IF EVER Wolves were going to get something from Stamford Bridge, Saturday was the day.

Confidence was low, past results were bad, optimism was rapidly sapping out of their supporters and the London media was firmly on the back of Andre Villas-Boas.

Before the weekend the fifth-placed side had not been the Chelsea who have set the Premier League alight in recent years.

Their spark was missing and some of their previous displays had almost resembled a has-been team not only unable to keep up with Manchester City in the transfer market, but also in the top-flight title race.

The game had the makings of a huge upset and potentially a result that could kick-start Wolves’ season.

But instead, it has probably had the opposite effect.

Mick McCarthy couldn’t have described it any better in his post-match press conference.

“I don’t think there was any great air of confidence around the place before the game, but we soon released that valve didn’t we?”

His remarks were referring to the goal that Wolves gifted their opponents after just six minutes.

Panicking in possession, Nenad Milijas gave the ball away in a dangerous area allowing Ramires to charge forward and unleash what looked to be the opener. The ever-impressive Wayne Hennessey spared the Serbian’s blushes and the wrath of McCarthy with a fine save to deny the Brazilian.

But from the resulting corner John Terry was allowed to head in the opener.

It was too easy and from thereon in, Chelsea dictated.

McCarthy refused to blame Milijas, simply insisting that Hennessey had let him off the hook with the save.

However, he was left seething at the way his defence crumbled and allowed the Chelsea captain to head in the opener.

Further first-half goals from Daniel Sturridge and Juan Mata sealed an easy win, but it was that early goal that ruined Wolves’ hopes.

Last month they went to Manchester City and kept them at bay for 50 minutes until another error gifted Roberto Mancini’s men the opener.

From there the high-flying side never looked back, and it was the same on Saturday – the only difference being the time of the first goal.

Cast your mind back to that game at the Etihad Stadium and you will remember that City’s supporters were fuelled with frustration as their team could not break down their stern opposition.

This is what Wolves needed to repeat in west London to have any chance but it all went horribly wrong so early in the game.

Give teams with that type of quality opportunities like that and they will punish you.

What’s worrying for Wolves is that it’s happening far too often and these mistakes could prove costly come the end of the season. McCarthy did well to hold back his frustrations but inside he was clearly fuming.

The performance was far from impressive.