New Delhi: After all the excitement that yesterday provided, Premier League Sunday had fewer games in comparison but the game at Molineux made sure that there wasn’t a lack of action. Wolves hosted Chelsea in their first home game of the season. Chelsea and Wolves, both came into the game off the back of 2-0 defeats from game week one and would’ve wanted to showcase more of what they’re both capable of in this game.
It was a highly entertaining game that was put on display by both sides and Enzo Maresca would certainly be delighted by his team’s display. Wolves showed an improvement in their game against Arsenal but the result remained the same. No one, absolutely no one would’ve expected such a performance from Chelsea when the game was kicked off but Chelsea totally blew Wolves away from the performance that the Blues put in at the Molineux.
The Blues made two changes from their opening defeat against City as Noni Madueka and Mykhailo Mudryk were recalled in the starting XI. Enzo Maresca’s charges started perfectly after Nicolas Jackson gave them the lead in the first two minutes with a free header at the back post which seemingly set the tone for the match.
Wolves were threatening from the start of the game and Matheus Cunha had a goal disallowed for offside. Wolves though levelled just before the half-hour mark with a strike from Cunha after a through ball from Rayan Ait-Nouri. Wolves were putting pressure on an inexperienced Chelsea backline and were asking questions of the Chelsea defence on multiple occasions.
Chelsea restored their lead on the stroke of halftime after a looping volley from range from ‘Cold’ Palmer that caught goalkeeper Jose Sa way off his line after an audacious assist from Nicolas Jackson who controlled Robert Sanchez’s long ball well. Wolves reacted almost with immediate effect as Jorgen Strand Larsen made it two all with a volleyed finish and got his Wolves career off the mark with an exquisite goal.
Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson (right) scores the opening goal of the game during the Premier League match at Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton. Picture date: Sunday August 25, 2024. (Photo by Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images)
Maresca introduced the new signing Pedro Neto in place of Mudryk just when the second half started. Chelsea executed dressing room instructions just four minutes after the restart and Noni Madueka restored their lead in the 49th minute after receiving a pass from Palmer inside the box.
To counter the same Wolves sent numbers in attack they opened up space in the backline as shortly just before the hour-mark. Noni Madueke made it 4-2 for the Blues with a strike between the legs of Sa after a pass from Palmer.
Four minutes further into the game Noni Madueke made it 5-2 as Gary O’Neil’s men got caught on a counter-attack near their box. Madueke completed his hat-trick with a thumping short after a through ball by Palmer once again, who completed a hattrick of assists. This was Madueke’s first hat trick of his career and it would be very special to him since the fans were booing him all night.
Wolves still had the energy to fight back and in the last ten minutes Mario Lemina found the back of the net but the goal got disallowed once again for offside after a VAR check. The Blues introduced Joao Felix for fresh legs and he made his second debut and left his mark with a wonderful finish past Jose Sa in the 80th minute. In the dying minutes Wolves were left with no fight left as the Blues claimed the victory with a thumping scoreline of 2-6 which is sure to send smiles to all the fans of the club and get Enzo Maresca’s reign off the mark
Player of the Match
Cole Palmer of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Chelsea FC at Molineux on August 25, 2024 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)
It was a very difficult choice between two of Chelsea’s attackers who looked a cut above everyone else. It was a tussle between a hattrick of goals and a hattrick of assists but it’s the creator who takes this one away. Cole Palmer was ever present for the Blues on the pitch and was dictating Chelsea’s attack on every occasion.
It was his corner that set up Nico Jackson’s opener that set the tone for the game and then took it upon himself to score an audacious lobbed finish over the head of Jose Sa to restore Chelsea’s advantage. Ultimately, he set up all of Madueke’s goals that helped him reach his hat trick and it is because of his overall contribution to this win, there can be no other player that can claim this award.
Being played centrally rather than out wide this time, Chelsea’s star boy showed his class once again and put all his doubters who were wondering how the attacker would fit in manager Enzo Maresca’s new system.
Wolves hosted Chelsea in their first home game of the season and it was a day to forget for the Wolves faithful as Chelsea put six past them in a dominant attacking display. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
