Noni Madueke scored a 15-minute hat-trick as Chelsea claimed their first Premier League win under new manager Enzo Maresca in style to see off a Wolves side yet to earn a point.
All three goals by forward Madueke, who had been told to find consistency by Maresca during the week, were assisted by England midfielder Cole Palmer in a scintillating game at Molineux.
Nicolas Jackson headed Chelsea ahead after 98 seconds – the quickest top-flight goal so far in 2024-25 – before the returning Matheus Cunha struck for Wolves.
Palmer lobbed goalkeeper Jose Sa and Jorgen Strand Larsen poked in to make the scoreline 2-2 at the break, but Madueke’s treble and Joao Felix’s emphatic strike on his second debut for the club put Chelsea out of sight.
He’s starting to like this place. #CFC | #WOLCHE pic.twitter.com/rVDurNiFMK
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 25, 2024
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Wolves vs Chelsea result: Madueke magic
Speaking after Madueke scored his first goal of the season in Chelsea’s win at home to Servette on Thursday, Maresca said he wants the 22-year-old to stay at the club but acknowledged that he could leave before the transfer window closes on Friday.
If this is to be the England Under-21 international’s final top-flight game for Chelsea, it was some way to sign off and a riposte to Maresca’s remarks that Madueke has not always convinced him in training.
Madueke almost scored in the first attack of the game, Sa turning his effort behind before Jackson converted from Palmer’s corner, goading the home fans in a decision that caused a confrontation between players from both sides.
Palmer’s was the pick of the goals, although all three of Madueke’s strikes were clinical, while Joao Felix’s rising finish, arriving 12 minutes after the Portugal forward had entered the action and set up by fellow substitute Pedro Neto, threatened to take the roof of the net off.
🇵🇹#CFC | #WOLCHE pic.twitter.com/rYFWAbu4hh
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 25, 2024
Wolves start slow again
While the scoreline reads painfully for Wolves, Gary O’Neil’s side were unfortunate not to have scored at least once more during a chaotic first half and ended with a higher expected goals (xG) total than Chelsea.
Yerson Mosquera hit the outside of a post with a header in the 10th minute and Cunha had a goal ruled out for offside against Strand Larsen six minutes later.
In his second season in charge, O’Neil could take some comfort from reflecting that Wolves won one and lost four of their first six matches last season, including a 4-1 defeat in their first home game to Brighton & Hove Albion.
Wolves are next in action at home to Burnley in the EFL Cup second round on Wednesday (7.30pm BST) before visiting Nottingham Forest in the Premier League three days later (3pm).
Chelsea visit Servette on Thursday (7.30pm) protecting a 2-0 lead to reach the Europa Conference League group stage. They then host Crystal Palace next Sunday (1.30pm).
