face of Wolves' first-half onslaught stemmed from their uncertainty at the back.
Where the back door invariably remains locked and bolted in the Premier League, you often felt it was ajar here.
5. Lambert on the rise again
After three years of fighting relegation at Aston Villa, and an inconclusive stopover at Blackburn, Paul Lambert is due a managerial assignment where the line on the graph curves upwardly again.
Wolves are far from safe in the foothills of the Championship, but on the evidence of their Cup run they are far too good to go down.
For long periods here, they were committed, vibrant and inventive. Finish the season strongly, and there is no reason why a famous old club should not be in the shake-up for the play-off places this time next year.
Chelsea ratings
Begovic 6 – Enjoy your parole from the bench, Courtois will be back next week
Zouma 7 – Commanding in the air but little comfort with all hands on deck
Terry 7 – This is your captain sinking – still a good organiser but legs are gone
Ake 7 – Composed under fire and covered well for the floundering Pedro
Moses 6 – Pace and mobility, but strangely reluctant to go past full-backs on outside
Chalobah 5 – Poor audition for regular starting role, too much of game passed him by
Fabregas 6 – Hit and miss with final pass – more miss than hit, to be honest
Pedro 6 – Booked. All over the shop like a trolley dash until he headed Chelsea in front
Willian 8 – Picked out Pedro with top-quality cross to break home side's resistance
Costa 8 – MOM Exemplary application, roughed up Batth and deserved his late goal
Hazard 5 – Back to bad old days of last season, nowhere near enough rocket fuel
Subs: Azpilicueta (Pedro, 73) 6, Kante (Willian, 80), Loftus-Cheek (Hazard, 85)
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Star:
Wolves 0 Chelsea 2: Blues keep double dream alive with hard-fought victory at the Molineux
CHELSEA remain on course to join the elite of English football.
By Harry Pratt
After this hard-fought Fifth Round victory at Championship Wolves – courtesy of second-half strikes from Pedro and Diego Costa – Antonio Conte’s men are now just three wins from lifting the FA Cup.
And all things being equal in the on-going title race, which they lead by eight points, they are set to join the very highest company.
Not many clubs have completed the League and Cup double in more than a century of trying – and even fewer have done it twice. Only Manchester United and Arsenal have achieved the feat on more than one occasion.
Well, it would take a brave punter to bet against Conte’s Chelsea turning that exclusive duo into a trio come the end of May.
Make no mistake, while the Premier League is the priority Conte is clearly hellbent on lifting the Cup too – and joining former Chelsea boss and fellow Italian Carlo Ancelotti as the only boss to win the Double in his debut season.
If he does, then he will look back at this showdown in the Midlands as one of those pivotal days. For, after making seven changes, his Chelsea outfit at times looked in real danger of becoming the latest victim of this year’s giantkilling acts.
Championship Wolves produced another blinder and will find it hard to believe they did not force a replay at the very least. They hit the post, had a strong penalty appeal rejected and, for an hour, matched their illustrious opponents.
Wolves kicked off having lost three league games on the bounce – and no doubt some of the confidence gained from their amazing victory over Liverpool in the Fourth Round.
Wolves, only five points above the Championship drop zone, flew out of the traps – and nearly broke the deadlock in the sixth minute.
A fine move down the right ended with the ball falling perfectly to the feet of midfielder George Saville, a former Chelsea youth player, who could not have struck his effort more sweetly but it crashed against the post of Asmir Begovic’s goal before Andreas Weimann blazed the rebound over.
That reprieve brought the visitors to life and five minutes on it was one of their fringe first-teamers, Cesc Fabregas, who split the Wolves rearguard with a stunning trademark pass.
Willian controlled in one motion but alert home keeper Carl Ikeme diverted the Brazilian’s shot out of harm’s way.
Despite plenty of possession, the visitors were unable to create anything as clear-cut again before the break.
By contrast Wolves did. They had a penalty appeal rejected after Willian sent Saville tumbling and then went close to an opener after 35 minutes.
Weimann’s cross into the six-yard box was begging to be headed into an empty net but Iceland striker Jon Dadi Bodvarsson failed to make contact.
The second half began much like the first with Wolves in the ascendancy. But that control did not last long as Chelsea gradually began to take a firm grip of proceedings.
Spain striker Diego Costa hit the side-netting on the hour mark before the Blues finally pierced Wolves’ resilient defence five minutes later.
Willian was the creator, whipping in a pin-point cross to the far post where unmarked Pedro calmly nodded in. It had been coming but one still felt for Wolves – and even more so when Costa added a second at the death.
Wolves boss Paul Lambert said: “I could not have asked for anymore. The gameplan was unbelievably performed – we were just up against a world-class side. “We gave it a good go but at big moments, we had to score.
“If George Savile’s shot had gone in, we would have something to hold on to. We played with intensity but needed breaks to go our way.”
Captain for the day John Terry said: “For players like me and Cesc Fabregas, who have not been playing, we need to come in, do well, keep the run going and give the manager food for thought.”
