Chelsea moved into the Premier League’s top four with a 3-1 home win over Wolves after second-half goals from Marc Cucurella and Noni Madueke spared goalkeeper Robert Sanchez’s blushes.
The Chelsea goalkeeper’s screamer from a corner allowed Matt Doherty to cancel out Tosin Adarabioyo’s opener in first-half injury time.
But the Spaniard had compatriot Cucurella to thank who restored Chelsea’s lead in the 60th minute before Madueke gave the Blues a two-goal advantage five minutes later.
But Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca defended Sanchez, saying Aerial sports: “Fourth mistake leading to a goal? And how many times has he saved us? I think more than four.
“No problem. Mistakes happen to him, to the attackers, to the central defenders… No problem, Robert is fine.”
Despite Sanchez’s error, Maresca’s side ended a five-game winless streak in the league to move up to fourth place – two points above fifth-placed Manchester City – while Wolves remain in the -above the relegation zone on goal difference after a third consecutive defeat in the league.
Set pieces were once again the undoing for Vitor Pereira’s side who conceded from a corner in the first half after VAR overturned an offside decision against Tosin when he headed home after Reece James’ deflected shot, with Matheus Cunha playing defender onside.
Sanchez’s clanger then gave Wolves an equalizer in the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time as he dropped the ball at the near post and Doherty tapped home.
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Matt Doherty takes full advantage of Robert Sanchez’s error to equalize for Wolves
But after Cucurella put Chelsea back in front from close range in his 100th Premier League appearance, it was another free-kick that led to a Blues goal as the impressive Trevoh Chalobah, on his return from his loan spell at Crystal Palace, stood up highest to nod. for Madueke to return home.
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Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall fires in Noni Madueke’s cross for Marc Cucurella to complete the move and put Chelsea back in front against Wolves
Wolves’ defensive problems continue under Pereira, having now conceded the most goals (51) and most saved goals (19) in the Premier League this season.
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Wolves fall to another free-kick as Madueke pushes Trevoh Chalobah’s header over the line to extend Chelsea’s lead
Little: Hit him, Sanchez!
Former Chelsea midfielder Emmanuel Petit speaking on Monday Night Football:
“I don’t know why he didn’t hit the ball. He tried to catch it. He should have hit it.
“He was under pressure. He was so close to his own line so it was a risk [to catch it]. If you want to be safe, to guarantee it, just hit the ball. »
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After his blunder against Wolves, check out Sanchez’s four errors leading to goals this season
Carra: Sanchez a goalkeeper down
Aerial sports Jamie Carragher speaking on Monday Night Football:
“Every set piece is the same now, with people trying to block the goalkeeper. He pushes someone away so now he has time to deal with it. He should just hit it.
“He’s a Premier League goalkeeper. It’s not a foul. There’s nothing there.
“We continue to receive signs that Sanchez is a Premier League goalkeeper – but perhaps for a team in the bottom half of the table and not a top team.”
Maresca: Good overall performance despite an incident
Chelsea chief Enzo Maresca has Aerial sports:
“The first 40 minutes we were in the lead. The performance was very good; we completely dominated the game, the score, the chances. Then the last five minutes come, which has happened several times in the four or last five games We lost a little confidence, conceding the goal and struggling a little.
“In the second half we started pretty well and after the second and third goals the game was under control.
“They did a fantastic job, Tosin and Trev. But I think they all – also Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who went a long time without a game. Overall I think the performance was good. We are happy to have won the match Then tomorrow we will start to think. [Manchester] City, which will certainly be a difficult match.
“In the last five games we created a lot of chances and didn’t score. Tonight we scored three.”
Pereira: We have moments of trust and moments without
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Following their 3-1 defeat to Chelsea, Wolves boss Vitor Pereira has criticized club captain Matheus Cunha and admits he didn’t like the Brazilian striker’s body language.
Wolves chief Victor Pereira has Aerial sports:
“We faced a strong team, with players capable of creating chances. We didn’t start the match the way I like, defending too much in a low block with problems controlling crosses into the box. We changed the wingers – I think it was a good decision.
“After we started to be more compact, we started to play and create problems. We score a goal. In the second half, we start again not the way I like it.
“We have times where we play with confidence and times where we lose confidence and that’s something we need to change.”
Chalobah shines on Chelsea return
Sky Sports News’ Gail Davis at Stamford Bridge:
“The performance lacked the dominance and attacking intent of Chelsea’s recent games, but Maresca didn’t care. His team took their chance and came away with their first league win since mid-December.
“Speaking of taking risks, Chalobah grabbed his with a very composed performance on his return to the club and almost had a goal to show for it, alongside Tosin who organized the Wolves attack well.
“A Sanchez error aside, Chelsea looked comfortable after their late first-half wobble.
“Also a word on Cucurella: his goal calmed the crowd’s nerves in the 60th minute, scoring Chelsea’s second goal as he started and finished the move. He might irritate those playing against him, but he works very hard and ended the night scrambling in midfield.
“Chelsea are getting that winning feeling back in the league. This takes them to fourth place and they can now look forward to a big game at Manchester City on Saturday night, live on Sky Sports.”
Saturday January 25 at 5:00 p.m.
Kick-off at 5:30 p.m.
