The deadlock is broken after just six minutes thanks to a Boswinga own goal
By Mark Ashenden
Wolves rose out of the drop zone with a deserved win to add more pressure on to defending champions Chelsea.
The hosts opened the scoring on six minutes when defender Jose Boswinga directed the ball into his own net from Stephen Hunt's inswinging corner.
Chelsea improved, with Salomon Kalou denied by goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey and Didier Drogba hitting the upright.
Florent Malouda shot wide for the Blues but they ran out of ideas as Wolves wasted chances to score again.
And so the stuttering form shows no sign of improving for the west Londoners, who have won only one of their last nine league games - their worst run for 14 years.
When the two sides met at Stamford Bridge in October, Chelsea won 2-0 to move five points clear at the top of the table. Less than three months on, and Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti sees his men struggling in fifth place and in danger of missing out on Champions League football next season.
Ancelotti admits he must improve
Wolves manager Mick McCarthy's team on the other hand secured their fourth victory in seven games and, although they sit dangerously one place above the relegation zone, their battling qualities and form suggest they could stay up.
Ancelotti had said ahead of this match he felt lucky he still had the Chelsea job but the Italian would have been left reappraising his fortune after only five minutes at Molineux when his side conceded the sloppy opener.
The warning signs had been there as Peter Cech had already had to palm away a stinging shot from Ronald Zubar but immediately afterwards the Blues goalkeeper could only watch in horror as defender Boswinga shinned the ball into his own net from Hunt's corner.
Chelsea struggled to contend with the pressing nature of Wolves' 4-4-2 formation, as well as the slippery surface, and were grateful to see Kevin Doyle shoot tamely at Cech following a surging run towards the box by the impressive Zubar.
The visitors though gradually found more time on the ball with Brazilian midfielder Ramires pulling the strings and they came agonisingly close to an equaliser on the half-hour.
Malouda burst through the left side of the defence for the first time and crossed for Kalou, who toe-poked towards goal only for Hennessey's outstretched leg to deny him.
Wolves remained relatively comfortable as their battling defence only had to deal with a wild John Terry volley flying over the bar and a couple of dangerous crosses from Malouda.
Chelsea began the second half in more determined fashion and soon after Malouda directed a weak shot at Hennessey, they wasted a glorious chance to get on the scoresheet.
It was Lampard, looking fresh from a three-month lay-off, who opened up the increasingly edgy defence with a delicate back-heel through to Kalou but the Ivorian could only slot the ball wide with the goal at his mercy.
McCarthy reveals Terry compliment
Drogba, so often a match-winner for the Blues, looked a forlorn figure but came the closest to turning the match around, hitting the post after taking advantage of a rare slip in concentration from his opponents.
While McCarthy prowled the touchline barking orders, his opposite number watched on motionless and expressionless and, with 25 minutes to go, decided to throw on Nicolas Anelka for Kalou.
The chances did eventually arrive for the visitors, with Malouda wasteful when clean through and then substitute Daniel Sturridge volleyed high and wide to add to their manager's frustrations.
But with Richard Stearman guiding his resolute defence, it was the home side who came through as Drogba ended the game by wasting a good chance from a free-kick on the edge of the box.
Manchester City, Liverpool, Bolton and Manchester United come next for Wolves in the Premier League but McCarthy's men will fear no one after beating Chelsea for the first time in 18 years, while Ancelotti has much to ponder as his players continue to splutter.
90:00+4:06 The game is over, as the referee blows his whistle.
90:00+2:35 Stephen Ward fouled by John Terry, the ref awards a free kick. Nenad Milijas takes the free kick.
90:00+0:40 Foul by Stephen Hunt on Daniel Sturridge, free kick awarded. Didier Drogba produces a shot on goal direct from the free kick.
88:01 Michael Essien concedes a free kick for a foul on Stephen Hunt. George Elokobi restarts play with the free kick.
85:27 Didier Drogba concedes a free kick for a foul on Richard Stearman. Wayne Hennessey restarts play with the free kick.
84:46 Gael Kakuta takes a outswinging corner from the left by-line played to the near post.
84:15 Outswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Frank Lampard, Christophe Berra manages to make a clearance.
83:28 David Edwards challenges Michael Essien unfairly and gives away a free kick. Branislav Ivanovic restarts play with the free kick.
Correction - 81:59 Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Frank Lampard from the left by-line, Didier Drogba produces a header from deep inside the six-yard box that clears the crossbar.
81:59 Frank Lampard takes the inswinging corner, Header from close range by Didier Drogba clears the bar.
81:59 Substitution Nenad Milijas joins the action as a substitute, replacing Sylvan Ebanks-Blake.
79:45 Free kick awarded for a foul by Sylvan Ebanks-Blake on Branislav Ivanovic. Direct free kick taken by Petr Cech.
78:38 Centre by Matthew Jarvis, Stephen Ward challenges John Terry unfairly and gives away a free kick. Petr Cech restarts play with the free kick.
78:38 Substitution Gael Kakuta replaces Florent Malouda.
76:23 Matthew Jarvis takes a inswinging corner.
73:52 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Branislav Ivanovic by Stephen Ward. Jose Bosingwa takes the free kick.
73:22 Daniel Sturridge has an effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the right of the target.
72:54 Unfair challenge on Michael Essien by Stephen Ward results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Michael Essien.
71:47 Stephen Hunt challenges Nicolas Anelka unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Branislav Ivanovic.
71:47 Substitution Ramires goes off and Daniel Sturridge comes on.
Correction - 71:11 Ramires fouled by David Edwards, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Branislav Ivanovic.
71:11 David Edwards gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Ramires. John Terry takes the free kick.
70:33 Florent Malouda produces a left-footed shot from deep inside the penalty box which goes wide of the right-hand upright.
