Before Chelsea’s 6-2 win over Wolves, Noni Madueke sparked a huge backlash by calling Gary O’Neil’s side ‘s**t’ on social media.
The winger didn’t mean to, he insisted. He deleted the story, which had been uploaded on Instagram, before admitting he’d meant to post on his private account instead.
Regardless of his feeble explanation, it made the 22-year-old public enemy No 1 at Molineux on Sunday.
Wolves fans booed his every touch, at least during the early stages, making it clear they wouldn’t be forgiving him for his embarrassing gaffe any time soon.
Noni Madueke was the star of the show as Chelsea beat Wolves in their Premier League clash
PA
But Madeueke didn’t seem fazed. Instead of shrinking under the pressure, the forward embraced it – firing Chelsea to victory in a Premier League thriller on Sunday.
Chelsea opened the scoring in just the 2nd minute, with Nicolas Jackson silencing some of his own critics to put the Blues ahead.
Wolves responded through Matheus Cunha, with the attacker levelling things up in the 27th minute to give his side hope.
JUST IN: Jermaine Jenas makes BBC accusation after sacking – ‘I wasn’t allowed’
Chelsea may still be adjusting to life under new boss Enzo Maresca but one player who doesn’t need any improving is Cole Palmer.
The England international is already the real deal and, after struggling against Manchester City last week, restored Chelsea’s side with a well-taken goal.
Wolves are a plucky outfit, however, and levelled just before half time with Jorgen Strand Larsen sending the Molineux crowd wild.
READ MORE: Marcus Rashford is in trouble again at Manchester United after Brighton defeat
At the break, the match was delicately poised. Fans were being treated to a classic and it was hard to see which way the pendulum would swing.
Yet Madueke then made the occasion his own, with the youngster scoring a sublime hat-trick to silence the boo boys and prove a point. Joao Felix, making his second debut for the west London giants, then added gloss to their victory late on.
Maresca is yet to know his best team at Stamford Bridge. After all, with such a big squad, it will take time for him to learn which players he can depend on.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
- BBC employees ‘furious with Jermaine Jenas for defending himself’ as details emerge following scandal
- Francis Ngannou stunned by Mike Tyson ahead of Jake Paul boxing fight – ‘What the hell is this!’
- Tennis star makes feelings clear on Emma Raducanu after Andy Murray comments at US Open spark backlash
Noni Madueke was outstanding as Chelsea gunned down Wolves in Sunday’s Premier League clash
PA
Madueke, however, has proven a point. By winning his war with the Wolves fans he’s effectively showed Maresca that he can count on him to deliver the goods.
Chelsea needed to win this to give themselves lift-off, having struggled to get anywhere near City seven days ago.
They were also unconvincing in their 2-0 UEFA Conference League win over Servette during the week, too.
Noni Madueke has proven a point to Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca with his terrific performance against Wolves
PA
But Chelsea finally have three points in the bank and will be hoping to build on this victory in the coming weeks and months ahead.
As for Wolves, they can clearly score goals and hurt teams but must tighten up at the back if they’re to improve on last season’s 14th-placed finish.