Enzo Maresca finally secured his first Premier League victory as Chelsea’s head coach, with a resounding 6-2 triumph over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday. The match saw an outstanding performance from Noni Madueke, who scored a remarkable hat-trick, making it a memorable day for the new Chelsea boss.
The emphatic win comes on the heels of a difficult debut for Maresca, who endured a 2-0 defeat against Manchester City last weekend. This defeat marked his inaugural game since taking over from Mauricio Pochettino in the close-season transfer, after leaving his position at Leicester City.
The game at Molineux started with high drama and set the tone for a thrilling encounter. Within just 98 seconds, Chelsea found themselves on the scoreboard. The opening goal was a result of a defensive mishap by Matheus Cunha, who misjudged a clearance from a corner. The ball fortuitously fell to an unmarked Nicolas Jackson, who made no mistake from six yards out, heading the ball confidently into the net.
Adding to the tension, Wolves’ supporter’s frustration was visible, and it didn’t help that Madueke had stirred controversy on social media just hours before the match. In a since-deleted Instagram post that tagged his location as Wolverhampton, Madueke surprisingly declared, “this place is s**t.” Although he attempted to brush off the faux pas by stating, “Damn wrong Instagram account. You lot are too fast,” the brief firestorm it caused undoubtedly ruffled feathers among the Wolves faithful.
However, it didn’t take long for Wolves to respond. In the 27th minute, Matheus Cunha, seeking redemption after his earlier error, leveled the score for his team. The Brazilian forward, who had previously tormented Chelsea with a hat-trick at Stamford Bridge last season, showcased his skill again by taking the Blues’ defense apart and slotting home a fine goal.
Chelsea, however, quickly asserted their dominance. Maresca’s men exhibited fluid attacking play that Wolves struggled to contain. The spotlight shifted back to Madueke, who was determined to let his football, not his social media mistakes, speak the loudest. By the end of the first half, Madueke had already bagged two goals, giving Chelsea a 3-1 lead going into the break.
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The second half began with Wolves hoping for a comeback, but their ambitions were quashed by the relentless Chelsea attack. Just eight minutes into the second period, Madueke completed his hat-trick, converting a well-placed cross to extend Chelsea’s lead to 4-1. The young English forward celebrated passionately, a release of pent-up energy and reply to his detractors.
Midway through the second half, Chelsea added a fifth courtesy of a stunning strike by Enzo Fernandez, who curled the ball into the top corner from outside the box. Wolves managed to pull one back with a goal from substitute Hwang Hee-chan, making it 5-2, but it was too little too late.
Chelsea’s relentless assault on the Wolves’ defense continued until the final whistle. In the dying moments of the match, an own goal from Max Kilman sealed the scoreline at 6-2, ensuring a resounding win for the visitors.
Reflecting on the game, Maresca expressed his delight. “It’s the perfect response after last week’s disappointment against City. The lads showed great character and determination. Noni [Madueke] was exceptional, but it was a team effort that won us the game,” he said.
The emphatic victory wasn’t just crucial for Maresca in asserting his authority and vision for the club; it was a vital morale boost for the Chelsea squad, who had labored under inconsistency last season. Their performance against Wolves suggests that under Maresca, the team is poised for a renewed challenge in the Premier League.
Off the field, Maresca’s appointment was always going to bring inevitable comparisons with his predecessor, Pochettino. While the season is still in its infancy, this dominant win serves as a promising indication that Chelsea could be in for a successful period under their new boss.
Meanwhile, Noni Madueke’s hat-trick will surely be remembered not only for the goals but also for the resilience and focus shown amid outside distractions. As Chelsea moves forward in the season, fans will hope that this result is a sign of the exciting football and consistent winning edges that Maresca can bring to Stamford Bridge.
On a day marked by exhilarating football and standout performances, Chelsea’s thrashing of Wolves becomes a significant milestone for Enzo Maresca – a triumphant start to what he hopes will be a successful tenure at the helm of the Blues.
