Wolves 1 Chelsea 3 - Report

The hosts made a good start and looked comfortable, until Matt Doherty clipped Joao Pedro’s heels needlessly, allowing Cole Palmer to tuck away from the penalty spot.

Wolves’ defensive fragility was laid bare as Yerson Mosquera foolishly pushed Pedro for a second penalty, which Palmer also dispatched, before the England international wrapped up his hat-trick in the 38th minute with a well-worked attack.

Wolves improved in the second half and Tolu Arokodare got his first Premier League goal since December 13, but it was not enough to inspire a comeback.

Analysis

Rob Edwards made three changes to his Wolves side as he switched to a back four and named a bold attacking side.

Emmanuel Agbadou and Jhon Arias were not involved after being sold to Besiktas and Palmeiras, while Andre and Toti Gomes missed out through injury.

Andre had a small calf injury and was given until the morning of the game to declare himself fit, but he was deemed unavailable.

Rodrigo Gomes also dropped to the bench, as Doherty was joined in the starting XI by two new signings in Angel Gomes and Adam Armstrong.

Former Wolves winger Pedro Neto started for Chelsea.

Wolves made a solid start to the game in their 4-2-3-1 formation, and the lively Mateus Mane was causing lots of problems in his number 10 position.

Wolves were comfortable and confident, until they gave away a silly penalty. Hugo Bueno was knocked off the ball by Neto first, before Mosquera’s clumsy clearance meant Chelsea still had possession in the box.

Pedro was going nowhere with the ball and Doherty needlessly clipped at his ankles and brought him down, as Palmer stepped up to send goalkeeper Jose Sa the wrong way with the penalty.

Wolves were too negative in possession after going behind, as home supporters got frustrated at decisions made by referee Jarred Gillett.

Chelsea almost had a second when Malo Gusto was played through, but Sa made a superb stop.

The visitors did get their second shortly after, following more dreadful decision making from Wolves.

A long ball had Pedro running the channel, but he was going nowhere again, as the retreating Mosquera used both hands to shove him in the back, just inside the box.

Palmer stepped up to beat Sa from the penalty spot for the second time in 35 minutes.

Just three minutes later, Palmer completed his hat-trick. Marc Cucurella was allowed to get in down the left too easily and he cut it back for the England international, who smashed the ball into the roof of the net.

Hwang Hee-chan then went down with a knock and was substituted, to sarcastic cheers from home fans, as Ladislav Krejci replaced him and Wolves changed to a back five.

After five minutes of added time, the Wolves players entered the half-time break to a loud barrage of boos.

As the second half got under way, R.Gomes came on to replace Doherty.

Mane came close when he dug the ball out from under his feet to lift an effort towards goal and hit the post.

Wolves recycled the ball from that chance and won a corner, where they grabbed a goal to restore some hope.

The ball made its way to the far post via an excellent Armstrong flick-on and after a scramble, Arokodare managed to turn it home from close range.

Wolves had a good spell after scoring but were unable to make it count, as Chelsea slowed the game and ran the clock down.

It ended 3-1, marking a third consecutive defeat for Edwards’ men.

Key Moments

GOAL 13 Palmer sends Sa the wrong way with a penalty

GOAL 35 Palmer nets again from the penalty spot

GOAL 38 Palmer completes his hat-trick

GOAL 54 Arokodare grabs one back for Wolves

Teams

Wolves: Sa, Doherty (R.Gomes, 45), Mosquera, S.Bueno, H.Bueno, J.Gomes (Lima, 91), A.Gomes (Bellegarde, 79), Mane, Hwang (Krejci, 43), Armstrong, Arokodare.

Subs not used: Johnstone, Tchatchoua, Wolfe, Rawlings, Edozie.

Chelsea: Sanchez, Gusto (Acheampong, 74), Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella, Santos (Hato, 84), Caicedo, Palmer (Garnacho, 60), Enzo, Neto, Pedro (Delap, 74).

Subs not used: Sharman-Lowe, Badiashile, Sarr, Estevao, Guiu.