CHELSEA made sure to send their fans home happy on Blue Monday thanks to inspired performances from their defenders.
Goals from Tosin Adarabioyo, Marc Cucurella and then a Noni Madueke finish created by the returning Trevoh Chalobah covered up a pretty quiet attacking display and a mistake from their goalkeeper.
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Tosin Adarabioyo opened the scoring for Chelsea as a Reece James shot bounced around in the box it was he who was quickest to react and poke home.
That’s three goals in three games for the 6’5 defender, and none of them have been headers…
A feisty first half followed, with Cole Palmer and Moises Caicedo both left limping after tussles with Wolves stars, and things went from bad to worse as Robert Sanchez spilled a corner which Doherty tapped home.
Another defender restored the lead for Chelsea, as pantomime villain Marc Cucurella stole in from midfield to finish into the bottom corner with his right foot.
And just moments later it was three for Maresca’s men, with Noni showing shades of Nani, darting in to just make sure Trevoh Chalobah’s goal-bound header hit the back of the net.
Here’s how SunSport’s Lloyd Canfield rated the players…
Robert Sanchez – 2
Up to his usual tricks when passing out from the back, gifting it to the Wolves attack waiting to pounce on a mistake.
That was before he dropped an in-swinging corner, gifting Wolves an equaliser before half-time.
Reece James (C) – 9
Was tasked with arguably the hardest job of the night, stopping Wolves’ threatening left side of Ait-Nouri and Cunha, the latter of whom he dominated throughout the game.
Was strong defensively, always stepping in with a tackle at the crucial moment and drove the team forwards well too, always offering a shot with his lethal long-range efforts.
It was one of those that led to Tosin opening the scoring for the Blues, and he was credited with the assist.
Tosin Adarabioyo – 8
Continued his impressive hot-streak in front of goal of late as he reacted first to a loose ball in the box and finished like a striker.
The ‘Uncle’ of the Chelsea side at just 28-years-old had another game to be proud of.
Trevoh Chalobah – 9
His first game back in a Chelsea shirt after being recalled from his loan at Crystal Palace couldn’t have gone much better.
The fans chanted his name throughout as he proved strong in the air and imperial across the ground.
Slide tackles, blocks, headed assists, the lot. Trev had it all but a clean sheet tonight and a goal to his name tonight (Which he could’ve had as well).
Marc Cucurella – 8
Solid defensively and came up with a crucial goal to restore Chelsea’s lead.
A great right-footed finish as he was falling to the floor saw the Spaniard prove why he is so good inverting from fullback.
Moises Caicedo – 7
Started brightly, putting a bad game last time out behind him and was back to the Caicedo that Chelsea fans have loved this season.
Recovered well from what looked like a nasty tackle to put in a good a strong second-half performance too.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – 6
A rare Premier League start offered KDH to show what he can do, and maybe put himself in the shop window for a January move.
Was combative in midfield, and his flick for Marc Cucurella’s goal proved why he can be a threat in the Premier League as he was in a great position.
Noni Madueke – 8
A quiet first half was met by a wicked second half in which we saw the same Noni Madueke we saw in the reverse fixture after his infamous Instagram mistake.
He was Chelsea’s most dangerous attacker on the night, with a great cross leading to Marc Cucurella’s goal, before stealing in to head home Chelsea’s third of the night.
Cole Palmer – 4
The ice cold superstar we’ve become accustomed to seeing seemed a bit off the boil tonight.
He came under a few more nasty tackles and seemed a bit put off by that after carrying an injury in the week.
Pedro Neto – 4
Was jeered and booed by the visiting fans of his former club throughout the game.
Despite some dangerous running, he failed to really create anything meaningful and looks better on the right-hand side.
Nicolas Jackson – 5
Had one good run in the first half, but was otherwise pretty quiet.
He did improve in the second half, as his hard work won the free-kick which Chelsea added their third goal from and he did put the ball in the back of the net, only for the linesman to rule it out as offside.
SUBS:
Jadon Sancho (Pedro Neto, 62) – 6
Chelsea instantly looked better when he came on.
Just seems to add a layer of control to the Blues on the wing, and showed more of the flair and good feet we’ve been getting used to from him here.
Axel Disasi (Reece James, 78) – 5
Fans weren’t best pleased with him simply coming on, and would’ve preferred to see Josh Acheampong.
That said, he did nothing wrong.
Malo Gusto (Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, 78) – 6
Did well in the few minutes he had to play, nothing spectacular but was solid on the left side.
Tyrique George (Noni Madueke, 83) – 5
Wasn’t given enough time to make a meaningful impact on the game.
Joao Felix (Cole Palmer, 83) – 5
Wasn’t given enough time to make a meaningful impact on the game.
