Chelsea finally ended their five-game winless streak in the Premier League with a 3-1 triumph over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge on Monday night. The victory marked a much-needed boost for Enzo Maresca’s side, who had struggled to find form since mid-December.
Match Summary
Chelsea took the lead early when Tosin Adarabioyo scored his first Premier League goal for the club. Initially ruled offside, VAR overturned the decision, giving the Blues a deserved advantage. However, Wolves capitalized on a mistake by Robert Sanchez just before halftime, with Matt Doherty poking the ball into the net from close range.
Marc Cucurella restored Chelsea’s lead in the second half with a scrappy finish on his 100th Premier League appearance. Noni Madueke, who had tormented Wolves in the reverse fixture, added a third to seal the win. Although Nicolas Jackson thought he had scored a fourth, his effort was ruled out for offside.
Chelsea Player Ratings (4-2-3-1)
- GK: Robert Sanchez – 6.2/10
Mixed performance. Made a critical error leading to Wolves’ equalizer but was otherwise untroubled. - RB: Reece James (c) – 8.3/10
Dominant display on the right flank. Provided energy in attack and solidity in defense. - CB: Tosin Adarabioyo – 8.0/10
Scored his first league goal for Chelsea and looked solid defensively. - CB: Trevoh Chalobah – 8.4/10
A standout performance. Strong in defense and unlucky not to be credited with an assist after Madueke’s goal. - LB: Marc Cucurella – 8.0/10
Marked his milestone appearance with a goal and was defensively sound throughout. - CM: Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – 7.4/10
Provided balance in midfield and contributed to Chelsea’s attacking transitions. - CM: Moises Caicedo – 7.5/10
Controlled the midfield with effective tackles and distribution. - RM: Noni Madueke – 7.4/10
Scored his fourth goal against Wolves this season and consistently troubled their defense. - AM: Cole Palmer – 7.0/10
Linked play well but faded slightly in the second half. - LM: Pedro Neto – 6.4/10
Struggled to make a significant impact and was substituted early in the second half. - ST: Nicolas Jackson – 6.9/10
Worked hard but lacked clinical finishing. Had a goal disallowed for offside.
Substitutes:
- Jadon Sancho (62′ for Neto) – 6.4/10
Added energy but didn’t significantly influence the game.
Wolves Player Ratings (3-4-3)
- GK: Jose Sa – 6.2/10
Made some decent saves but couldn’t do much to prevent Chelsea’s goals. - CB: Matt Doherty – 7.6/10
Scored Wolves’ only goal and was their best performer on the night. - CB: Santiago Bueno – 5.5/10
Struggled to deal with Chelsea’s attacking threats. - CB: Emmanuel Agbadou – 6.4/10
Solid in patches but was often exposed by Chelsea’s pace. - RM: Nelson Semedo (c) – 6.0/10
Provided little going forward and struggled defensively. - CM: Andre – 6.2/10
Worked hard but failed to influence the game. - CM: Joao Gomes – 8.0/10
Wolves’ best midfielder, showing composure and vision. - LM: Rayan Ait-Nouri – 6.7/10
Offered a decent attacking outlet but was subbed late on. - AM: Pablo Sarabia – 6.3/10
Created a few chances but lacked end product. - AM: Matheus Cunha – 6.6/10
Showed glimpses of quality but couldn’t find the cutting edge. - ST: Jorgen Strand Larsen – 6.2/10
Isolated for much of the game and struggled to make an impact.
Substitutes:
- Goncalo Guedes (74′ for Sarabia) – 6.0/10
- Rodrigo Gomes (74′ for Ait-Nouri) – 6.7/10
- Jean-Ricner Bellegarde (74′ for Andre) – 6.0/10
Player of the Match
Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea) – A commanding defensive display coupled with his involvement in key attacking moments earned him this accolade.
Conclusion
Chelsea’s 3-1 victory over Wolves marked a significant step in their bid to regain form. With a solid defensive display and timely goals from unlikely sources, the Blues showcased their potential. Wolves, on the other hand, must address their defensive vulnerabilities, particularly from set-pieces, to improve their league position.
