Chelsea returned to the Premier League top four with a finally comfortable victory over Wolves.
Enzo Maresca’s team had gone five league games without a win, but took the lead when the VAR awarded a shot by Tosin Adarabioyo that was initially disallowed for offside.
Chelsea then went into their shell and Wolves looked the better team for a while, taking advantage of first-half stoppage time when Matt Doherty pounced from a corner after a Robert Sanchez error.
Marc Cucurella puts Chelsea back in front! 💫 pic.twitter.com/2aWb8gculH
– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 20, 2025
But the hosts improved a lot in the second half (although still far from their best) and Marc Cucurella and Noni Madueke scored in quick succession.
The victory puts Chelsea above Newcastle and Manchester City and leaves Wolves only above the relegation zone on goal difference.
Chelsea exploits Wolves’ Achilles heel
Wolves have conceded 19 goals from set pieces in the Premier League this season, by far the worst record of any team.
His weakness was shown twice at Stamford Bridge. First, a half-cleared corner was returned by captain Reece James and Tosin did well to control before heading wide for his first league goal for Chelsea.
The flag was raised but Matheus Cunha had been slow to clear his area and the former Fulham player was just inside.
Noni Madueke loves scoring against Wolves! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/RXOICqc95Y
– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 20, 2025
That mistake was nothing compared to the one Sanchez made at the end of the half, flicking Cunha’s corner into the feet of Doherty, who couldn’t miss from just a few yards out.
It was the fourth mistake that Sánchez has made that leads to a goal this season; only Ipswich’s Arijanet Muric (5) has committed more.
Chelsea’s second goal was the pick of the night, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall made a good run in his first league start for Chelsea and fired in a cross which Cucurella chested down and poked home.
And moments later, Trevoh Chalaboh rose well to meet Cole Palmer’s free kick and head in, with Madueke clinching right on the line.
Chalobah impressed in his first start since being recalled from Crystal Palace, but it remains to be seen where his long-term future lies.
The Wolves faded a lot in the second half and need to find points early to stay afloat. They will face Arsenal on Saturday.
