Chelsea v Wolves, 2024/25 | Premier League

Enzo Maresca’s side leapfrogged Newcastle United and Manchester City to fourth place, while Wolves remain 17th and only outside the relegation zone on goal difference.

How the match unfolded

Chelsea quickly established their authority on proceedings as Cole Palmer shot narrowly wide, before he called Jose Sa into action with a low drive soon after.

The breakthrough seemed inevitable, and it arrived in the 24th minute when Reece James' shot deflected kindly for Tosin, who calmly tucked away, with the goal disallowed on-pitch for offside, but overturned after a VAR review.

However, Wolves equalised against the run of play in first-half stoppage time as Sanchez spilled Matheus Cunha’s corner, allowing Doherty to pounce and prod in the loose ball.

The Blues regained their advantage in the 60th minute when Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall flicked on Madueke’s cross, and the unmarked Cucurella was on hand to control and finish on his 100th Premier League appearance.

Madueke then got in on the act five minutes later, with the England international nodding home on the line after the returning Trevoh Chalobah headed Palmer’s corner towards goal.

The offside flag then denied Nicolas Jackson a fourth late on but, by then, the damage was done, and Chelsea were back to winning ways.

Blues bounce back

After Newcastle United were well-beaten by AFC Bournemouth on Saturday, Chelsea knew this was a good opportunity to displace the Magpies in the top four.

Maresca’s side began the contest with plenty of purpose and it only seemed a matter of time before they struck first, which they eventually did through Tosin’s first Premier League goal.

However, the Blues had dropped seven points from winning positions in their last four league matches, and they must have had that sinking feeling when Doherty equalised just before half-time.

Nevertheless, they dusted themselves down and were quickly back in control of proceedings in the second half.

Cucurella got them back in front with a well-taken finish. Madueke – the hat-trick hero when the sides met in August – was then the scourge of Wolves once again when he headed into an empty net.

Despite the brief scare, it was a generally comfortable win for the Blues, and a timely confidence booster ahead of their trip to the Etihad Stadium to face a revitalised Manchester City on Saturday.

Wolves winless streak continues

Vitor Pereira’s reign began with back-to-back Premier League victories, but Wolves’ next three matches brought two defeats and a draw.

Their confidence would not have been soaring as a result, and this was epitomised by the lapse in communication between Doherty and Sa in the 23rd minute. The defender headed Chalobah’s long ball beyond the outrushing goalkeeper, but just about managed to recover and clear with Pedro Neto breathing down his neck.

When Tosin broke the deadlock, Wolves had failed to register a touch inside Chelsea’s box. But, to their credit, they responded well and grasped their opportunity when it arrived, as Doherty poked home after Sanchez’s mistake.

However, Cucurella was left unmarked in the box to meet Madueke’s deflected cross, before Wolves’ set-piece frailties were exposed again with Palmer’s corner leading to the Blues’ third goal.

Pereira’s side did launch a late rally with Cunha and Jorgen Strand Larsen drawing saves from Sanchez, but the contest was beyond them by then.

Things do not get any easier for them, either. Their next four Premier League matches are against Arsenal, Aston Villa, Liverpool and Bournemouth.