Chelsea player ratings vs Wolves: Cole Palmer stuns as Robert Sanchez let down by defenders | OneFootball

Blues talisman bagged first-half hat-trick at Molineux

Chelsea won 3-1 at Molineux as Cole Palmer scored a hat-trick inside the first 38 minutes.

The Blues were far better in the first half than the second against the Premier League’s bottom side but were good value for their victory by the end.

Palmer scored two spot-kicks and then from open play into the roof of the net as Chelsea threatened to run away with it.

But a much-improved second half from Wolves saw them reduce the deficit through Tolu Arokodare’s close-range finish from a corner.

Dom Smith was at Molineux to rate the Chelsea players’ performances...

Robert Sanchez 6

Not given any help by his defenders for the Wolves goal, so will have been frustrated it denied him his clean-sheet.

Malo Gusto 7

Had a good outing, playing important passes in the first half and winning the ball high up the pitch.

Trevoh Chalobah 6

Sturdy at the back, with plenty of blocks and clearances in the moments - largely after the interval - when Wolves put the pressure on.

Wesley Fofana 6

A nice cultured swivel in midfield to evade a challenge was a cute touch. The Frenchman broadly did well, though was beaten in the air a little too often.

Marc Cucurella 5

Fought hard at Molineux but a yellow card for a needless handball where he knew exactly what he was doing.

Andrey Santos 6

Did his thing in the middle of the pitch, keeping Chelsea ticking over with sensible short-range passes. But something of an injury worry as he left the pitch late on.

Moises Caicedo 7

Another good performance from the Ecuadorian, who flew into tackles accurately and with real force, harrying Wolves, giving them no time on the ball.

Cole Palmer 9

The ideal afternoon from his and Chelsea’s perspective. Only on the field of play for an hour, but in that time scored his fourth Premier League hat-trick for the Blues and was their undisputed matchwinner.

Enzo Fernandez 6

Full of energy and intent throughout. A mature performance from the Argentine.

Joao Pedro 7

Caused problems for Wolves all afternoon and won two penalties that set Chelsea well on their way.

Subs:

Alejandro Garnacho (Palmer, 61’) 5

Did not affect the game in the way he or Rosenior will have wanted, and his tracking back and defensive work left a lot to be desired once more.

Liam Delap (Joao Pedro, 75’) N/A

Josh Acheampong (Gusto, 75’) N/A

Jorrel Hato (Santos, 84’) N/A

Not used: Sharman-Lowe, Badiashile, Sarr, Guiu, Estevao