Chelsea vs Wolves LIVE: Premier League result and reaction as hosts win after Cucurella and Madueke goals
Chelsea 3-1 Wolves: Enzo Maresca’s secured their first league win in over a month
Chelsea moved back into the Premier League top four with a fine, and much needed, 3-1 win over Wolves at Stamford Bridge.
Goals from Tosin Adarabioyo, Marc Cucurella and Noni Madueke were enough to give the Blues their first league win in six games and propel them back into the title race. They are 10 points behind Liverpool, but Enzo Maresca’s men have ended their dip in form.
It seemed likely from the start as Chelsea pushed Wolves deep, creating chances from space on the wings and taking advantage of Vitor Pereira’s side’s weakness at defending set pieces. Tosin’s opener came from a corner and a fortuitous, deflected strike from Reece James, with the Chelsea defender keeping himself onside to poke home.
There was a scare just before half-time as Matt Doherty drew Wolves level but a five-minute flurry in the second half saw Marc Cucurella and Noni Madueke turn the ball in to give Chelsea a comfortable win.
Relive Premier League action from Stamford Bridge with our live blog below:
Chelsea 1-0 Wolves
30 mins: Dewsbury-Hall sends the ball out to the left wing for Neto who controls it and comes inside.
Wolves’ defending is more solid and Chelsea are forced backwards.
'An agonising wait for Chelsea'
“An agonising wait to check Adarabioyo's goal, which was originally chalked off for offside.
“But the hope from the home fans quickly turned to expectation with every second that passed and once confirmed by referee Simon Hooper.
“A loud roar broke out with Nicolas Jackson leading the celebrations around the giant centre-back, who appears to be one of the more popular members of Enzo Maresca's squad.”
Chelsea 1-0 Wolves
27 mins: Chelsea have been rewarded for a dominant start. Can Wolves find a response?
The visitors win their first corner of the game and deliver it straight out of play.
A waste.
GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Wolves (Tosin Adarabioyo, 24')
We have the first goal!
Another Chelsea corner is swung into the box and gets dropped down to Reece James on the edge of the box.
The Chelsea captain shoots and has his effort deflected to the feet of Tosin Adarabioyo.
The Chelsea defender controls the ball then smokes it into the back of the net.
It was initially ruled out by VAR but after a check Tosin was judged to be onside.
Chelsea 0-0 Wolves
23 mins: A chaotic scramble on the edge of the Wolves box allows the visitors to sweep up the pitch in a fine counter attack.
Pablo Sarabia feeds the ball to Matheus Cunha who sets the ball into a better position then strikes it wide of goal.
Chelsea 0-0 Wolves
21 mins: A slight knock to Jose Sa offers Vitor Pereira a chance to re-organise his Wolves team.
Rayan Ait-Nouri and Nelson Semedo have switched sides so that there’s more pace to handle Noni Madueke.
Chelsea up the tempo though and fly up the pitch once more.
Chelsea 0-0 Wolves
17 mins: Wolves work the ball well deep inside their own final third before picking out Strand Larsen with a fine pass up the pitch.
The forward is unable to control the ball and it bobbles out for a throw in.
Save! Chelsea send the ball back into play before feeding it to Cole Palmer on the inside left channel. He carries the ball up to the edge of the box before drilling a low effort at goal.
Jose Sa leaps to the left and pushes the ball away. That was a good chance.
Chelsea 0-0 Wolves
15 mins: Madueke flings another cross into the middle of the box and a forward-thinking Marc Cucurella arrives to launch his head at the ball.
The ball skims the top of hair and drops to a Wolves shirt before getting cleared away.
Chelsea 0-0 Wolves
12 mins: Despite Wolves playing with, effectively, a back five there is so much space on the wings for Pedro Neto and Noni Madueke.
Madueke switches the play to his opposite number who then feeds it inside.
The ball comes to Cole Palmer who then drives an shot from range wide of the target.
Chelsea 0-0 Wolves
9 mins: Trevoh Chalobah has started the match well.
He’s been involved in most of Chelsea’s defensive action and receives a high boot to the head from Jorgen Stand Larsen.
The Chelsea free kick is sent over to the right wing where Noni Madueke takes on Rayan Ait-Nouri before lifting a cross into the hands of the goalkeeper.