Chelsea stumbling Wolves 3-1 Adarabioyo, Cucurella, and Madueke registered on the scoring sheet. Image: Chelsea shared via Facebook.
(The Post News)– On Monday, Chelsea defeated relegation-threatened Wolves 3-1, regaining their spot in the English Premier League (EPL) and breaking a five-game losing streak.
In mid-December, Enzo Maresca’s club was only two points behind champions Liverpool, giving them optimism for an unexpected title campaign before they lost their way. Marc Cucurella and Noni Madueke’s goals in the second half saved Sanchez’s blushes, as they are now on pace to earn a spot in the Champions League next season.
Matt Doherty was able to cancel away Tosin Adarabioyo’s opening goal just before halftime after the goalie dropped the ball. Maresca made five changes from last week’s draw against Bournemouth, including bringing in center-back Trevoh Chalobah, who was recalled from his loan stay at Crystal Palace, to start Chelsea’s leading scorer, Cole Palmer, who was doubtful before the game.
Palmer had two early attempts, shooting one wide and forcing Jose Sa to make a diving save as the home team dominated possession in the early going. Midway through the first half, Adarabioyo scored his first Premier League goal for the team, rewarding the home team for their domination. Reece James shot from the edge of the box, and the ball was deflected into the defender’s path, where it was expertly managed. The flag was raised for several Chelsea players who were in offside situations in a packed penalty area, but a VAR check reversed the on-field ruling.
As halftime drew near, Wolves, who had been apathetic offensively for the majority of the first half, rallied and scored with their first attempt on goal after Sanchez made a mistake. After the visitors won a corner, Matheus Cunha’s inswinging delivery was mysteriously dropped by the goalie under extreme pressure, and Doherty scored from close range.
The home team had a strong start to the second half and led again at the hour mark when Cucurella finished in spectacular fashion after helping to start the move. Madueke was in space on the right when the ball reached him, and he fired in a cross that Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall flicked on.
Cucurella hooked home on the stretch after controlling on his chest. Five minutes later, Madueke headed home Chalobah’s goal-bound shot to give Chelsea a two-goal lead against Wolves. It was Madueke’s fourth goal of the season. With ten minutes remaining, Sanchez palmed a Cunha attempt behind, but Chelsea was generally at ease despite the odd small worry.
In his first season at Stamford Bridge, former Leicester manager Maresca obstinately maintained that his club was not in the running for the championship, despite the fact that they were riding high following five consecutive victories in late November. He was correct when they lost steam, beginning with a 0-0 draw against Everton shortly before Christmas, which marked the beginning of a poor run in which they only managed three points from five games.
Wolves are in serious trouble after their loss in London on Monday; they are now outside the relegation zone based solely on goal differential. Last month, the Midlands team replaced Gary O’Neil with Vitor Pereira, a Portuguese player who has won seven points in his first three games. However, they have already lost for the third time in a row. At the bottom of the table, Wolves have easily outscored their rivals, yet they have given up more goals than any other Premier League team—51.
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