We broke the deadlock after 12 minutes when Joao Pedro was fouled and a penalty was awarded. Palmer stepped up and displayed his customary composure to put us ahead.

The Blues dominated the remainder of the opening period. Several chances came and went before Joao Pedro won a second penalty, which Palmer again converted confidently.

A third for the England international, this time from open play, arrived soon after. Marc Cucurella claimed the assist with a cut-back that Palmer fired into the roof of the net to complete his fourth Premier League hat-trick for the Blues, an unmatched feat.

Wolves did pull a goal back in the second half through Tolu Arokodare, but it proved immaterial to the final result, as the Blues saw out the game without any real drama.

An early goal

Rosenior made just two changes to the Chelsea side, although we returned to a back-four shape after lining up with a three-man defence against Arsenal. Pedro Neto and Palmer came back into the starting XI, with Jorrel Hato and Liam Delap making way.

Wolves, as Rosenior highlighted pre-match, have not always got the results their performances deserved. And for ten minutes, they carried a threat in the Blues' half. But then came one errant – and needless – tackle from Doherty on Joao Pedro inside the penalty area.

After a moment's pause, referee Jarred Gillett pointed to the penalty spot. There was little argument. Palmer stepped up and sent Jose Sa the wrong way from 12 yards. Our lead was established – and the Blues were dominant from then on.

The next 20 minutes saw an array of chances created by the Blues. Enzo Fernandez had a shot from distance blocked by Yerson Mosquera, Marc Cucurella was denied by a brave piece of defending from Doherty, and a rabona attempt from inside the Wolves' area from Fernandez required a save from Sa.

Joao Pedro's movement off the ball and guile on it caused the hosts' defence problems throughout the opening 45 minutes. He had a shot from a tight angle, following a neat Fernandez pass, deflected behind. A tricky run from the Brazilian then ended in a shot from distance being blocked.

It was Malo Gusto who next threatened. Andrey Santos was the arcitect of the chance, as he cut a pass through the Wolves defence to the Blues winger, who drilled his shot toward the near post with options squad. Sa reacted well to save.

A second spot-kick

Pressure on the Wolves goal was building, though, and ten minutes before the interval, we struck our second. Again it came from the penalty spot. Again the spot-kick was won by Joao Pedro.

A passage of Chelsea possession saw the ball worked to Gusto, who clipped a hopeful ball over the Wolves' backline. Joao Pedro beat Mosquera and nudged the bal away from the defender, who shoved our No.20 to the ground.

It was a clear penalty and Palmer stepped up once more to dispatch his effort from 12 yards.

That goal ended Wolves' resistence and our third goal quickly arrived. The ball was moved from back to front, with passes played by Neto and Fernandez, before Cucurella was found and cut a pass back for Palmer, who fired his finish into the roof of the net to complete his hat-trick.

Half-time advantage

With a comfortable advantage held at half-time, and perhaps with Leeds United's visit to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday in mind, the Blues didn't need to play with the same intensity in the second period. It was a case of managing the game.

That gave Wolves' an opportunity to try to force their way back into the contest and, nine minutes after the restart, the pulled a goal back. After Mateus Mane saw a shot deflected onto the post, he delivered a corner, which was flicked on at the near post and eventually turned home by Arokodare.

The home crowd were lifted and Wolves were improved in the second period. Yet good defending from the Blues restricted the hosts from building momentum.

Changes made

On the hour mark, Rosenior turned to his bench. Alejandro Garnacho was introduced for Palmer, who was already guranteed to be taking home the match ball.

Wolves attempted to make it uncomfortable for the Blues in the final half-hour. They showed far more attacking endavour compared to the opening period but Sanchez wasn't truly tested. A header from Mosquera that narrowly flew over the bar was the closest they came to a second.

With 15 minutes to play, Josh Acheampong and Liam Delap were introduced for Gusto and Joao Pedro. Jorrel Hato replaced Andrey Santos soon after.

In the closing stages, the Blues pushed for a fourth. Neto headed a presentable opportunity wide and then fired a shot into the side netting. Delap had an effort then saved by Sa.

There was no further addition to the scoring, though. For the Blues, it was very much job done and the right response shown to our midweek disappointment, exactly what Rosenior wanted.

What it means...

We stay fifth in the Premier League, but remain a point behind fourth-placed Manchester United.

What comes next...

It is a quick turnaround for the Blues, as we welcome Leeds United to Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Tuesday night.

The teams

Chelsea: Sanchez; Gusto (Acheampong 75), Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Andrey Santos (Hato 84); Palmer (Garnacho 61), Fernandez (c), Neto; Joao Pedro (Delap 75)
Chelsea substitutes: Sharman-Lowe, Sarr, Badiashile, Estevao Willian, Guiu
Goalscorers: Palmer pen 13, pen 35, 38
Booked: Cucurella 73

Wolverhampton Wanderers: Sa; Doherty (R.Gomes 46), Mosquera, S.Bueno, H.Bueno; J.Gomes (Lima 90+1), A.Gomes (Bellegarde 81); Hwang (Krejci 43), Mane, Armstrong; Arokodare
WolverhamptonWanderers substitutes: Johnstone, Tchatchoua, Wolfe, Andre, Rawlings
Goalscorers: Arokodare 54
Booked: Armstrong (45+3)

Attendance: 29,762 (3.008)