Chelsea returned to the top four of the Premier League with an ultimately comfortable win over struggling Wolves.
Enzo Maresca’s side had gone five league games without a win but took the lead when VAR awarded a shot from Tosin Adarabioyo that was initially ruled offside.
Chelsea then went into tight corners and Wolves looked better for a while, taking advantage of first-half stoppage time when Matt Doherty climbed in from a corner following a mistake by Robert Sanchez.
Marc Cucurella puts Chelsea back in the lead! 💫 pic.twitter.com/2aWb8gculH
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 20, 2025
But in the second half the hosts showed clear progress – although still far from their best – and Marc Cucurella and Noni Madueke scored points in quick succession.
The win puts Chelsea ahead of Newcastle and Manchester City and Wolves are above the relegation zone only on goal difference.
Chelsea are taking advantage of Wolves’ Achilles heel
Wolves have now conceded 19 goals from set pieces in the Premier League this season – by far the worst record of any team.
Their weakness became apparent twice at Stamford Bridge. First, a half-cleared corner was returned by captain Reece James and Tosin did well to control it before side-footing his first league goal for Chelsea.
The flag was raised but Matheus Cunha had been slow to clear his area and the former Fulham man was just wide.
Noni Madueke loves scoring against Wolves! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/RXOICqc95Y
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 20, 2025
However, that mistake was nothing compared to the one Sanchez made at the end of the half when he buried a Cunha corner at the feet of Doherty, who couldn’t miss from a few yards out.
It was Sanchez’s fourth error that led to a goal this season – only Ipswich’s Arijanet Muric (5) has made more.
Chelsea’s second goal was the pick of the night. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall made a good run on his first league start for Chelsea, hitting a cross that Cucurella chested down and slotted in.
And moments later, Trevoh Chalaboh rose well to parry Cole Palmer’s free-kick and head it down, with Madueke leveling the score just off the line.
Chalobah impressed in his first start since being recalled from Crystal Palace but it remains to be seen what his long-term future holds.
Wolves dropped off sharply in the second half and will need to find points soon to stay afloat. They face Arsenal on Saturday.
