English Premier League Recap: Wolves 2 Chelsea 6 (With goals from Cunha 27, Larsen 45; and Jackson 2, Palmer 45, Madueke 49, 58, 63, Felix 80)
Through their unconventional approach to business planning and human resource policies, Chelsea continues to bedevil those who do not subscribe to blue-sky thinking. However, this doesn’t prevent them from delivering breathtaking football. It’s possibly this maverick approach that makes them not only great but also fun and headline-grabbing. This match certainly marked a triumph for their team builders who have crafted an enviable squad.
Despite the staggering 191 years of contracts divided amongst 42 players, the team boasts world-class talent. Cole Palmer stood out with an impressive goal and three assists, harking back to his form from the past season. The game initially seemed to slip away from Chelsea during the first half, but their strikers retaliated in the second, cutting through Wolves with ease and clearly relishing the game against a weaker opponent as compared to last year.
Noni Madueke faced jeers from the onset due to his controversial Instagram post mocking Wolverhampton. However, he retorted with a stunning 14-minute hat-trick, all assisted by Palmer – a testament to his role as an outstanding playmaker. Madueke, while celebrating his third goal, acknowledged Palmer for his contributions. For now, at least until the transfer window reopens, Chelsea enjoyed being a vibrant football team rather than the trading platform they are frequently ridiculed as, much to the delight of their new manager.
Conforming to Chelsea’s BlueCo ownership strategies, the team’s selection was quite suitable. While Raheem Sterling continues his personal training sessions away from the first squad, the considerably inconsistent Mykhailo Mudryk was given a chance to start. Furthermore, Romeo Lavia, another developing player, sat out due to a hamstring problem which also plagued his last season.
The ongoing Nicolas Jackson venture, which aims at crafting a marketable player, progresses. With every Chelsea player bearing a price tag, his early goal, a header ensuing from Palmer’s corner and an unintentional flick from Matheus Cunha, will surely add value. Jackson also played a significant role in Palmer’s goal.
Last season’s leading performer for Wolves, Pedro Neto, was seated on Chelsea’s bench till the interval. Gary O’Neil may regret selling off Neto and Maximilian Kilman, his previous defensive key player. Hints of malfunction after half-time were troubling. Both sell-offs were crucial due to Wolves striving for profit and sustainability. The first half saw good attack, but was lacking in a solid defence. They started their first home game of the season with great energy. Yerson Mosquera, the Columbian replacement for Kilman on his home debut, gave an intense start with a wide header inviting pressure on Wolves.
Cunha led the charge with his aggressive play. It seemed that an end-to-end move was about to be completed when he seemingly slotted Jørgen Strand Larsen’s pass, but an offside was called. VAR live up to its notoriety in Molineux by supporting the call. Amid the uninterrupted action with Palmer’s muffed attempt, saves against Madueke by José Sá, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde’s struggle to reach a cross, and Mudryk’s impressive lone dash down the middle, both midfields failed to provide any defence. Enzo Fernández and Moisés Caicedo seemed ill-matched as opponents advanced. For Wolves, Mario Lemina was impressive with his forward runs and precise passes, but wasn’t able to stop opposing onslaughts.
Describing the mayhem in the first half, the first goal for Wolves was scored by Rayan Aït-Nouri by penetrating Chelsea’s defence after Caicedo lost possession, assists Cunha to score the equaliser. This time, there was no flag, although referee Rob Jones had to step in when Jackson and Nunes clashed at the restart.
Throughout a racy first half replete with commotion, Wolves and O’Neil savoured victory momentarily before Chelsea surged ahead with a goal that was a perfect blend of skill and directness. Goalie Robert Sánchez served the ball to Jackson, whose deft touch was lobbed by Palmer past a hopeless Sá, Chelsea’s talisman, who celebrated his goal typically undemonstrative. Could Chelsea safeguard their lead? An Aït-Nouri free-kick, a flick from Bellegarde, and Strand Larsen’s smashing volley proved otherwise, ending the first half in a draw with adrenaline pumping action.
Following the halftime, Chelsea demonstrated exhilarating attacking play, while Wolves struggled to replicate their first half performance. The Wolves fans greeted the entry of Neto post-intermission with loud cheers, notwithstanding some sporadic jeering when he had possession of the ball.
Ironically, the actual carnage unfolded on the other flank. Palmer managed to serve Madueke thrice, enabling him to swerve and shoot past Sá. The first was unfortunate due to a deflection, the subsequent was pure negligence, and for the third, Sá was left defenseless.
Madueke took his time to bask in celebrations, much to the dismay of Chelsea fans. Aït-Nouri, who was caught off guard by Madueke’s heroics, was soon substituted. The Wolves tasted more bitterness as a mighty volley from Lemina, was disallowed by VAR, a technology that the club’s top brass had proposed to discard. The agony extended as Neto set up the first assist for Chelsea. Jõao Félix, whose comeback to west London was confusing, concluded the surprisingly lopsided match with the final goal that many found enjoyable.