Noni Madueke completed a memorable 14-minute hat-trick as Chelsea beat Wolves 6-2 in a breathless encounter at Molineux to get their first points on the board in the Premier League.
Chelsea got off to a dream start as an unmarked Nicolas Jackson headed the visitors in front after two minutes, only for Matheus Cunha to equalise midway through the first half.
The Blues looked set to go into the break with the lead after a wondergoal from Cole Palmer but Gary O’Neil’s Wolves once again levelled, this time through Jorgen Strand Larsen.
The frantic contest continued in a similar vein in the second period as a deflected strike from Madueke gave Chelsea the advantage for the third time in the match and the winger had two more goals to his name inside 63 minutes.
Remarkably, Palmer set up all of Madueke’s goals, before new boy Pedro Neto combined with fellow summer signing Joao Felix to make it six with 10 minutes remaining.
The result sees Chelsea climb to seventh in the English top flight, with Enzo Maresca’s team securing their first win of the season following a 2-0 defeat at home to champions Manchester City last time out.
Robert Sanchez – 5
Sanchez had to be alert as Wolves pushed for an equaliser after Jackon’s opener, getting down quickly to deny an onrushing Cunha.
Was sent the wrong way for Cuenha’s clinical first-half strike but the major damage was done in the build-up, with Moises Caicedo clumsily stripped of possession in the middle of the park.
The Spaniard found himself rooted for the spot for Larsen’s goal but was by no means at fault for the strike.
Malo Gusto – 4
Gusto showed great desire and tenacity to shut down a lively Jean‐Ricner Bellegarde on the left flank as Wolves sought an equaliser during a frantic start to the match.
Lost Cunha at the back post for Wolves’ equaliser and the Frenchman’s frustrations rose to the surface after Wolves cancelled out Jackson’s opener, bringing Cunha down to pick up a yellow card.
He was perhaps fortunate to remain on the pitch after fouling Cunha with a risky challenge in the dying embers of the first half.
Wesley Fofana – 5
Wolves deservedly dragged themselves back into the game through Cunha in the 27th minute, but the home team were given a big helping hand by Fofana and Chelsea’s disjointed back four.
Fofana and fellow countryman Gusto found themselves sucked in by Rayan Ait-Nouri for the leveller, giving Cunha all the time in the world to set himself and pick a corner.
The former Leicester defender will be thankful his team-mates in the attacking areas of the pitch, namely Palmer and Madueke, combined to ensure Maresca’s squad return to west London with maximum points.
Levi Colwill – 6
Cunha proved a handful from minute one, causing Chelsea real problems in the opening stages, and Levi Colwill was called upon with a crucial slide tackle to block out the dangerous Brazilian.
The young England centre-back got a crucial touch on a 42nd-minute effort from Cunha to keep the scoreline all square before the pulsating drama unfolded at the end of the first half.
Marc Cucurella – 6
A triumphant Euro 2024 campaign with Spain appears to breathed new life into rejuvenated Marc Cucurella, who looks like a player reborn under Enzo Maresca.
Jackson should perhaps have doubled Chelsea’s lead after an exquisite through ball from Cucurella in the 16th minute and the full-back was comfortable for the most part.
Was booked by Darren England after contesting a lunging challenge on Caicedo, but Chelsea supporters won’t mind seeing that sort of character from the defender.
Moises Caicedo – 3
Started promisingly at Molineux but lost his way as the first half wore on and was carelessly dispossessed too easily by Bellegarde as the home time levelled in the 27th minute.
It proved another afternoon to forget for the former Brighton midfielder, who is still yet to live up to his £115m price tag.
Was forced off with an injury and replaced by Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall with 15 minutes remaining in the West Midlands.
Enzo Fernandez – 4
Once again wore the captain’s armband in Reece James’ absence but was largely anonymous in the Chelsea engine room.
Maresca will want to see far more from his skipper going forward this season.
Noni Madueke – 10
The Chelsea winger found himself the target of boos for much of the match after a social media gaff in the build-up to the clash, in which he branded Wolverhampton ‘s***’.
But an inspired Madueke silenced Wolves fans with a deflected strike past Sa to get Chelsea’s second half off to a dream opening – and the forward was just getting started.
It would be an afternoon to cherish for Madueke, who went home with the match ball after completing a memorable 14-minute hat-trick, all set up by Palmer.
Far and away Madueke’s finest performance in a Chelsea shirt to date.
Cole Palmer – 9
After a quiet display against former club Manchester City, Palmer’s frustrations continued as he somehow missed the target from close range in the 17th minute.
In fairness, the ball was fired across and came at Palmer quickly but Chelsea fans would have bet their houses on the England international converting a similar opportunity last season.
But with the clock ticking on the first half, Palmer dinking the ball over a despairing Jose Sa from 20 yards in a moment of sheer brilliance, sending Chelsea’s away support into raptures.
The forward then turned provider, assisting all three goals of Madueke’s sensational hat-trick to put the visitors out of sight in the second period.
The last player to provide three assists in a single match for Chelsea was Cesc Fabregas way back in April 2016.
Mykhailo Mudryk – 4
A scything run through Wolves’ defence was maybe the highlight of Mudryk’s performance, with the Ukrainian once again showing glimpses of the talent that convinced Chelsea to part with £62million for his signature 18 months ago.
Was taken off and replaced by Chelsea new boy Pedro Neto in the 46th minute.
Nicolas Jackson – 6
There has been plenty of noise surrounding Nicolas Jackson’s position at Chelsea across the summer but it was a dream start for the Senegalese at Molineux.
Jackson found himself in acres of space at the back post and the striker made no mistake, beating Jose Sa from close range in only the second minute.
SUBSTITUTES
Pedro Neto – 7
Received a warm welcome from Wolves fans as he was introduced in place of Mudryk at half-time on his old stomping ground.
Looked lively in possession and produced several nice touches before putting the ball on a plate for Felix’s strike in the closing stages.
Joao Felix – 7
Felix came on for Jackson with 20 minutes remaining at Molineux and showed his class with a composed strike past Sa in the 80th minute.
He will hope it’s the first of many after returning to Stamford Bridge.
Renato Veiga, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Christopher Nkunku
The trio were unable to make meaningful contributions after coming on as substitutes but did nothing to harm their chances going forward.
They will hope for an opportunity from the start with the club return to Europa Conference League action away to Servette on Thursday.
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