Having got his hands on the FA Cup just eight months ago, Chelsea captain Dennis Wise was not about to let the holders' grip on the competition slip against Second Division Peterborough.

But although he returned to inspire the Blues to an overwhelming win, it is Chelsea's grasp on Wise's playing career that remains the real bone of contention at Stamford Bridge.

Despite 30 minutes' determined resistance from the visitors, Chelsea eventually won at a canter, with two goals from Gianfranco Zola and further strikes by Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Eidur Gudjohnsen and Gus Poyet.

Wise still needs to commit himself to the Blues following talks with the club after being left out against Aston Villa on New Year's Day, with reports that he is set upon handing in a transfer request next week.

However, Chelsea's main hope is that the 34-year-old will now be more positive about staying put after a recall to his favoured central midfield spot and a rousing reception from the fans.

The question-marks over his future after 10 years at a club where he is an icon for fans largely took the focus away from Peterborough.

However, despite his characteristic pre-match admission that it would be a "miracle if we don't get stuffed", boss Barry Fry could take a measure of pride from his team's display early on.

Their lime green strip may not grace the competition but their spirit certainly did until they tired late on and were largely overwhelmed.

While Wise was playing, it was the turn of Frank Leboeuf and - for the second game running - keeper Ed de Goey to start on the bench.

Wise was at the centre of Chelsea's early domination as he hoisted one chance over the bar, found space in the penalty area only to be denied by keeper Mark Tyler and then headed another opportunity off target.

At this stage, Peterborough were showing considerable composure as they managed to hold their own but, after Hasselbaink flashed a drive wide, the game turned in the space of two minutes.

Former Wimbledon striker Andy Clarke first embarked on an unerring, mazy run which took him to the edge of the Blues' penalty area.

However, instead of shooting, he slipped the ball to team-mate Leon McKenzie, who had strayed into an offside position before shooting wildly over the bar.

That was all the prompting Chelsea needed to finally make their supposed class tell.

Poyet's through-ball set Zola clear and, having outpaced Gareth Jelleyman, he produced the perfect finish to clip the ball over keeper Tyler.

Then Wise made his impact as he spotted Hasselbaink's run and chipped the ball over the entire Peterborough defence into the path of the Dutchman.

Hasselbaink, who had managed to avoid the offside trap, had considerable time to control the ball and then shoot past Tyler.

Chelsea took their time to extend their lead as Zola struck the side-netting and Albert Ferrer had a penalty claim turned down as he, as well as substitute Graeme Le Saux, returned after injury.

But Peterborough could not cope with the extent of Chelsea's possession as they passed the opposition to death.

After Tyler had produced a superb save from Zola's free-kick, he was completely exposed as substitute Gudjohnsen clipped Poyet's cross home.

Poyet was then on the receiving end as he headed home a cross by Ferrer on 73 minutes, before Zola made it five with six minutes left after a frantic scramble in the area.

Peterborough were left hoping for the final whistle. In fact, the only good news was that Fry's pre-match promise to run naked around Stamford Bridge if his side won had not been fulfilled.

Teams:

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).