Chelsea moved back into the Premier League‘s top four after a 3-1 win over relegation-threatened Wolverhampton Wanderers, who are still searching for their first clean sheet in London since February 2022.
Despite their poor form, Chelsea started the game strongly. Cole Palmer, who was fit to start, narrowly missed the target with a shot on 12 minutes before testing José Sá with a low drive from inside the box.
Shortly after, Sá made a mistake when a long ball from Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah was headed past him by his own teammate Matt Doherty. Doherty managed to recover and concede a corner just as former Wolves player Pedro Neto was ready to pounce.
That error proved costly. From Neto’s corner, Jørgen Strand Larsen headed the ball clear, but it was driven towards goal by Chelsea’s captain Reece James. The shot found Tosin Adarabioyo, who calmly finished from close range.
The goal initially appeared offside but was eventually allowed to stand. Wolves grew into the game and equalised just before half-time. Matheus Cunha’s corner was dropped by Chelsea’s goalkeeper Robert Sánchez, and Doherty bundled the ball over the line.
Despite controlling most of the first half, Chelsea regained the lead just before the hour mark. Noni Madueke crossed the ball, which was flicked on by Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall into the path of Marc Cucurella. Although Cucurella lost his balance, he still managed to score past Sá.
Chelsea’s lead was extended after a foul by Rayan Aït-Nouri on Nicolas Jackson. Palmer’s free-kick was met by Chalobah, who nodded the ball across goal for Madueke to finish.
This was Wolves’ 19th goal conceded from a set-piece in the league this season. Manager Vítor Pereira responded by making a triple substitution. Chelsea thought they had made it 4-1 when Jackson scored, but he was flagged offside.
Chelsea held on for the win, moving above Newcastle United and Manchester City in the table. However, on a slightly negative note, Chelsea have only kept one clean sheet in their last 12 home league games, with their next match away at Manchester City on Saturday.
Wolves, who are just above the relegation zone on goal difference, will host Arsenal earlier the same day.
