Chelsea climbed back into the top four after defeating Wolves at Stamford Bridge, ending a five-game winless run. The pre-match headlines were dominated by Chelsea’s decision to recall Trevoh Chalobah from Crystal Palace, and he made an immediate impact, taking his chance to shine with a man of the math performance.
The Blues started brilliantly, dominating the first 20 minutes and controlling the game. Wolves eventually grew into the match, making the latter stages of the first half more evenly contested. Chelsea opened the scoring in the 24th minute through Tosin Adarabioyo, but Wolves equalized just before halftime after a costly mistake by goalkeeper Robert Sánchez.
In the second half, Chelsea regained control, with Marc Cucurella restoring their lead and Noni Madueke sealing the victory in the 65th minute.
Here at The Pride of London, we analyze the key takeaways from Chelsea's exciting win over Wolves.
Chelsea Defensive Resilience
Chelsea’s defensive vulnerabilities have been a recurring issue this season, compounded by a lack of goals from the attack in recent games. However, the return of captain Reece James and the recalled Trevoh Chalobah added much-needed solidity to the backline.
Both players contributed significantly on both ends of the pitch. Chalobah, in particular, was outstanding, strengthening the defense and providing composure during critical moments. This renewed resilience was instrumental in Chelsea’s return to winning ways.
Sanchez's Blunders Persist
Robert Sánchez’s inconsistency came under the spotlight again as his mistake led to Wolves’ equalizer just before halftime. This marked his fourth error leading to a goal this season, adding to the mounting criticism of his performances.
Sánchez has already been dropped twice by manager Enzo Maresca this season due to similar issues. While Chalobah and Cucurella helped cover for his mistakes in the second half, Sánchez’s unreliability remains a concern. Chelsea’s ability to recover and score two second-half goals showcased their resilience, but their goalkeeper’s form could prove costly in tighter matches.
Key Players Step Up
The match highlighted the influence of Chelsea’s key players. Tosin Adarabioyo, Marc Cucurella, and Noni Madueke all found the net, securing a crucial three points for the team.
Cole Palmer also played a significant role, though his impact was somewhat limited by the absence of midfielders Enzo Fernández and Romeo Lavia. Forced to drop deeper to collect and distribute the ball, Palmer still managed to play 84 minutes despite being an injury doubt ahead of the game.
Set-Piece Improvements
Chelsea’s two goals from set-pieces—scored by Adarabioyo and Madueke—underscored a marked improvement in Chelsea execution of dead-ball situations. This tactical shift contrasts with earlier performances where set-pieces were a notable weakness.
However, the defensive frailties from set-pieces still linger, as Sánchez’s error leading to Wolves’ equalizer demonstrated. The emphasis on set-piece plays, with the likes of Chalobah, James, and Adarabioyo back in the lineup, could be a strategic development under Maresca. If refined further, it could become a reliable source of goals when opportunities from open play are limited.
Chelsea attack fail to spark again
Despite the victory, Chelsea’s attack failed to fully spark. The Blues two highest goal contributors, Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson, did not register a goal or assist.
Jackson’s form remains a concern—he has scored just one goal in his last eight league games. Nevertheless, Chelsea managed to score three goals for the first time in eight matches, showcasing the team’s ability to find goals from alternative sources.
This match highlighted both the strengths and weaknesses in Chelsea’s squad composition and tactical setup. While the defense showed signs of improvement, the attack remains inconsistent, with room for growth as the season progresses.
Up next for Chelsea is a visit to the home of the Premier League champions, Manchester City.