Chelsea plunged unlucky Wimbledon deeper into the relegation mire with a deadly late triple salvo at Stamford Bridge.

Dons' new signing Andreas Lund had looked like repaying a huge chunk of his transfer fee with a goal on his debut, smashing home on 73 minutes after Dennis Wise gave away possession deep in his own penalty area.

But the Dons lead lasted only five minutes as Chelsea came from behind to win for the first time this season to close the gap on third-placed Arsenal to just one point.

Gustavo Poyet levelled the scores with a thunderous volley from 22 yards on 78 minutes after George Weah had headed the ball back to the Uruguayan.

And within moments Gianluca Vialli's side were in front, substitute Jody Morris crossing for Weah to head home from five yards.

Wimbledon were stunned, Chelsea rampant, and it was no surprise when Morris completed the comeback with a thumping drive from just outside the area to leave the visitors looking anxiously over their shoulders at the relegation dogfight.

The less said about the first half the better, particularly from the home side's point of view as they failed to register a single shot on target.

Lund was thrown straight in at the deep end, the £2.5million capture from Norwegian side Molde named in the starting line-up by manager Egil Olsen as the Dons looked to bring an end to Chelsea's 10-game unbeaten run.

Lund soon gave the home defence a taste of what they were in for after a clash of heads with Emerson Thome saw the Blues defender come off worst and in need of treatment with barely a minute gone.

Vialli, meanwhile, made just one change from the side that won at Spurs last week, Frank Leboeuf in for Marcel Desailly at the heart of the defence.

Chelsea created the first real opening after nine minutes, Didier Deschamps' clever chip finding Poyet in the area but as he brought it under control Hermann Hreidarsson flicked the ball off his toes for a corner.

The Dons were certainly not overawed and a minute later Lund threw himself at Martin Andresen's cross but his diving header was wide.

Most of Chelsea's attacking intentions were frustrated by an inability to break down Wimbledon's well-organised offside trap, Weah frustratingly caught out time and again like a first-year trainee.

A sell-out crowd had yet to witness the creation of a single clear-cut chance and the fans were reduced to cheering the appearance of substitute Gianfranco Zola as he warmed up on the touchline.

Cort's backheel released Kimble down the left but Ed De Goey was quickly out to gather the outswinging cross.

Chelsea's best chance of success looked like coming from midfield as Petrescu burst onto Deschamps' through-ball before going down on the edge of the area under Hreidarsson's challenge, referee Peter Jones waving away the home side's protests.

Belatedly Chelsea had come to life and put pressure on the visitors' goal, Cunningham clearing Weah's dangerous cross and Sullivan punching clear well under pressure.

Leboeuf then headed over from Harley's corner on 36 minutes before Robbie Earle squandered the best chance of the half hitting a volley tamely straight at De Goey after Cort flicked on Kimble's cross.

Lund was then booked in first-half stoppage time for a challenge on Leboeuf as the first half mercifully petered out.

Chelsea began the second half with a greater sense of purpose and pinned back Wimbledon inside their own half for long periods.

But for all their possession the Blues still failed to trouble Neil Sullivan unduly, most moves breaking down just outside the area in front of the massed ranks of Dons defenders.

It was no surprise, therefore, to see the introduction of Zola after 62 minutes to the delight of the crowd, although not apparently to the delight of the replaced Petrescu who headed straight down the tunnel.

Zola's first significant contribution brought about Chelsea's first effort on target, his cross headed goalwards by Sutton but straight at Sullivan who saved easily.

Vialli then made a double substitution with 20 minutes to go, Morris replacing Deschamps and Tore Andre Flo replacing Sutton who left the field to a chorus of "What a waste of money" from the Dons faithful.

Those fans soon had more reasons to be cheerful as the visitors then finally broke the deadlock on 73 minutes with Chelsea skipper Wise the villain.

Wise was guilty of delaying his clearance too long deep in his own penalty area and was robbed by substitute Neal Ardley. He swung the ball back across goal for Cort to head down and Lund to smash the ball high into the net for a possibly priceless goal on his debut.

But the Dons' lead lasted only five minutes as Poyet equalised in spectacular fashion, hammering home a blistering volley from 22 yards for his 11th goal of the season.

And within seconds the home crowd erupted again as Chelsea took the lead, Morris given time and space to measure his cross to leave Weah a simple free header from five yards out.

Chelsea could have easily added to the scoreline, Flo going close with a low shot that was inches wide of Sullivan's far post.

As the Dons pushed forward in search of an equaliser they left themselves exposed at the back with Weah and Flo threatening to exploit a sudden new-found freedom.

The visitors still posed a threat at the other end, Lund stabbing wide as the ball dropped to him in the area, but Chelsea sealed the win a minute from the end, Morris thumping home the third from just outside the area to give a most unjust gloss to the scoreline.

Teams:

Chelsea (0) 3 Wimbledon (0) 1

Chelsea: De Goey, Lambourde, Thome, Leboeuf, Harley, Petrescu (Zola 63), Deschamps (Flo 71), Wise, Poyet, Sutton (Morris 71), Weah.

Subs Not Used: Cudicini, Clement.

Goals: Poyet 79, Weah 79, Morris 90.

Wimbledon: Sullivan, Cunningham, Andersen, Hreidarsson, Kimble, Willmott, Earle (Francis 84), Euell, Cort, Lund, Andresen (Ardley 68).

Subs Not Used: Heald, Leaburn, Badir.

Booked: Lund, Andersen.

Goals: Lund 73.

Att: 34,826

Ref: P Jones (Loughborough).