Chelsea moved into the top four of the Premier League with a 3-1 home win over Wolves after second-half goals from Mark Cucurella and Noni Madueke saved goalkeeper Robert Sánchez red-faced.
The Chelsea shot-stopper roared home from a corner, allowing Matt Doherty to cancel out Tosin Adarabioyo’s opener in first-half stoppage time.
But the Spaniard had compatriot Cucurella to thank for restoring Chelsea’s lead in the 60th minute, before Madueke gave the Blues a two-goal cushion just five minutes later.
However, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca defended Sánchez. sky sports: “The fourth mistake leading to a goal? And how many times has he saved us? I think it’s more than four.
“There is no problem. Mistakes happen to him, the strikers and central defenders… there is no problem. Robert is doing well.”
Despite Sánchez’s mistake, Maresca’s side went on to win five consecutive games and moved up to fourth place. This is 2 points higher than 5th place Manchester City. On the other hand, Wolves are still above the relegation zone in goal difference after three consecutive league losses.
A set-piece failed once again for Vitor Pereira’s side as they conceded from a first-half corner after Tosin overturned an offside decision when he slammed home a deflected shot from Reece James, leaving Mateus Cunha in defence.
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Tosin was ruled offside after Reece James’ deflected shot, but VAR overturned the decision and awarded the goal.
Sanchez equalized five minutes after half-time when Wolves dropped the ball at the near post and Doherty hammered home.
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Matt Doherty made the most of a Robert Sanchez error to equalize for Wolves.
But it was another set-piece that led to a goal for the Blues, with the impressive Trevor Chalobah, on his return from loan at Crystal Palace, rising highest to nod in after Cucurella came back from close range in his 100th Premier League appearance for Chelsea. For Madueke to head home.
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Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall fired in Noni Madueke’s cross for Marc Cucurella to finish the move to put Chelsea back in front against Wolves.
Wolves’ defensive problems continue under Pereira, with them conceding the most goals (51) and the most set-piece goals (19) in the Premier League this season.
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Wolves were caught in another set-piece situation when Madueke extended Chelsea’s lead with a header past Trevor Chalobah.
Petit: Just punch him, Sanchez!
Former Chelsea midfielder Emmanuel Petit speaking monday night football:
“I don’t know why he didn’t hit the ball. He tried to catch the ball. He should have hit the ball.
“He was under pressure. He was so close to his line that it was dangerous (to catch). If you want to be safe, hit the ball.”
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Following his mistake against Wolves, take a look at four of Sanchez’s mistakes that led to goals this season.
Kara: Sanchez is the goalkeeper in the second half
Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher speaking monday night football:
“Now every set piece is the same. People are trying to block the goalkeeper. He pushes someone away so now he has time to react. He just has to punch.
“He’s a Premier League goalkeeper. It’s not a foul. There’s nothing there.”
“We keep getting signals that Sánchez is a Premier League goalkeeper, but maybe one of the bottom teams rather than the top.”
Maresca: Despite mistakes, overall performance is good
chelsea president Enzo Maresca to sky sports:
“For the first 40 minutes we were at our best. Our performance was very good. We completely dominated the game, the goals, the chances. Then into the last five minutes, which has happened several times in the last four or five games, we lost a little bit. Concede the goals and struggle a bit.
“The second half started pretty well and we took control after the second and third goals.
“They were fantastic, Tosin and Trev, but I think all of them, as well as Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who had been without a game for a long time. I think overall the performance was good. We are happy to have won the game and then from there. Tomorrow we will start thinking about (Manchester) City, it will definitely be a tough game.
“In the last five games we created a lot of chances but didn’t score. Tonight we scored three goals.”
Ferreira: We have moments of confidence and moments of lack of confidence.
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Following the 3-1 defeat to Chelsea, Wolves manager Vitor Pereira criticized club captain Matheus Cunha and admitted he was not pleased with the Brazilian forward’s body language.
wolf president Victor Pereira to sky sports:
“We played against a strong team with players who could create chances. We played too much in the low blocks, not the way I like, and had problems controlling crosses into the box. We started with a good decision.
“After we started to get a little more compact, we started to play and cause problems. We scored a goal. The second half – we started again in a way that wasn’t the way I liked.
“There are moments when we play with confidence and there are moments when we lose confidence and that is something we need to change.”
Chalobah shines on return to Chelsea
Gayle Davis on Sky Sports News (Stamford Bridge):
“There has been a lack of dominance and attacking intent in Chelsea’s recent games, but Maresca won’t mind – his side seized their chances and secured their first league win since mid-December.
“Chalobah had a very composed performance on his return to the club, talking about seizing his chances and almost scored a goal with Tosin who commanded the Wolves attack well.
“Sanchez’s mistake aside, Chelsea looked comfortable after being shaken at the end of the first half.
“A word about Cucurella as well – his goal in the 60th minute set the crowd on edge, and Chelsea’s second goal came as he started and finished. He may irritate those who play against him, but he works very hard. And the evening ended with a busy day in midfield.
“Chelsea have regained that winning feeling in the league. This puts them in fourth place and they can now look forward to a big game at Manchester City on Saturday evening, live on Sky Sports.”
Saturday, January 25th, 5pm
Kickoff at 5:30 PM
