Tim Hobbs reporting
 

Hernan Crespo fired Chelsea to the top of the Premiership as Roman Abramovich continued to reap the rewards from his summer spending spree.

The Argentinian grabbed the fourth and fifth goals to leave Wolves still floundering at the foot of the table and take his new team-mates to the summit - even if it was only due to their early start.

Frank Lampard, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Damien Duff had already settled the issue, but with one goal needed to hit the front, Crespo obliged within two minutes of his arrival, tapping home one of umpteen threatening centres from the Republic of Ireland man.

It left the jubilant travelling fans singing "We don't need Eriksson" and a performance packed with sublime interchanges and swift incision must have calmed even Claudio Ranieri's nerve on a day when the England manager was again linked with his job.

The Tinkerman's latest team selection pitted old allies Hasselbaink and Eidur Gudjohnsen up front and after the latter had glanced a header wide, they combined to set up a Lampard's opener, curled left-foot past a helpless Michael Oakes.

Jesper Gronkjaer and Lampard then wasted golden opportunities before Duff's clever ball set Hasselbaink through to slot inside the far post and leave Chelsea to focus on the goals, with the points firmly in the bag.

Within seven minutes of the restart they edged ever close to the summit as Duff bundled in from close ranger after Gudjohnsen had been afforded the sort freedom of Molineux usually reserved for Sir Jack Hayward.

But Abramovich has eclipsed even his financial backing for a football club and after claiming his "useless" twin brother had failed in Prague, the 16.8million man opened his account from close-range.

Wolves rallied in search of pride and what is proving to be the precious commodity of a Premiership goal, but Colin Cameron lost his footing after rounding Carlo Cudicini and both Paul Butler and Steffen Iversen were denied by the crossbar as the millionaires almost fell of their laurels.

But it wasn't to be and Crespo made it five, thumping in a Lampard cross as Wolves again watched in awe as the riches went to the richest.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Damien Duff (Chelsea) - Celebrated a rare full game with a goal and two assists. On this form, looks like a steal, even at 17million

Teams:

Wolverhampton Oakes, Irwin, Butler, Craddock, Naylor, Newton (Cameron 59), Ince, Gudjonsson (Silas 80), Kennedy, Iversen, Camara.
Subs Not Used: Murray, Luzhny, Rae.
Booked: Butler, Ince.

Chelsea Cudicini, Johnson (Huth 73), Terry, Gallas, Babayaro, Gronkjaer (Cole 57), Makelele, Lampard, Duff, Hasselbaink (Crespo 65), Gudjohnsen.
Subs Not Used: Ambrosio, Petit.
Booked: Gronkjaer, Huth, Terry.
Goals: Lampard 17, Hasselbaink 36, Duff 52, Crespo 67, 90.

Attendance: 29,208

Referee: M Messias (N Yorkshire).