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Express:
Wolves 0 - Chelsea 2: Pedro and Costa send Conte's men into the FA Cup quarter-finals
THE passion of Antonio Conte has charmed the game in his debut season in English football and it could lead Chelsea to the glory of The Double.
By JIM HOLDEN
His team are already far ahead of the rest in the Premier League title race and this impressive victory against a fired-up Wolves sent them cruising into the quarter- finals of the FA Cup.
There may be shocks and giantkillers galore in the Cup this year, but the strength and determination of Conte’s team meant no upset here.
Chelsea are too focused, too formidable and too stylish to be knocked off course.
Pedro and Diego Costa scored the goals here in the second half, and who would bet now against Chelsea claiming another Double.
For Wolves it was simply a step too far. They had won away to Liverpool in the previous round, no mean feat, and began with pace and purpose against the Premier League leaders.
Their best chance came early. They should have taken the lead in the fifth minute but George Saville, once a youth player with Chelsea, sent his left-foot drive crashing against the post.
Chelsea’s version of weakening their team for the FA Cup included a starting place for ex-England captain John Terry as well as Spanish star Cesc Fabregas, described as a “football genius” by Conte.
Their side was anything but shabby, and certainly no insult to the traditions of the Cup or their opponents.
After the early scare from Saville, and perhaps because of it, they responded with some slick passing football, Fabregas at the heart of the action. One superb pass set Willian running free on the Wolves goal, but keeper Carl Ikeme snuffed out the danger.
Wolves were far from overawed, relishing the physical confrontations with superstar visitors.
The trickery of the home team’s Costa was a threat to Chelsea. Helder Costa tested the keeper with one stinging shot from the left and almost created another chance with a clever free-kick.
A capacity crowd at Molineux roared its delight at the spirit and energy of their team. Occasional flashes of style from Chelsea were also appreciated – and feared.
The start of the second half mirrored the first. Wolves rampaged and then Chelsea responded with a spell of possession. Chances, though, were a rarity at either end.
Diego Costa drove a shot into the side-netting on the hour after a sublime pass from Fabregas, and it was a warning of the goal soon to come.
Five minutes later, a crisp counter-attack scythed open the Wolves defence.
When the final cross came from Willian, there was no-one left to mark Pedro as he headed home easily from close range. A moment of class had made the difference.
It symbolised Chelsea’s football this season – such a strong unit in defence and midfield allowing them the platform to capture the initiative in a flash.
Could Wolves fight back?
Only a brilliant defensive header from Kurt Zouma prevented an opportunity for Wolves striker Jon Dadi Bodvarsson, but Chelsea were now in command with their slick possession play.
The second goal came a minute from time, swept home by Diego Costa inside the penalty area as the exhausted Wolves defence left a gap for him to exploit.
Applause rang out from both sets of fans at the final whistle for a fine match that embellished the FA Cup.
There is life in the old competition yet despite its detractors.
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Express and Star:
Wolves 0 Chelsea 2
Chelsea broke Wolves' hearts with two second half goals as Paul Lambert's team were dumped out the FA Cup.
Wolves more than held their own against far superior opposition, creating a number of chances and hitting the post in the fifth minute.
But Chelsea's quality eventually told with Pedro and then a late Diego Costa goal given them a 2-0 win on the day of Molineux's biggest crowd since 1981.
Analysis
Time to concentrate on the league then, as they say.
Wolves' FA Cup run - and yes two games constitutes as a run for a club that hadn't won a single game in this competition since 2011 - was great while it lasted.
Those who were at Stoke and Liverpool have memories that will last forever.
A fair few will remember this day too, despite the 2-0 scoreline.
That's because Wolves gave Chelsea a hell of game here. For the first hour you couldn't put a fag paper between the two teams, even though one cost £176m to assemble and the other £18m.
Wolves gave absolutely everything to the cause in what wasn't just a remarkable battling performance but also a brave attacking one. On another day, if George Saville's shot goes in instead of hitting the post it could have been a famous evening in WV1. But at the very least it was an evening to be proud.
They could also be proud of themselves. A total on 30,193 were in attendance - a stadium record for the rebuilt Molineux and Wolves' biggest home crowd since 1981.
Lambert made five changes from the team that lost 2-1 to Wigan in midweek.
As expected Kortney Hause, who played in rounds three and four, came into the XI, with Danny Batth his partner for the skipper's first game in the FA Cup this season.
Jack Price got the nod ahead of Lee Evans in midfield, while as against Liverpool David Edwards was chosen in the 10 role. This time he was behind Jon Dadi Bodvarsson, though, as Nouha Dicko failed a fitness test on a hamstring injury.
That meant a place on the bench for teenager Donovan Wilson, while Romain Saiss was included in a squad for the first time this year alongside him.
Chelsea went stronger than many expected. Diego Costa, Eden Hazard, Willian and Cesc Fabregas all started.
Lambert called for his team to play their own, to do what they do well and play the game not the occasion.
