Terry return inspires Wolves demolition

John Terry showed no signs of being affected by his battle to clear his name over allegations he racially abused Anton Ferdinand as the Chelsea captain led his side to a 6-0 demolition of Wolves in the League Cup third round on Tuesday.

Terry was playing for the first time since the Football Association opened their disciplinary hearing into charges the defender aimed racist comments at Ferdinand during a Premier League match last October.

The 31-year-old spent the morning at Wembley, where the FA are holding their hearing, and then dashed across London in time to link up with his team-mates for the League Cup tie.

Terry, who on Sunday retired from England duty in protest at the FA's charges, was a virtual spectator as he was treated to his side's biggest win for almost 21 months thanks to goals from Gary Cahill, Ryan Bertrand, Juan Mata, Oriol Romeu, Fernando Torres and Victor Moses.

If Terry is found guilty by the FA's independent panel, this could prove his last game for some while as he is likely to be hit with a four-match ban.

But Terry, cleared of the same racist allegations during a court case earlier this year, received a warm welcome from Chelsea fans, who cheered his every touch.

It took Roberto Di Matteo's side just four minutes to open the scoring as Cahill stooped to head home Juan Mata's free-kick.

Chelsea scored again four minutes later when debutant Lucas Piazon kept the ball in and turned it back for the unmarked Bertrand to blast home.

The European champions' third goal arrived in the 17th minute, Mata starting and finishing a flowing move, exchanging passes with both Ramires and Torres before finishing expertly.

Chelsea continued to pile on the misery for their out-classed Championship opponents in the second half when Moses won a penalty after being fouled by Dorus de Vries and Romeu made no mistake from the spot for his first Chelsea goal.

Spain striker Torres made it five when he powered home a 58th-minute header from Mata's corner and substitutes Marko Marin and Oscar combined for Moses to power home his first Chelsea goal on his full debut with 19 minutes remaining.

AFP