Gianfranco Zola bagged a brace as Chelsea humbled the Posh with a bunch of five.

The Italian started and finished the scoring as the Blues eased past Barry Frys outclassed side with the minimum of fuss.

Two goals in eight minutes just before the break - from Zola and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and two in as many second half minutes, courtesy of Eidur Gudjohnsen and Gustavo Poyet, made sure there would be no hint of an upset.

All the pre-match talk had been of Dennis Wise's apparent desire to go on the transfer list, but from kick-off no-one could doubt his commitment to the Chelsea cause.

Back in the centre of midfield, Wise ran the show and should have given the Blues an early lead, but hoisted one early chance over the bar before Hasselbaink hit the post with a drilled shot from a tight angle.

For all Frys ranting on the touchline, Peterborough struggled to maintain possession and subsequently found themselves under a barrage of pressure.

That said, Leon McKenzie will rue the moment he strayed off-side and wasted a golden chance to snatch a dramatic lead for the visitors.

His profligacy was almost instantly punished as Zola was played in by Poyets quick free-kick and produced a dinked finish that gave Tyler no chance.

The lead was doubled in first-half injury-time as the Poshs static back-line was caught flat-footed by Wises lofted pass and Hasselbaink finished unerringly.

Fry introduced Tony Shields and Howard Forinton at the break, but the best the Posh could create came through captain Andy Edwards who beat Leboeuf but couldnt capitalise.

Chelsea subsequently moved up a gear and Gudjohnsen touched Poyets cross past the exposed Tyler, before the unmarked Uruguayan nodded in Albert Ferrers centre.

Zola made sure the Blues began the defence of their title in the most impressive manner possible by finishing a frantic scramble in the penalty area.

Chelsea: Cudicini, Ferrer, Babayaro (Le Saux 63), Desailly (Leboeuf 45), Terry, Poyet, Jokanovic, Wise, Harley (Gudjohnsen 67), Hasselbaink, Zola
Subs Not Used: de Goey, Morris
Goals: Zola 37, Hasselbaink 45, Gudjohnsen 72, Poyet 74, Zola 84

Peterborough: Tyler, Jelleyman (Hooper 63), Drury, Edwards, Gill, Forsyth, Oldfield, Farrell, Clarke, Green (Forinton 45), McKenzie (Shields 45)
Subs Not Used: Rea, Connor

Att: 31,912
Ref: C Wilkes (Gloucester)