In a stunning display of football brilliance on Sunday, Chelsea emerged victorious against Wolves by a resounding 6-2, thanks in large part to a spectacular hat-trick from Noni Madueke. This victory marks Enzo Maresca’s first Premier League win as the new manager of the Blues, providing a much-needed morale boost for the team and its supporters. This comes just one week after Maresca’s debut match against Manchester City ended in a 2-0 defeat.
Chelsea fans had been eagerly anticipating the match against Wolves following their UEFA Conference League play-off victory over Swiss side Servette on Thursday. Although that win was significant, it was viewed as merely a warm-up for the goal-laden encounter at Molineux.
The game began with a bang, with Chelsea making an instant impact just 98 seconds after the kick-off. Nicolas Jackson opened the scoring when Matheus Cunha, intending to clear a corner, accidentally flicked the ball toward Jackson. Left unmarked, Jackson headed it in comfortably from six yards out. The early goal not only exhilarated Chelsea supporters but also sharply irritated Wolves fans, who were already upset about a controversial social media post by Madueke.
Just hours before the match, Madueke took to Instagram to express his dissatisfaction with Wolverhampton, describing the place in derogatory terms. Although he quickly deleted the post and attempted to clarify the situation by explaining it was an accidental upload to the wrong account, the damage was done. His words further fueled the animosity of the Wolves’ fanbase, who were looking for retribution on the field.
Wolves found a glimmer of hope in the 27th minute when Matheus Cunha equalized for the hosts. The Brazilian forward, who had previously tormented Chelsea with a hat-trick at Stamford Bridge last season, once again proved to be a thorn in the Blues’ side. The goal was celebrated fervently by Wolves fans, who were momentarily cheered as their team showed resilience.
However, Chelsea was quick to reassert their dominance. Noni Madueke, whose earlier social media gaffe had made him a target of hostility, turned his performance around spectacularly. He initiated his hat-trick with a superb goal in the 34th minute, taking advantage of a well-placed cross by Raheem Sterling. Wolves’ defense seemed helpless in containing Chelsea’s attacking force.
Just before half-time, Chelsea extended their lead to 3-1 thanks to a stunning strike from Enzo Fernandez. Receiving the ball outside the penalty area, Fernandez unleashed a powerful shot that flew into the top corner of the net, leaving Wolves’ goalkeeper no chance to react.
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The second half began with Chelsea firmly in control, and they continued to demonstrate their attacking prowess. By the 53rd minute, Madueke had added another goal to his tally, navigating his way through Wolves’ defenders with ease before slotting the ball past the keeper. The score was now 4-1, and Wolves’ hope of a comeback appeared increasingly slim.
Wolves did manage to pull one back in the 64th minute when Ruben Neves converted a penalty, making it 4-2. However, any optimism the hosts had was quickly quashed as Chelsea continued to press forward relentlessly. Madueke completed his hat-trick in the 70th minute, capitalizing on a defensive error to make it 5-2. The young forward’s performance was nothing short of masterful, showcasing his skills and determination, thus redeeming himself in the eyes of many.
Chelsea’s sixth and final goal came from an unexpected source. Substitute defender Trevoh Chalobah, who had only recently come onto the pitch, headed in a corner kick in the 79th minute, capping off Chelsea’s dominant performance.
The final whistle blew with Chelsea securing a comprehensive 6-2 victory. Maresca’s first Premier League win as Chelsea’s manager could not have come in a more emphatic fashion. The victory moves Chelsea up the table, providing much-needed confidence and a foundation to build upon.
In a post-match interview, Maresca expressed delight at the team’s performance while also acknowledging the challenges ahead. “We showed great character today. The boys played with passion and skill, and Madueke’s performance was exceptional. This is just the beginning, and we will keep working hard to achieve more victories,” he said.
For Wolves, it was a day to forget. The defensive lapses and missed opportunities highlighted several areas for improvement. Despite their efforts, they couldn’t match Chelsea’s attacking firepower. Wolves’ manager will need to rally his squad to bounce back from this heavy defeat.
