Chelsea 3 – 1 Wolves

Chelsea moved into the Premier League’s top four with a 3-1 home win over Wolves after second-half goals from Marc Cucurella and Noni Madueke spared goalkeeper Robert Sanchez’s blushes.

The Chelsea shot-stopper’s howler at a corner allowed Matt Doherty to cancel out Tosin Adarabioyo’s opener in first-half stoppage time.

But the Spaniard had fellow countryman Cucurella to thank as he restored Chelsea’s lead in the 60th minute before Madueke gave the Blues a two-goal cushion just five minutes later.

But Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca defended Sanchez telling Sky Sports: “Fourth mistake leading to a goal? And how many times has he saved us? I think more than four.

“No problem. Mistakes happen to him, to the strikers, central defenders… No problem, Robert is doing well.”

Despite Sanchez’s error, Maresca’s side ended a five-game winless league run to move up to fourth – two points above fifth-placed Manchester City – while Wolves remain above the relegation zone on goal difference after a third straight league defeat.

Set-pieces were once again the undoing of Vitor Pereira’s side as they conceded from a first-half corner after VAR overturned an offside decision against Tosin when he slammed home from Reece James’ deflected shot, with Matheus Cunha playing the defender onside.

Sanchez’s clanger then allowed Wolves to equalise in the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time as he dropped the ball at the near post and Doherty tapped home.

But after Cucurella got Chelsea back in front from close range on his 100th Premier League appearance, it was another set-piece which led to a Blues goal as the impressive Trevoh Chalobah, on his return from his Crystal Palace loan, rose highest to nod down for Madueke to head home.

Wolves’ defensive issues continue under Pereira, having now conceded the most goals (51) and the most set-piece goals (19) in the Premier League this season.

Petit: Just punch it, Sanchez!

Ex-Chelsea midfielder Emmanuel Petit speaking on Monday Night Football:

“I don’t know why he didn’t punch the ball. He tried to catch it. He should have punched it.

“He was under pressure. He was so close to his own line so it was a risk [to catch it]. If you want to be secure, to guarantee it, just punch the ball.”

Carra: Sanchez a bottom-half goalkeeper

Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher speaking on Monday Night Football:

“Every set-piece is the same now, with people trying to block the goalkeeper. He pushes someone away so he now has the time to deal with it. He should just punch it.

“He’s a Premier League goalkeeper. It’s not a foul. There’s nothing there.

“We keep getting signs that Sanchez is a Premier League goalkeeper – but maybe for a team in the bottom half of the table and not a top team.”

Maresca: Overall performance good despite blip

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca to Sky Sports:

“The first 40 minutes, we were top. The performance was very good; completely dominate the game, score, chances. Then the last five minutes happen, what is happening many times in the last four or five games. We lost a little bit of confidence, concede the goal and struggle a little bit.

“Second half, we start quite well and after the second and third goal, the game was in control.

“They did fantastic, Tosin and Trev. But I think all of them – also Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who was a long time without a game. Overall, I think the performance was good. We are happy we won the game. Then from tomorrow we will start to think about [Manchester] City, which for sure will be a tough game.

“In the last five games, we created many chances and didn’t score. Tonight we scored three.”

Pereira: We have moments of confidence and moments without

Wolves boss Vitor Pereira to Sky Sports:

“We faced a strong team, with players that can create chances. We started the game not in the way I like, defending too much in a low block with problems to control crosses into the box. We changed the wingers – I think it was a good decision.

“After we started to be more compact, we started to play and create problems. We score a goal. Second half – we start again not in the way I like.

“We have moments where we play with confidence and others where we lose the confidence and this is something we have to change.”

Chalobah shines on Chelsea return

Sky Sports News’ Gail Davis at Stamford Bridge:

“The performance lacked the domination and attacking intent of recent Chelsea games but Maresca won’t care. His team took their chances and came away with their first league win since mid-December.

“Talking of taking chances, Chalobah seized his with a very composed performance on his return to the club and almost had a goal to show for it, alongside Tosin who marshalled the Wolves attack well.

“A Sanchez blunder aside, Chelsea looked comfortable after their wobble at the end of the first half.

“A word on Cucurella too – his goal eased the nerves among the crowd on 60 minutes, scoring Chelsea’s second as he started and finished the move. He might irritate those playing against him but he works so hard and ended the evening hustling in midfield.

“Chelsea regain that winning feeling in the league – it takes them up to fourth and now they can look forward to a big game at Manchester City on Saturday evening, live on Sky Sports.”

Saturday 25th January 5:00pm


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