Chelsea marked their return to form with a convincing 3-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge on January 20, 2025. The win ended Chelsea's five-game winless streak in the Premier League and moved them back up to fourth place, promising renewed confidence as they set their eyes on higher ambitions this season.
The match began positively for Chelsea, who applied pressure early. After several attempts to penetrate Wolves' defense, it was Tosin Adarabioyo who broke the deadlock midway through the first half. His goal came from close range after the Chelsea defense capitalized on a corner, with Reece James' initial effort being deflected right to him. Although flagged for offside initially, VAR intervened and confirmed the goal was valid, marking Adarabioyo's first Premier League goal for the club.
Despite Chelsea's advantageous position, doubts crept back when Wolves equalized just before half-time. It was Matt Doherty who took advantage of an error by Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, who misjudged Matheus Cunha’s corner, allowing Doherty to stab home the loose ball. This moment of lapse raised concerns about Sanchez’s form, as it was his fourth mistake this season leading to goals—a statistic only rivaled by Ipswich's Arijanet Muric.
After the break, Chelsea showcased their true potential, and the renewed intensity paid dividends. Just five minutes after the restart, Marc Cucurella converted, regaining Chelsea's lead with skillful execution following Noni Madueke's inswinging cross, which Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall flicked on. This goal came as Cucurella marked his 100th Premier League appearance with significant impact.
Only five minutes later, Madueke himself joined the scoresheet, nodding home after Trevoh Chalobah’s well-placed header from another Chelsea corner. This sequence of play not only showcased Chelsea's attacking prowess but exposed Wolves' vulnerabilities at defending set-pieces, where they have struggled significantly this season.
"We need to improve set-pieces for sure. We need to improve the moments..." Vitor Pereira stated after the match, calling out the consistency required to defend effectively. The defeat marked yet another setback for Wolves, who remain just outside the relegation zone on goal difference, posing questions about their defensive capabilities when facing teams with set-pieces.
Meanwhile, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca defended Sanchez by emphasizing his overall contributions: "You said it was the fourth mistake [leading to a goal]? OK, and how many times did he save us? More than four. So no problem. It happens. Mistakes happen to him, the strikers, the midfielders. He is doing well." Still, the manager acknowledged the lapse moments and called for stricter discipline among his team.
Adarabioyo's presence alongside Chalobah made a significant difference; Chalobah’s return from his loan spell at Crystal Palace was heralded as key to Chelsea's controlled performance. Noni Madueke remarked, "Unbelievable. Leadership, character, bravery on the ball... He slotted in seamlessly so I am delighted for him. It is no coincidence with players like him and Reece [James] back, we won the game."
The comfortable victory provides Chelsea with impetus as they prepare for their next challenge against Manchester City. The game will be pivotal, not only for points but for their positioning at the top end of the table. Maresca, ever cautious, noted the difficult path leading to the title chase: "The reason why we are not yet ready to compete for the title is simply because of our past performances, but hopefully, that's changing. We need consistency moving forward."
For Wolves, reality sets back again as they need to rally quickly; their next fixtures include challenges against top-tier teams. Off the back of this match, they face Arsenal, Aston Villa, Liverpool, and Bournemouth, teams seated firm among the top standings. Pereira acknowledged, "We have to respond positively now. The consistency needs to be there to avoid another dip. This is not something we can ignore."
Overall, Chelsea's resurgent performance illuminates their potential as they seek to solidify their place within the top four, eyeing glory as they strive to climb back toward the Premier League summit.