Chelsea 3-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers: Malo Gusto opens Chelsea account as Blues cruise past managerless Wolves to move up to second in the Premier League table | OneFootball

Chelsea have wasted no time getting back to winning ways after a 3-0 triumph over Wolverhampton Wanderers in Saturday’s clash at Stamford Bridge.

Off the back of a disappointing 2-2 draw against Qarabag in midweek, Enzo Maresca’s side were keen to go into the international break on a high.

Enzo Fernandez had the game’s first sight of goal from a free kick which tested Sam Johnstone.

Johnstone was called into action shortly afterwards as Alejandro Garnacho was played through on goal by Fernandez, only for the Argentine to fire straight at the Wolves keeper.

Chelsea continued to pepper the Wolves’ goal and could have taken the lead when Marc Cucurella’s effort deflected just wide off Fernandez.

Having been involved in most of Chelsea’s attacking flurry in the early stages of the contest, Fernandez drew another fine save out of Johnstone midway through the half.

After weathering an opening barrage of Chelsea attacks, Wolves started to muster some promising scenarios on the counter but were often let down by their final ball.

Joao Pedro had the final decent opportunity of the first half to break the deadlock in the 44th minute when he failed to make a proper connection with his effort just outside the box.

Like the opening 45 minutes, the second half began with the home side in the ascendancy after walking off the pitch to boos from their supporters at the interval.

Chelsea deservingly got themselves in front five minutes into the second period courtesy of Malo Gusto’s header from a Garnacho delivery as the Frenchman grabbed his first-ever professional goal.

Delap had an effort saved moments later with Chelsea pushing to double their advantage in next to no time.

After fluffing his first crack at goal just before half time, Pedro made no mistake with his second bite at the cherry in the 65th minute after Willian Estevao’s cross ricocheted nicely into the path of his compatriot.

With Wolves pushing forward in search of a goal to get them back in the contest, Chelsea put the result beyond doubt 17 minutes from time.

Showing a great combination of pace and awareness, Garnacho grabbed his second assist of the contest by squaring the ball into an unmarked Pedro Neto to score against his former employers.

A third goal quashed any remaining nerves in the Blues’ camp, and Chelsea could now afford to finish the game in a relaxed mood.

Still, they were eager to add more goals and spurned two gilt-edged chances through substitute Marc Guiu.

Profiting from a careless header from Cucurella, Wolves’ Marshall Munetsi raced through on the Chelsea goal before blasting his attempt wide.

That was only a second attempt for the visitors, who went on to manage a third through Jorgen Strand Larsen in the penultimate minute of regulation time, albeit all to no avail.

In the end, Chelsea ran out comfortable winners to move up to 20 points from 11 matches, six points shy of leaders Arsenal.

Meanwhile, Wolves will be hoping for a change in fortune under the tutelage of Rob Edwards, as the ex-Luton Town manager closes in on a move to the Molineux Stadium.