Chelsea put their recent struggles behind them with a dominant 4-1 victory over Wolves at Stamford Bridge, propelling them into fourth place in the Premier League table. The win saw Enzo Maresca’s side climb above Manchester City, putting them in an excellent position ahead of their high-stakes clash at the Etihad Stadium this weekend. Despite several key players missing due to injury, the Blues were in control from the start, showing renewed attacking flair and defensive resilience, despite a moment of controversy involving goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
Chelsea set the tone early in the match, dominating possession and pressing forward with energy, despite being without the services of key players. They took the lead in the 24th minute when Tosin Adarabioyo scored after Reece James’s shot was saved but fell kindly for the defender. The goal was initially ruled offside but stood after a VAR review confirmed the decision.
The Blues looked set to head into the break with their one-goal advantage, but disaster struck in first-half stoppage time when Robert Sanchez made a crucial mistake. Under pressure from Wolves’ Santiago Bueno, Sanchez spilled a corner from Matheus Cunha, allowing Matt Doherty to react quickest and tap in the rebound, leveling the score just before halftime. This marked Sanchez’s fourth error leading to a goal this season, the most in the Premier League alongside Ipswich’s Arijanet Muric.
Chelsea responded positively after the break, regaining their lead in the 60th minute. A clever flick from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, making his first Premier League start for Chelsea, set up Marc Cucurella for a composed finish past Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa. The goal came as the Blues showed a renewed sense of composure, with Cole Palmer exerting more influence on the game and Chelsea beginning to settle into their rhythm.
Just five minutes later, Chelsea extended their lead with another well-executed move. A set-piece delivered by Cole Palmer saw Trevoh Chalobah rise highest at the far post, heading the ball back across goal. Noni Madueke, in the perfect position, nodded the ball over the line from point-blank range. Though Chalobah’s header may have already been crossing the line, the goal was credited to Madueke, marking his second goal in two matches against Wolves. The young forward had previously netted a hat-trick against them at Molineux in August, further cementing his strong record against the Midlands side.
The victory was a vital one for Chelsea as they aim to secure Champions League qualification after a difficult run of form. Maresca’s side will be buoyed by the result, which reaffirms their position in the top four, with their attention now turning to the weekend’s crucial clash with Manchester City. The Blues will be hopeful of welcoming back Enzo Fernandez, Levi Colwill, and Romeo Lavia for the fixture, as all three were sidelined against Wolves.
For Wolves, the defeat served as another painful reminder of their ongoing defensive struggles. The result left them with a league-worst 51 goals conceded in just 22 matches, further underlining their vulnerability at the back. With relegation worries looming, the club will need to address these issues quickly if they are to avoid a more difficult second half of the season.
As Chelsea celebrate a much-needed victory, Maresca’s side must now focus on maintaining their momentum in what promises to be a tense encounter with Manchester City. If they can continue their strong form and overcome key injuries, the Blues will be confident of staying in the hunt for a top-four finish. Meanwhile, Wolves face mounting pressure to address their defensive frailties and improve results as they fight to stay clear of the relegation zone.
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