Chelsea delivered a commanding second-half performance to defeat Wolves 3-1 at Stamford Bridge, breaking their five-game Premier League winless streak. The result pushes Chelsea into the top four, while Wolves remain perilously close to the relegation zone.
Match Highlights
- Chelsea’s Goals:
- Tosin Adarabioyo opened the scoring, with VAR overturning an offside decision to award his first Premier League goal for Chelsea.
- Marc Cucurella capitalized on Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s flick to score his first goal of the season.
- Noni Madueke sealed the victory with a header following Trevoh Chalobah’s assist.
- Wolves’ Equalizer:
- Matt Doherty leveled just before half-time, taking advantage of a poor decision by Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, who failed to clear a Matheus Cunha cross effectively.
Chelsea’s Performance Analysis
Chelsea dominated early but struggled to maintain consistency:
- Bright Start: Chelsea fired four shots in the opening five minutes, with Cole Palmer testing Wolves’ goalkeeper Jose Sa early on.
- Set-Piece Strength: Chelsea capitalized on Wolves’ set-piece vulnerabilities, scoring twice from such situations.
- Missed Opportunities: Nicolas Jackson had a goal ruled out for offside, extending his six-game Premier League goalless streak.
- Second-Half Control: Chelsea regained composure after the break, scoring twice in five minutes to secure the win.
Manager Reactions
Enzo Maresca (Chelsea)
Maresca defended Robert Sanchez despite the goalkeeper’s fourth error leading to a goal this season:
- “Mistakes happen to everyone. Sanchez has saved us more than four times this season. He’s doing well.”
Maresca also highlighted the positive impact of Chalobah’s return, stating: - “Chalobah brought leadership and energy to the team.”
Vitor Pereira (Wolves)
Wolves’ defensive frailties and captain Matheus Cunha’s behavior concerned Pereira:
- On Set-Pieces: “We must improve our defensive organization during set-pieces. It’s unacceptable.”
- On Cunha’s Attitude: “He left without acknowledging the fans. As captain, his body language must improve.”
Key Takeaways
Chelsea
- Top Four Spot Secured: Chelsea moved two points clear of Manchester City and Newcastle United in fourth place.
- Issues Persist: Nicolas Jackson’s struggles in front of goal and Sanchez’s inconsistency remain challenges for Maresca.
Wolves
- Relegation Woes: Wolves sit 17th, outside the relegation zone only on goal difference.
- Daunting Fixture List: Upcoming matches against Arsenal, Aston Villa, and Liverpool highlight the need for urgent improvement.
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