ON this evidence, Wanderers might well be pig sick of the sight of Chelsea by the end of the week.

Carlo Ancelotti’s Blues might have rested some of their big names with Saturday’s Premier League encounter in mind but it did not show as they cruised into the last eight of the Carling Cup without wasting a breath.

For all the pre-match talk of germ warfare, the Blues showed few ill-effects of their weekend win at Blackburn, or the swine flu hysteria that went with it.

Megson made four changes of his own to the side that beat Everton, leaving Kevin Davies out all together and handing Ali Al-Habsi his first start in 17 months in goal.

The Oman international’s last appearance came at Stamford Bridge, as cover for the injured Jussi Jaaskelainen in May 2008, when Wanderers gained a point to secure their Premier League survival.

But Ancelotti’s bold move to rest the likes of Frank Lampard, Petr Cech, Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba from his starting line-up brought about some optimism that a shock might be on the cards.

Their absence did not show in the opening exchanges, however, as the home side swarmed all over Wanderers from the off.

They took a deserved lead on 15 minutes when the first half’s outstanding performer, Salomon Kalou, headed Paulo Ferreira’s cross home well at the far post.

That nearly brought an immediate response from the Whites, when Gretar Steinsson surged forward on the right and put a good ball in to Matt Taylor whose shot was brilliantly smothered by Hilaro.

The Portuguese keeper paid for his bravery, lasting only five more minutes on the pitch before having to be replaced by Ross Turnbull.

Chelsea did not break their stride, and while their second goal on 26 minutes owed much to good fortune, you could hardly say they were not worth it at the time.

Kalou ventured down the left and chipped a cross in towards Malouda, and although he headed straight at Knight, the hapless Wanderers defender could do little but deflect the ball back into the Frenchman’s path to allow him to blast a shot past Al-Habsi.

The shock of Chelsea’s start was such that even Megson took a seat back in the dugout alongside Steve Wigley. By contrast, Ancelotti stood, hands in pockets, safe in the knowledge that barring a complete disaster his side had already done enough to earn a place in the last eight.

But for Al-Habsi’s strong arm, Chelsea would have had a third five minutes before the break as Kalou and Malouda combined again to break through on goal.

Wanderers had little answer but to retreat, and at one point in first-half injury time, had seven players on the edge of their own penalty area as the home side played keep ball 25 yards out.

The introduction of Johan Elmander after the break at least breathed a little fresh air into the Whites’ sails, and the Sweden international helped create a decent chance for Mark Davies on the edge of the box, only to see the young midfield side-foot a tame shot into Turnbull.

But in the blink of an eye, Chelsea broke at lightning pace up the other end and should have made it three when Daniel Sturridge dragged a shot across the face of goal.

And the former Manchester City starlet found himself free on goal again 60 seconds later after a great ball by Deco, only to do exactly the same.

Ancelotti was not about to settle for two, bringing on Didier Drogba for the wasteful Sturridge — emphasising the size of the task at hand. It was not lost on Wanderers’ excellent fans either, who were in fine voice all evening.

The game was well and truly put to bed on 66 minutes when Cole’s cross from the left was missed by Drogba but drilled home by Deco.

The visiting fans carried on undaunted — twice calling for a wave from Megson, who in the spirit of the night, obliged.

Wanderers nearly snatched one at the death as substitute Chris Basham’s cross was turned against the post by Ivan Klasnic but even if it had crept in, it was unlikely to have affected the outcome.

Drogba rubbed salt into the wounds with a late header at the far post — but by then, the visitors’ thoughts had already turned towards Saturday’s return match at the Reebok … and what could be a Halloween shocker if Wanderers are not careful.