LONDON — Chelsea managed to break their five-game winless streak in the Premier League with a 3-1 victory over Wolverhampton on Monday, propelling them into fourth place, surpassing Newcastle and Manchester City in the standings.
The match began favorably for the home team as Tosin Adarabioyo found the net just 24 minutes in, scoring from close range after a deflection from Reece James’s shot landed at his feet six meters from goal. This marked his third goal in as many games, having previously netted twice in the FA Cup against Morecambe.
Though Chelsea dominated the first half, Wolves managed to pull level just before halftime due to a critical error by Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sánchez. In a chaotic moment from a corner kick, Sánchez lost control of the ball, allowing Matt Doherty to score from just a meter out during stoppage time.
Despite the setback, Chelsea showed resilience, with a refreshed lineup that included James, who returned to the league starting position for the first time since November 3, and Trevoh Chalobah, who shone in his return from a loan period at Crystal Palace. Wolves, on the other hand, found themselves struggling, marking their fourth game without a win.
The second half saw Marc Cucurella restore Chelsea’s lead with a close-range header from a right-side cross that he skillfully controlled and directed into the net. Just five minutes later, Noni Madueke made a play to extend the Chelsea lead by nudging Chalobah’s header just over the line, sealing the outcome of the match.
Madueke, acknowledging his involvement in the goal, expressed his apologies to Chalobah for interfering but justified his actions with a strong “attacker’s instinct” to ensure the ball crossed the line. He also lauded Chalobah for demonstrating significant leadership and bravery on the pitch.
“He seamlessly fitted into the team, and I’m thrilled for him,” Madueke added, crediting their success to the contributions of key players like him and Reece James.
On the other hand, Doherty expressed disappointment regarding his team’s defensive performance during set pieces, emphasizing the need for more commitment and aggression in their defensive tactics. “It’s crucial to show the desire to attack the ball and make a solid effort to win set pieces,” he stated. “Throughout a Premier League match, you must stay alert for the entire 90 minutes, and tonight we let ourselves down on too many occasions.”
With this victory, Chelsea now sits on 40 points, leading Newcastle and Manchester City by two points, while trailing behind Arsenal and Nottingham Forest by four points. Liverpool currently leads the table with 50 points.
Wolves, however, remain in 17th place, just above the relegation zone, tied on points with Ipswich, who are positioned in 18th.
