Enzo Maresca breathed a sigh of relief as Chelsea stormed to a comprehensive 6-2 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers, powered by a scintillating hat-trick from Noni Madueke. This triumph marked Maresca’s first Premier League win as the Blues’ boss and provided a much-needed morale boost following a debut loss to Manchester City.
Maresca, who took charge of Chelsea in the off-season replacing Mauricio Pochettino, had endured a baptism of fire with the 2-0 defeat to Manchester City last weekend. The Italian manager came to Chelsea with high expectations, having crafted a solid reputation at Leicester City. However, his rocky start raised questions about how quickly he could mould the Blues into a winning outfit.
Chelsea had offered a glimmer of hope earlier in the week with a hard-fought UEFA Conference League play-off victory against Servette. Although that win was significant, it paled in comparison to the emphatic display put forth at Molineux Stadium on Sunday.
The match kicked off in thrilling fashion, with Chelsea catching Wolves off guard just 98 seconds in. A poorly executed clearance by Matheus Cunha, intended to thwart a corner, inadvertently directed the ball to Nicolas Jackson. Left unmarked, Jackson seized the opportunity, heading in from close range to seize an early lead for the visitors.
The goal sparked fury among Wolverhampton fans already incensed by Madueke’s social media gaffe just hours before kick-off. In a now-deleted Instagram post, Madueke shared his location—Wolverhampton—with the caption, “this place is s**t.” Recognizing the error, he swiftly took down the post and issued a hasty explanation: “Damn wrong Instagram account. You lot are too fast.” Despite his contrition, the incident irked the home crowd and added a layer of tension to an already charged atmosphere.
However, Wolves quickly rallied. Their tenacious forward, Matheus Cunha, who had previously tormented Chelsea with a hat-trick at Stamford Bridge last season, restored parity in the 27th minute. Displaying deft footwork and tenacity, Cunha wormed his way through the Chelsea defense to net the equalizer, temporarily leveling the scores and reigniting hopes among the home supporters.
Yet, Chelsea was determined not to be outdone. The Blues swiftly regained the initiative, capitalizing on Wolves’ defensive lapses.
. Enzo Maresca’s tactical acumen began to shine through as Chelsea’s offense, orchestrated seamlessly, dismantled Wolves’ resolute backline. Kai Havertz, instrumental throughout the match, provided several key passes that set up scoring opportunities.
Noni Madueke then took center stage, reminding everyone of his prodigious talent. First, he laced a thunderous strike into the top corner from the edge of the area at the 38-minute mark, a goal that underscored his clinical finishing ability. The second came just after halftime, where a fluid team move culminated in Madueke coolly dispatching a low shot past the Wolves’ goalkeeper from close range.
By this point, Wolves struggled to cope with Chelsea’s relentless onslaught. Maresca’s men were displaying a blend of flair and precision reminiscent of the club’s storied past. Madueke completed his hat-trick in the 59th minute, tapping in from a rebounded shot to send the traveling Chelsea fans into raptures.
Not content with a three-goal cushion, Chelsea continued to press. Wolves’ defense, by now in disarray, conceded a penalty in the 67th minute after Jackson was fouled in the box. Captain César Azpilicueta stepped up to convert calmly, extending Chelsea’s lead further.
Wolverhampton managed to pull one back via Pedro Neto, who placed a well-taken shot beyond Chelsea’s goalkeeper, Kepa Arrizabalaga. However, the goal did little to shift the game’s momentum as Chelsea responded almost immediately, with substitute Conor Gallagher finding the net in the closing stages to seal the 6-2 rout.
The decisive victory not only marked a pivotal moment in Maresca’s nascent tenure but also sent a strong signal to their Premier League rivals. Speaking after the match, Maresca praised his team’s spirit and execution: “This performance is evidence of the hard work being put in by everyone. We know there is still room for improvement, but today was a big step in the right direction.”
As enmity between Wolves fans and Madueke simmered down, the young forward’s on-field heroics overshadowed his off-field misstep. Chelsea will be looking to build on this substantial win as they prepare for upcoming fixtures in both domestic and European competitions, with the ambition to re-establish themselves as serious contenders on all fronts.
Meanwhile, Newcastle United played out a controversial 1-1 draw at Bournemouth, adding another layer of intrigue to an already engrossing weekend of Premier League action.
