The Blues conquer Wanderers

Wolverhampton (United Kingdom), Feb. 19: Second-half goals from Pedro and Diego Costa earned Premier League leaders Chelsea a 2-0 win in a difficult FA Cup fifthround tie at second-tier Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.

Pedro headed in after 65 minutes following an intricate build-up involving Costa, Cesc Fabregas and Willian.

Costa sealed a place in the quarter-finals in the 89th minute after defender Matt Doherty inadvertently deflected a pass into his path.

The prolific Chelsea striker had the time and space to easily stroke the ball into the Wolves goal, finally killing off the Championship side’s brave resistance.

Having accounted for the Premier League scalps of Stoke City and Liverpool in previous rounds, Wolves looked in the mood to add the division’s leaders to that list.

In front of Molineux’s biggest crowd for 36 years, the home side made an electrifying start. Asmir Begovic had already been required to tip a dangerous Conor Coady cross over his bar in the opening exchanges when former Chelsea youngster George Saville found the ball at his feet 15 yards out.

The unmarked midfielder unleashed a powerful left-foot shot that thundered against the lefthand post, with Andreas Weimann blasting a follow-up effort over.

That was the start of an absorbing cup tie, with the Championship side putting their league troubles behind them and going toe-to-toe with a Chelsea team who made seven changes from their least league game.