Chelsea 2 (Sturridge 42, Kakuta 81)
Wolves 0
Young Wolves were beaten but far from disgraced as they slipped to a 2-0 defeat against Chelsea reserves at the London club's Cobham training centre.
The game, which was played behind closed doors, had been switched from the Blues' normal reserve venue of Brentford's Griffin Park as there is an FA Cup tie taking place there this evening.
Making his debut for Wolves was 18-year-old keeper Aaron McCorey and after he had made a confident catch to take a Billy Clifford centre in the third minute, he then saved a low, hard shot from the same player.
When Wolves went forward a John Dunleavy cross was cleared for a corner which was taken by Daniel Jones. The ball fell to Ashley Hemmings but he scuffed his shot and the ball went wide.
Patrick van Aanholt fired over the bar and Daniel Sturridge shot into the side netting as Chelsea resumed the offensive before Hemmings picked up an injury that required lengthy treatment midway through the half. He tried to play on but was forced to withdraw with Jack Price coming on as a substitute.
McCorey thwarted Conor Clifford when he saved at his feet but he could do nothing to stop Chelsea's opening goal in the 42nd minute.
Jack Cork fired over a free-kick and Sturridge was waiting at the far post to score with a side foot volley.
Sturridge almost had a second on the stroke of half-time but McCorey denied him at point blank range.
Half-Time: Chelsea 1 Wolves 0
In the opening minutes of the new half, Cork drove over the bar as did Gael Kakuta after he had been set up by Sturridge.
Dunleavy had to be at his best to clear a dangerous cross from the lively Sturridge, and Chelsea keeper Rhys Taylor had to be alert to save at close range from Kyle Bennett after a good build up from Wolves involving David Davis an Mark Little.
In the 74th minute, Chelsea substitute Jacob Mellis, who had come on for Sturridge, broke clear but in a one on one with McCorey it was the Irish keeper that came out on top.
Bennett had a shot blocked by a defender but any hopes of Wanderers salvaging a point all but disappeared in the 81st minute.
Kakuta picked up a pass from Mellis and, from the right of goal and 25-yards out, he unleashed a terrific shot that flew into the top left hand corner.
In the closing stages there was a booking for either side - Little for Wolves and Mellis for Chelsea - both for late challenges.
Chelsea: Taylor, B. Clifford, Stickland, Magnay, Van Aanholt, Matik (Bridcutt 79), Cork, C. Clifford, Sturridge (capt) (Mellis 59), Borini (Tore 79), Kakuta.
Unused subs: Sedek, Gordon.
Mellis (90 - foul).
Wolves: McCary, Dunleavy (Reckord 75), Friend, Little, Hill, Davies, Mendez-Laing, Bennett, Hemmings (Price 31), Spray (Landell 75), Daniel Jones.
Unused subs: East, McCone.
Booking: Little (84 - foul).
Referee: K. Yeo.
PICTURE: Heads up! Mark Little gets the ball away at Cobham on Monday night. Picture courtesy of Chelsea FC.