Well in the first half Wolves ticked all those boxes.
They weren't fazed by the Blues, they weren't overawed. They were terrier-like without the ball but also brave direct with it, pushing Chelsea back and arguably edging the first 45.
They almost took the unlikeliest of early leads through an even more unlikely source, when George Saville's free 12-yard shot smacked off Asmir Begovic's upright with the keeper motionless.
The home fans were already creating a cacophony of noise and that just raised the level further.
This was no attempt at a 'smash and grab'. Wolves often got as many as six players in and around the Chelsea box. It was a risky tactic which was paying off.
Yes there were scares at the other end, with Willian and Diego Costa going close, but given the respective qualities of the line up Wolves gave a tremendous account of themselves.
The tireless Jack Price excelled in midfield, Helder Costa was a livewire looking to wriggle free when he could and Bodvarsson led the line superbly, while a team they defended manfully.
Considering that many fans were fearing humiliation, this was a very pleasant surprise.
Lambert lived every minute on the touchline, hopping around like a frog on speed. And the fans roared them on at every turn - it was inspiring fare.
And it continued after the break. Wolves came out on the front foot, forcing mistakes and showing a quite remarkable work rate.
To a man they just didn't stop running. Chelsea had not a moment's peace. They resorted to wayward long shots, with Ikeme redundant since that early Willian chance.
At the hour mark it looked like Wolves were tiring. Chelsea were enjoying more of the ball in areas they could hurt Wolves. Diego Costa fired into the side netting and Lambert's team began to struggle to move play upfield.
So it wasn't the biggest of surprises when the Blues took the lead. A lapse of concentration allowed Pedro to head home unmarked from six yards.
Wolves struggled to respond, an excellent Bodvarsson cross which skimmed over Edwards' head aside.
Lambert sent for Donovan Wilson, who made his first team debut and indeed his senior bow (although he did feature for Wolves U21s in the Checkatrade Trophy.
Antonio Conte made two defensive substitutions, sending on Kante and Azpilicueta - they knew they'd been in a game.
And then came Lambert's last throw of the dice - Connor Ronan and Romain Saiss got the last six minutes in place of the spent Saville and Bodvarsson as the boss went for broke with a 3-4-3.
But it was too late - Chelsea were comfortable and the secured victory in the last minute when Costa took advantage of a ricochet off Doherty to fire home.
Molineux spontaneously broke out into applause. Even in defeat their team had done them proud.
Wolves face the Blues again on Friday, in the form of a West Midlands derby against Birmingham City.
That game now becomes the biggest of the season. They all will from now on if Wolves don't start putting some points on the board (wins for QPR and Burton today put them down to 19th, five points off the drop).
Relegation fears must be allayed as promptly as possible. If Wolves showed the heart and desire in their next game against the Blues, they'll be on their way to doing just that.
Key moments
5 - A huge chance goes begging for Wolves as George Saville thumps a shot off the post from 12 yards out after the ball breaks for him in the box. Andreas Weimann fires the rebound over.
12 - Carl Ikeme stands tall to deny Willian one-on-one after Cesc Fabregas’ through ball splits the Wolves defence.
20 - Huge cries for a penalty as Willian appears to bodycheck Weimann. Referee Jon Moss waves them away.
26 - Vital challenge by Weimann to block Victor Moses’ cross after the wideman had cut in dangerously from the right.
35 - Jon Dadi Bodvarsson is inches away from getting on the end of Matt Doherty’s inviting cross from the left.
45 - Diego Costa, with two Wolves defenders in close attendance, volleys Moses’ low cross over the bar.
56 - Pedro and Kurt Zouma both fire well off target from distance as Chelsea struggle to break down a determined Wolves.
62 - Diego Costa slams a shot into the side-netting after latching onto Willian’s pass and twisting and turning in the box.
65 - GOAL Pedro puts Chelsea ahead, arriving at the far post to head home Willian’s cross after an excellent team move.
80 - Willian has a chance to seal it for the visitors but loses his footing as he looks to round Ikeme.
85 - Chelsea break but Fabregas is denied when his shot is blocked by a diving Conor Coady.
89 - GOAL Diego Costa slams home Chelsea’s second from six yards out to seal their passage into the last eight.
Teams
Wolves (4-2-3-1): Ikeme, Coady, Batth, Hause, Doherty, Saville (Saiss 84), Price, Costa, Edwards, Weimann (Wilson 76), Bodvarsson (Ronan 84) Subs not used: Subs: Stearman, Evans, Enobakhare, Burgoyne (gk).
Chelsea (3-4-3): Begovic, Zouma, Terry ©, Ake, Moses, Chalobah, Fabregas, Pedro (Azpilicueta 73), Willian (Kante 80), Diego Costa, Hazard (Loftus-Cheek 85) Subs not used: Cahill, Kenedy, Batshuayi, Eduardo (gk).
Attendance: 30,193 (4,612 Chelsea fans)
Referee: Jonathan Moss (West Yorkshire)
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