Chelsea moved into the top four in the Premier League with a 3-1 win over visiting Wolverhampton after two second-half goals scored by Mark Cucurella and Noni Madueke saved goalkeeper Robert Sanchez from blushing.
The Chelsea goalkeeper’s howler at a corner kick allowed Matt Doherty to cancel out Tosin Adarabioyo’s lead in first-half stoppage time.
But the Spaniard had compatriot Cucurella to thank as he restored Chelsea’s lead in the 60th minute before Madueke gifted the Blues two goals just five minutes later.
Enzo Maresca’s side ended a five-match winless run in the league to move up to fourth place – two points behind fifth-placed Manchester City – while Wolves remain above the relegation zone on goal difference after a third successive league defeat.
Free kicks were once again the undoing for Vitor Pereira’s side as they conceded a corner kick in the first half after VAR overturned an offside decision against Tosin when he slotted home Reece James’s deflected shot, while Matheus Cunha played the defender on the side.
Sanchez’s voice then allowed Wolves to equalize in the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time as he dropped the ball at the near post and Doherty slotted home.
But after Cucurella put Chelsea back in front from close range in his 100th Premier League appearance, it was another set-piece that led to the Blues’ goal as the impressive Trevuh Chalupa, on his return from loan from Crystal Palace, rose to the top to score. Let Madueke go home.
Wolves’ defensive problems continue under Pereira, with them now conceding the most goals (51) and the most goals from free kicks (19) in the Premier League this season.
Betty: Just punch, Sanchez!
Former Chelsea midfielder Emmanuel Petit talk on Monday Night Football:
“I don’t know why he didn’t hit the ball. He tried to catch it. He should have punched it.
“He was under pressure. He was very close to his goal line so it was a risk [to catch it]. If you want to be safe, to ensure that, all you have to do is hit the ball.”
Cara: Sanchez is a bottom-half goalkeeper
Sky Sports Jamie Carragher talk on Monday Night Football:
“All the free kicks are the same now, people trying to tackle the goalkeeper. He pushes a player away so now he has time to deal with it. He just has to hit it.”
“He’s a Premier League goalkeeper. It’s not a mistake. There’s nothing there.
He added: “We keep getting signs that Sanchez is a Premier League goalkeeper, but perhaps for a team in the bottom half of the table rather than a top team.”
Chalupa shines in Chelsea’s return
Sky Sports News Gail Davis at Stamford Bridge:
“The performance has lacked dominance and attacking intent in Chelsea’s recent matches, but Maresca won’t care. His side took advantage and came away with their first league win since mid-December.
“Speaking of taking chances, Chalupa took advantage of a very quiet performance on his return to the club and almost scored a goal, along with Tosin who led the Wolves attack well.
“Sánchez’s mistake aside, Chelsea looked comfortable after their wobbliness at the end of the first half.
“A word about Cucurella too – his goal eased the crowd’s nerves in the 60th minute, scoring Chelsea’s second as he started and finished the move. He may infuriate those playing against him but he works hard and finished the evening in midfield.
“Chelsea get back the feeling of winning the league – taking them up to fourth place and now they can look forward to a big game at Manchester City on Saturday night, live on Sky Sports.”
The story of the match in statistics…
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