Chelsea managed their third win in three games under Graham Potter. The Blues put in a dominant performance against a lacklustre Wolves side who are still without a manager after Bruno Lage’s departure last week.
Graham Potter made seven changes from the team that beat Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in their last Premier League fixture.
Star performer Reece James sat on the bench ahead of the team’s trip to the San Siro on Tuesday, with club captain Cesar Azpilicueta being called into action for the first time under new manager Potter. Ben Chilwell also sat on the bench, as Marc Cucurella played in his place after recovering from illness. Kovacic, Sterling, Aubameyang also rested and sat in the dugout, whilst Thiago Silva was given a complete day’s rest and didn’t feature in the match day squad.
A depleted Wolves side travelled to Stamford Bridge without Ruben Neves who was suspended, whilst also missing Pedro Neto and Raul Jimenez through injury. Interim manager Steve Davis stood on the touchline for his first game since Bruno Lage left the team. Former Chelsea striker and Premier League winner Diego Costa started against his old club.
Chelsea were the dominant side from the first whistle and should have been more than one goal up before half-time. Chances came in abundance for Christian Pulisic in the opening stages, who grew into the game at a steady pace. Ruben Loftus-Cheek also had a stellar chance, but he blazed his effort over the bar. Conor Gallagher, Mason Mount and Cesar Azpilicueta stole the show, with excellent creativity and play coming from all three of them.
Chelsea handed Wolves a couple of opportunities from set pieces, but the Blues finally found the back of the net on the stroke of half-time. Mason Mount sent a delicious ball into the box, that Kai Havertz did exceptionally well to get on the end of. He rose above every Wolves defender, to send a looping header into the top corner of the net. The Blues went into half-time ahead 1-0, although that score-line flattered Wolves.
Christian Pulisic eventually got his goal less than ten minutes into the second half, as Chelsea looked to make a statement. Again, Mount was involved, as he and Pulisic exchanged an excellent one-two, before Pulisic finished impressively with a chip over Wolves Keeper Jose Sa.
Chelsea saw out the game comfortably and in style, as Wolves never looked like troubling the homeside. Wolves looked uncomfortable in defence and gave the ball away carelessly and far too often. They looked disjointed and in desperate need of a change, as rumours surface around the potential candidates for their next manager.
Chelsea academy graduate Armando Broja got on the score sheet just before full-time, for his first Premier League goal in Chelsea colours.
The game marked Graham Potter’s first home win in the Premier League as Chelsea boss, as they remain unbeaten under their new manager. Potter’s side have scored 9 goals in 4 games since he took over at Stamford Bridge. The result marked Chelsea keeping back-to-back clean sheets for the first time since April.
Wolves next meet a struggling Nottingham Forest, whether they will have a new manager at the Molineux before then remains to be seen. Chelsea on the other hand, move up into the Champions League spots, sitting in fourth, with a game in hand over those above them.
Comments