Correction - 68:48 Richard Stearman fouled by Ramires, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick crossed by Stephen Hunt, Ramires makes a clearance. Florent Malouda gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Matthew Jarvis. Direct strike on goal from the free kick comes in from Stephen Hunt,
Correction - 68:48 Substitution Stephen Ward joins the action as a substitute, replacing Kevin Doyle.
Correction - 68:48 Substitution Steven Fletcher leaves the field to be replaced by Sylvan Ebanks-Blake.
68:48 Richard Stearman fouled by Ramires, the ref awards a free kick. Stephen Hunt delivers the ball from the free kick left-footed from left wing, Ramires makes a clearance. Unfair challenge on Matthew Jarvis by Florent Malouda results in a free kick. Direct strike on goal from the free kick comes in from Stephen Hunt,
68:48 Substitution (Wolverhampton) makes a substitution, with Stephen Ward coming on for Kevin Doyle.
68:48 Substitution Steven Fletcher goes off and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake comes on.
66:51 The referee penalises Branislav Ivanovic for handball. Wayne Hennessey takes the direct free kick.
65:27 Didier Drogba has an effort at goal from inside the penalty box that bounces off the post.
65:27 Substitution Nicolas Anelka on for Salomon Kalou.
61:41 Salomon Kalou produces a right-footed shot from the edge of the box and misses to the right of the target.
60:32 Kevin Doyle fouled by John Terry, the ref awards a free kick. Kevin Foley takes the direct free kick. Corner from the right by-line taken by Stephen Hunt, save by Petr Cech.
57:08 Michael Essien fouled by Christophe Berra, the ref awards a free kick. Ashley Cole restarts play with the free kick.
56:07 Salomon Kalou delivers the ball, Florent Malouda takes a shot. Save by Wayne Hennessey.
54:36 Steven Fletcher is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Michael Essien takes the indirect free kick.
54:09 Effort on goal by Michael Essien from outside the penalty box goes harmlessly over the bar.
53:33 Ashley Cole fouled by Kevin Foley, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by John Terry.
52:28 Shot by Salomon Kalou from deep inside the penalty area misses to the right of the goal.
49:48 Matthew Jarvis sends in a cross, clearance by Jose Bosingwa.
49:17 Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Matthew Jarvis, save by Petr Cech.
47:54 Ashley Cole takes a shot. Save by Wayne Hennessey.
47:06 George Elokobi concedes a free kick for a foul on Salomon Kalou. Petr Cech takes the direct free kick.
45:28 Shot from just outside the box by Michael Essien goes over the crossbar.
45:01 The referee starts the second half.
Half Time
45:00+2:03 The ref blows to end the first period.
45:00+0:35 Branislav Ivanovic concedes a free kick for a foul on Kevin Doyle. Wayne Hennessey restarts play with the free kick.
45:00+0:35 Booking Branislav Ivanovic is shown a yellow card.
41:47 The referee blows for offside. Wayne Hennessey takes the indirect free kick.
40:36 The ball is sent over by Florent Malouda.
36:57 Frank Lampard takes a shot. Blocked by George Elokobi. Ashley Cole is ruled offside. Free kick taken by Wayne Hennessey.
35:08 Unfair challenge on Salomon Kalou by Kevin Foley results in a free kick. The free kick is swung in right-footed by Didier Drogba, Wayne Hennessey makes a save.
33:59 Free kick awarded for a foul by Stephen Hunt on Jose Bosingwa. Petr Cech takes the direct free kick.
33:37 Free kick awarded for a foul by Ramires on Stephen Hunt. Wayne Hennessey restarts play with the free kick.
30:00 Corner taken by Frank Lampard. John Terry produces a left-footed shot from inside the area that clears the crossbar.
28:21 Salomon Kalou takes a shot. Save by Wayne Hennessey.
27:30 The ball is crossed by Jose Bosingwa, Christophe Berra manages to make a clearance.
27:12 Kevin Doyle takes a shot. Save by Petr Cech.
25:07 Didier Drogba challenges Stephen Hunt unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Wayne Hennessey.
23:45 Salomon Kalou takes a shot. Stephen Hunt gets a block in. Michael Essien concedes a free kick for a foul on Steven Fletcher. Wayne Hennessey restarts play with the free kick.
22:51 Unfair challenge on Didier Drogba by Ronald Zubar results in a free kick. Ashley Cole takes the free kick.
21:50 A cross is delivered by Ashley Cole, George Elokobi makes a clearance. Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Ashley Cole.
20:28 The assistant referee flags for offside against Salomon Kalou. Indirect free kick taken by Wayne Hennessey.
19:27 Stephen Hunt challenges Florent Malouda unfairly and gives away a free kick. Petr Cech takes the free kick.
18:29 Unfair challenge on Kevin Doyle by John Terry results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Stephen Hunt.
13:10 Corner taken right-footed by Frank Lampard, clearance made by Matthew Jarvis.
12:21 Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Florent Malouda, clearance made by Richard Stearman. Corner from the left by-line taken by Frank Lampard, clearance by George Elokobi.
8:08 Didier Drogba takes a shot. Blocked by Stephen Hunt.
4:19 Ronald Zubar takes a shot. Save made by Petr Cech. Stephen Hunt takes the inswinging corner, assist by Stephen Hunt.
4:19 GOAL - Jose Bosingwa:Wolverhampton 1 - 0 Chelsea Jose Bosingwa puts the ball into his own net. Wolverhampton 1-0 Chelsea.
3:19 Branislav Ivanovic gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Steven Fletcher. Stephen Hunt takes the direct free kick.
0:00 The game gets underway.
Live text and data provided by The Press Association.
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
Bookmark with:
What are these?