On a chilly Saturday afternoon at Molineux Stadium, Chelsea delivered a professional and composed performance to claim a 2-0 lead over Wolverhampton Wanderers, both goals coming from the penalty spot courtesy of Cole Palmer. The Premier League clash, played on February 7, 2026, saw the Blues looking to bounce back from a midweek defeat and keep pace in the race for Champions League qualification, while Wolves desperately searched for a spark to ignite their faltering season.
From the opening whistle, the difference in form and confidence between the two sides was evident. Chelsea, sitting fifth in the table and only one point adrift of fourth-placed Manchester United, entered the match with five wins in their last six outings across all competitions. In stark contrast, Wolves languished at the foot of the Premier League, with just a single win and a paltry eight points to show for their campaign so far. The hosts had failed to win 27 of their last 28 league matches and had not found the net in their previous three Premier League games. With a porous defense that had conceded 45 goals in 24 matches, the odds were stacked against them from the outset.
The team news brought a mix of relief and frustration for both camps. Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior was able to welcome back Cole Palmer and Estevao to the matchday squad, both declared fit for 90 minutes after recent injury concerns. Palmer, in particular, had been under the microscope after a noticeable dip in productivity since his explosive start to the previous season. Despite scoring 15 league goals before New Year’s Day 2025, he had managed just five in the subsequent 29 matches. Still, Rosenior handed him a starting berth, hoping the young Englishman could rediscover his golden touch against the league’s leakiest defense. Estevao, recently returned from compassionate leave in Brazil, took his place among the substitutes alongside new signing Mamadou Sarr.
Wolves, meanwhile, could only look to their supporters for inspiration as they lined up without key players Gomes and Chirewa due to injury. Their starting eleven featured Sa in goal, with Doherty, Bueno, Mosquera, Mané, and Angel Gomes anchoring a defense that would soon be put to the test. Hwang Hee-Chan and Tolu Arokodare led the line, hoping to break the team’s scoring drought. Chelsea’s lineup saw Sánchez in goal, protected by a back four of Cucurella, Chalobah, Fofana, and Malo Gusto. In midfield, Caicedo and Enzo Fernández provided stability and drive, while Neto, Palmer, and João Pedro offered attacking support behind the lone striker.
The opening exchanges were cagey, with both sides probing for weaknesses. Chelsea, however, quickly asserted their dominance, winning a series of corners and forcing Wolves’ goalkeeper José Sá into several early saves. Malo Gusto’s right-footed shot from the edge of the box was tipped away by Sá, while Enzo Fernández and João Pedro both saw efforts blocked by a determined Wolves backline. Moisés Caicedo fired wide from distance, and Marc Cucurella’s attempt was also smothered.
Wolves struggled to gain a foothold, their attacks repeatedly breaking down in the final third. Hwang Hee-Chan, one of their few bright sparks this season, won a couple of free kicks in the defensive half but found little support from his teammates. The home side’s best chance of the half came from a Yerson Mosquera header, which was blocked following a Hugo Bueno cross.
The breakthrough arrived midway through the first half, when João Pedro was brought down in the penalty area by Matt Doherty. Referee Jarred Gillett wasted no time in awarding Chelsea a penalty, and up stepped Cole Palmer. With nerves of steel, Palmer slotted his left-footed shot into the bottom right corner, sending Sá the wrong way and putting the visitors 1-0 ahead. It was a much-needed goal for both Palmer and Chelsea, as the Blues looked to reassert their attacking credentials.
Wolverhampton’s woes deepened in the second half. Another clumsy challenge in the box, this time from Yerson Mosquera on João Pedro, led to a second penalty for Chelsea. Once again, Palmer took responsibility, this time dispatching his shot to the bottom left corner. The young England international’s brace brought his tally to seven league goals for the season and provided a timely boost to his confidence. "We needed a response after Tuesday, and I’m glad to help the team," Palmer said after converting his second penalty, according to post-match reports.
Despite the deficit, Wolves did not fold entirely. They pressed forward in search of a lifeline, but Chelsea’s defense, marshaled by Trevoh Chalobah and Wesley Fofana, held firm. Fofana’s presence was particularly important, though a brief injury scare saw play halted while he received treatment. The Blues’ backline remained resolute, limiting Wolves to speculative efforts and blocked headers. Sánchez, relatively untroubled in goal, calmly collected the few balls that came his way.
The match’s tempo slowed in the final stages, with Chelsea content to manage their lead and Wolves running out of ideas. The introduction of Estevao and Mamadou Sarr from the bench provided fresh legs for the visitors, while Wolves’ substitutes struggled to make an impact. The Molineux faithful, ever loyal, continued to urge their side forward, but the gulf in quality was clear for all to see.
Chelsea’s victory, built on clinical finishing from the penalty spot and a solid defensive display, keeps them firmly in the hunt for a Champions League berth. With Manchester United just one point ahead and Liverpool breathing down their necks, every result counts in this fiercely competitive Premier League season. The Blues’ attacking trio of João Pedro and Enzo Fernández—who have contributed nine and eight league goals respectively—continue to shoulder the scoring burden, but Palmer’s return to form could prove decisive in the weeks ahead.
For Wolves, the defeat compounds their misery at the bottom of the table. Their inability to score, coupled with defensive lapses, leaves them facing an uphill battle to avoid relegation. As the season enters its final stretch, the Midlands club must find answers quickly if they are to preserve their Premier League status.
As the final whistle approached, Chelsea’s traveling supporters could be heard in full voice, celebrating a job well done. The Blues will now turn their attention to the next challenge, buoyed by a much-needed win and the hope that their attacking spark has finally been reignited. For Wolves, the search for solutions continues as they brace for another tough test in their fight for survival.