Chelsea player ratings vs Wolves: Jamie Gittens stars as Liam Delap dismal on return | OneFootball

Striker was dismissed for two yellow cards on his comeback from injury

They quickly doubled their advantage as Tyrique George tapped home from Jamie Gittens’ cross after 15 minutes.

Chelsea then added a third goal on the stroke of half-time as Estevao chipped the ball over Jose Sa after Fer Lopez surrendered possession under pressure from Santos.

Enzo Maresca’s side looked comfortable, but they gifted Wolves a route back into the game early in the second half as Tolu Arokodare lashed home after Facundo Buonanotte was dispossessed.

Substitute David Moller Wolfe then brought Wolves to within one goal as he fired across Filip Jorgensen after the ball broke to him inside the area.

Gittens looked to have settled the game as he half-volleyed a thunderous effort in off the post after 89 minutes to restore Chelsea’s two-goal lead, but Wolves responded immediately through Moller Wolfe to set up a nervy finish.

Standard Sport’s Sam Tabuteau rated the Chelsea players from Molineux...

Filip Jorgensen 5: Was aggressive in coming for crosses under pressure, but nearly played Santos into trouble with a needlessly risky pass inside his own area. His distribution brought pressure on Chelsea’s defence.

Malo Gusto 7: Was first to every loose ball and provided a good option on the overlap. A busy display from the French full-back before being replaced, with Chelsea still in control.

Tosin Adarabioyo 5: Struggled to guide Chelsea’s defence through an onslaught of Wolves pressure. Strong in the air as Wolves searched for an equaliser, but needed to show more as captain.

Jorrel Hato 5: Helped out massively by Marc Cucurella’s introduction. The 19-year-old looked lost as Wolves surged forward at every opportunity in the second half. Did, however, set up Gittens’ goal with a booming header.

Romeo Lavia 7: Chelsea were so ferocious on the counter in the first half, in part because of Lavia’s energy in the centre of the park. Tidy in possession and aggressive without the ball, he set the tempo for the Blues before being replaced just past the hour mark.

Andrey Santos 8: A sweetly-struck low drive opened the scoring for Chelsea. Could have been neater in possession, giving away the ball on a number of occasions, but made up for it by pressing Lopez into giving the ball away for Chelsea’s third. Won some important fouls late on to relieve pressure on Chelsea’s defence. An all-action display from the Brazilian.

Electric: Andrey Santos

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Willian Estevao 7: Was not at his sparkling best, but still showed his quality with a delightful chip for Chelsea’s third. Replaced by Liam Delap just past the hour mark.

Facundo Buonanotte 6: Played an important role defensively, cutting out passes before springing forward on the counter, but gave it away cheaply as Wolves got a goal back early in the second half.

Jamie Gittens 9: A statement performance. Floated all over the pitch and did well to take the ball away from Arokodare as Chelsea raced into an early lead before teeing up George for Chelsea’s second. Scored what was ultimately the winning goal with a thunderous volley.

Superb: Jamie Gittens

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Tyrique George 6: Linked up well with Gittens in the first half, who laid the ball on a plate for him to score Chelsea’s second. Drifted in the second half and picked up a silly yellow card before being replaced by Pedro Neto.

Substitutes:

Marc Cucurella 7: A committed display from the Spaniard helped Chelsea over the line. Was unlucky to see his clearing header bounce in off the bar for Wolves’ third.

Enzo Fernandez 6: Came on to shore up Chelsea’s midfield, but could not do much to stem the tide of Wolves pressure.

Liam Delap 1: Nothing short of a dreadful night on his first appearance back from a hamstring injury. Lost his header for Wolves’ second goal before being sent off for two needless yellow cards.

Pedro Neto 5: Was caught offside during a promising Chelsea break and was otherwise anonymous as the Blues held on to win.

Moises Caicedo 6: Brought on to see out the game. Maresca would definitely have preferred not to risk the Ecuadorian, who is playing through injury.