Chelsea ended their five-game Premier League winless run with a convincing 3-1 victory over Wolves at Stamford Bridge on Monday night.
Second-half goals from Marc Cucurella and Noni Madueke secured the crucial win after Matt Doherty had cancelled out Tosin Adarabioyo’s opener.
The result propelled Enzo Maresca’s side into fourth place in the Premier League table, moving them above Manchester City ahead of their clash at the Etihad Stadium this weekend.
The Blues dominated possession from the outset and showed renewed attacking vigour despite missing several key players through injury.
Marc Cucurella scored in the second half to put Chelsea ahead
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Chelsea took the lead in the 24th minute when Tosin Adarabioyo converted after Reece James’s shot fell kindly to him. The goal was initially ruled offside but stood following a VAR review.
The hosts looked set to take their advantage into the break, only for goalkeeper Robert Sanchez to spill Matheus Cunha’s corner under pressure from Santiago Bueno in first-half stoppage time.
Matt Doherty was quickest to react to Sanchez’s error, tapping in from close range to draw Wolves level just before the interval.
The mistake marked Sanchez’s fourth error leading to a goal this season, with only Ipswich’s Arijanet Muric having made more in the Premier League.
Chelsea restored their lead on the hour mark through Marc Cucurella’s well-taken finish.
The move began when Noni Madueke delivered an inswinging cross that was cleverly flicked on by Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, making his first Premier League start since joining from Leicester.
Cucurella, who had made several threatening runs into the box, controlled the ball before scrambling it past Jose Sa.
The goal came as Chelsea showed renewed composure after a nervy end to the first half, with Cole Palmer beginning to exert more influence on the game.
Just five minutes after Cucurella’s strike, Chelsea extended their lead through Noni Madueke.
Rob Sanchez suffered a howler that saw Wolves equalise
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The third goal came from a set-piece, with Cole Palmer delivering a free-kick from near the corner flag.
Trevoh Chalobah, making his first start since being recalled from Crystal Palace, rose highest at the far post to head the ball back across goal.
Madueke was perfectly positioned to nod the ball over the line from point-blank range, though the goal might have already been crossing the line from Chalobah’s header.
The strike marked another memorable performance against Wolves for Madueke, who had netted a hat-trick at Molineux in August.
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Noni Madueke scored his sixth Premier League goal of the season – and his fourth against Wolves
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The victory marked a significant moment for Chelsea as they reignited their Champions League qualification bid after a difficult run of form.
Maresca’s side will now turn their attention to Saturday’s crucial clash with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
The Italian tactician will be hopeful of welcoming back Enzo Fernandez, Levi Colwill and Romeo Lavia for that fixture after all three missed out against Wolves.
For Wolves, the defeat highlighted their defensive frailties, having now conceded 51 league goals in 22 matches – the worst record in the Premier League.