Chelsea 3-1 Wolves: Blues Secure Much-Needed Win to End Premier League Drought

• Tosin Adarabioyo’s opener put Chelsea ahead, only for Matt Doherty to equalize following a goalkeeping error.
• Marc Cucurella and Noni Madueke struck within minutes of each other in the second half to seal victory.
• Chelsea ended a frustrating five-game winless run and climbed back into the Premier League’s top four.

FROM STAMFORD BRIDGE – Chelsea earned their first Premier League win of 2025 with a commanding 3-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday night.

The Blues, who hadn’t won in the league since mid-December, delivered a dominant performance against relegation-battling Wolves. Goals from Tosin Adarabioyo, Marc Cucurella, and Noni Madueke ensured a much-needed morale boost for Enzo Maresca’s side.

Match Recap

First Half:

Chelsea started brightly, pushing Wolves back into their defensive third. Cole Palmer orchestrated play between the lines, while Chelsea’s wingers repeatedly exploited Wolves’ full-backs.

The breakthrough came in the 24th minute, albeit with Wolves gifting Chelsea the opportunity. Miscommunication between Matt Doherty and goalkeeper Jose Sa led to a Chelsea corner. From the ensuing second phase, Reece James’ deflected shot landed kindly for Tosin Adarabioyo, who calmly slotted the ball past Sa.

However, Wolves equalized on the cusp of halftime after Robert Sanchez fumbled a corner from Matheus Cunha. The ball spilled directly to Doherty, who redeemed his earlier mistake with a close-range finish to level the game.

Second Half:

Chelsea regrouped at halftime, reasserting their dominance as Wolves struggled to contain their fluid attacking play.

Marc Cucurella restored Chelsea’s lead in the 60th minute with a scuffed finish from just inside the box, capping off a swift team move. Noni Madueke and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall combined to set up Cucurella, who made no mistake with his effort into the bottom corner.

Minutes later, Trevoh Chalobah powered a header from Palmer’s free kick into the ground. Before it could reach the net, Madueke ensured the ball crossed the line, claiming Chelsea’s third goal.

From there, Chelsea eased off slightly, allowing Wolves to maintain possession but without any serious threat. The Blues saw out the match comfortably, collecting three vital points that lifted them above Manchester City in the standings.

Key Takeaways:

1. Defensive Contributions Shine
   Chelsea’s first two goals came from defenders Adarabioyo and Cucurella, showcasing the importance of set pieces and versatility in their lineup.
2. Noni Madueke’s Growing Influence
   Madueke’s energy and contributions in attack were pivotal, with a goal and an assist to his name. His directness continues to cause problems for opposition defenses.
3. Wolves Struggle in Defense
   Wolves’ vulnerability at set pieces and individual errors underlined their precarious position near the relegation zone.

What’s Next?

Chelsea will look to carry their momentum into their next fixture as they aim to solidify their top-four position. Wolves, meanwhile, face a crucial fight to avoid slipping into the bottom three as they desperately search for consistency.