Match Report: Chelsea find their feet in strong second half to blow Wolves away in 3-0 win | OneFootball

Chelsea blew away Wolves with a strong second half to win 3-0 at Stamford Bridge and get their season back on track after a dodgy draw in midweek.

It was a slow start to the game, with Wolves happy to sit deep and defend and Chelsea controlling the ball. The first half an hour saw numerous chances created but none taken as Enzo Maresca’s team continually probed for an opening.

The promise of a revolutionised attack with Liam Delap leading the line and Joao Pedro playing in the spaces behind him didn’t really work out – on his return from suspension and following a long period out injured, the striker managed only 3 touches in 30 minutes at the start of the game.

By half time, things hadn’t improved much, and there were boos around Stamford Bridge as the Blues trudged off after a disappointing, risk averse half against a team happy to sit deep.

The second half was a different story. Chelsea came out with far more determination, and it didn’t take long for Malo Gusto to get on the end of a nice Alejandro Garnacho cross to score his first senior goal. That goal sparked a brief Wolves fightback, and there was a nervous period at Stamford Bridge as they pushed forward.

But it proved to be their undoing – the spaces they left made Chelsea’s job that much easier. Estevao, just seconds after coming on as a sub, dashed down the line and pulled the back for Joao Pedro to finish. Not long after that, Garnacho had his second assist, dashing clear of the defence and hitting a perfect low cross to Pedro Neto, who clipped it over the keeper and killed the game off.

It’s what we’ve wanted all season – a team that ruthlessly takes its chances and capitalises when it has the lead. For once, they were able to play the game out without a nervy stadium on their backs.

MOTM – Enzo Fernandez

Analysis

Enzo Maresca frustrated on the sidelines. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Another slow and stale first half had fans in the stadium worried they were about to see their team drop yet more points at home after dominating a game, but in the end the Blues found the urgency and creativity they needed to win the game.

We would still like to see them start games a little more on the front foot, but there can be few complaints today about a very professional showing. The back line finally starts to look more solid with Wesley Fofana and Trevoh Chalobah adjusting to playing together, and Alejandro Garnacho and Pedro Neto are also benefitting from regular playing time together in attack.

Teams

Chelsea Robert Sanchez Malo Gusto Wesley Fofana Trevoh Chalobah Marc Cucurella Moises Caicedo Enzo Fernandez Pedro Neto Joao Pedro Alejandro Garnacho Liam Delap

Substitutes Filip Jorgensen Tosin Adarabioyo Jamie Bynoe-Gittens (s 83′) Andrey Santos (s 83′) Jorrel Hato Reece James (s 77′) Josh Acheampong Marc Guiu (s 77′) de Oliveira Estevao (s 64′)

Wolves Sam Johnstone Jackson Tchatchoua Santiago Bueno Ladislav Krejci Toti Gomes Hugo Bueno Jean Ricner Bellegarde Neto Andre Trindade Joao Gomes Jorgen Larsen Hee-Chan Hwang

Substitutes Pedro Jose Sa Marshall Munetsi (s 70′) David Wolfe Jhon Arias Toluwalase Arokodare Yerson Mosquera Tawanda Chirewa Ki-Jana Hoever Mateus Mane (s 70′)

Stats

Quote of the game

“Finally!” – Enzo Maresca’s reaction to Malo Gusto scoring his first professional goal, in his 98th appearance for Chelsea.