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Chelsea secured a much-needed 3-1 victory over relegation-threatened Wolverhampton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge on Monday night, ending their five-match winless streak in the Premier League.
The hosts took the lead in the 24th minute through defender Tosin Adarabioyo, who sidefooted home from close range after a corner. The goal came after a mix-up between Wolves’ Matt Doherty and Jose Sa almost resulted in an own goal. Instead, the ball was cleared for a corner, which eventually found its way to Adarabioyo, who kept his composure and tucked the ball underneath Sa.
However, goalkeeper Robert Sanchez gifted Wolves an equalizer in first-half stoppage time, dropping a corner that allowed Matt Doherty to stab the ball home. The error was a blow to Chelsea’s momentum, and the teams went into halftime level at 1-1.
Chelsea regained their composure in the second half, with defender Marc Cucurella scoring in the 60th minute after a swift move. Winger Noni Madueke sealed the win five minutes later, nodding in a header from Trevoh Chalobah to ensure a 3-1 victory.
Chelsea’s bright start to the match saw them create several chances, with Cole Palmer wreaking havoc between the lines. Both wingers had the beating of their opposite full-backs, and Marc Cucurella’s trademark sense of reckless abandon caused problems for the Wolves defense.
The win lifts Chelsea to fourth place in the Premier League, while Wolves remain in 17th place, just above the relegation zone on goal difference. Chelsea’s dominance was evident throughout the match, with the Blues enjoying a monopoly of possession and chances.
Manager Enzo Maresca had described managing Chelsea in January as a “disaster” due to the constant transfer speculation. However, this win provides a much-needed boost to the team’s morale going into next weekend’s clash against Manchester City at the Etihad.
With this win, the Blues move above Manchester City and back into the Premier League’s top four.
Chelsea’s win was also notable for the performance of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who made his first league start for the Blues and provided a flick-on for Cucurella’s goal. Trevoh Chalobah also returned to Stamford Bridge after a loan spell at Crystal Palace and made an impact, providing the assist for Madueke’s goal.
