Chelsea sealed fourth place in the Premier League to wrap up qualification for next season’s Champions League with a comfortable victory over Wolves.
Frank Lampard’s side needed a point from the potentially nervy encounter at Stamford Bridge in order to clinch a top-four place – but they stylishly grabbed all three.
Mason Mount’s delightful 25-yard curling free-kick and Olivier Giroud’s effort from close range were just 144 seconds apart on the stroke of half-time and they settled the contest.
The loss means Wolves end the season in seventh place, behind Tottenham on goal difference, after Jose Mourinho’s side drew 1-1 at Crystal Palace.
However, Nuno Espirito Santo’s men face a nervous wait as their league position could still be enough for a Europa League place next season, should the Blues beat Arsenal in the FA Cup final next month.
Chelsea finished on the same points as Manchester United, who beat Leicester 2-0, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side finish third on goal difference.
Chelsea to push on next season?
Despite winning the Europa League last season and finishing third, Chelsea dispensed with the services of Italian Maurizio Sarri and replaced him with club legend Lampard, the Derby manager.
With champions Liverpool and runners-up Manchester City strong and settled sides, Lampard will have been tasked with emulating his predecessor by securing Champions League football next season.
He has achieved that and there is the real possibility of ending the campaign with further success, having reached the FA Cup final at Wembley.
A number of youth players have been introduced into the starting line-up this season including striker Tammy Abraham and defender Reece James, but England playmaker Mount has been the pick of the bunch.
He demonstrated his class just when his side needed it in the crucial game against Wolves.
There was little happening in a cagey and uneventful encounter until the sprightly midfielder curled in a glorious free-kick following Pedro Neto’s foul on Marcos Alonso.
Had there still been any tension in the Chelsea ranks, they were put to bed just two minutes later when France World Cup winner Giroud took the ball past Rui Patricio and slid in his seventh goal in his last eight starts.
New signing Timo Werner was at the game and with Hakim Ziyech also arriving from Ajax as well as the prospect of Germany winger Kai Havertz also signing, Chelsea will possess a formidable attacking line-up next term.
But despite keeping a clean sheet in this game, the 54 league goals conceded this term is only one short of their worst tally – so a centre-back is also likely to be on the agenda, as will a goalkeeper.
The confidence of Kepa Arrizabalaga, the world’s most expensive keeper, will not have improved after being dropped for the game in favour of 38-year-old Willy Caballero, whose only meaning contribution was to claw out Leander Dendoncker’s dangerous cross.
