Chelsea moved into the Premier League’s top four with a 3-1 home win over Wolves after second-half goals from Marc Cucurella and Noni Madueke saved goalkeeper Robert Sanchez’s blushes.
The Chelsea shot-stopper’s roar at a corner allowed Matt Doherty to cancel out Tosin Adarabioyo’s opener in first-half stoppage time.
But the Spaniard had compatriot Cucurella to thank as he restored Chelsea’s lead in the 60th minute before Madueke gave the Blues a two-goal cushion just five minutes later.
But Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca defended Sanchez’s telling Sky Sports: “Fourth foul that leads to a goal? And how many times has he saved us? I think more than four.
“No problem. Mistakes happen with him, the forwards, the centre-backs… No problem, Robert is fine.”
Despite Sanchez’s error, Maresca’s side ended a five-match league winless run to move up to fourth – two points above fifth-placed Manchester City – while Wolves remain above the relegation zone on goal difference after a third league defeat in a row.
Dead balls were another undoing for Vitor Pereira’s side as they conceded from a first-half corner after VAR overturned an offside decision against Tosin as he headed home Reece James’ deflected shot, with Matheus Cunha playing the defender onside.
Sanchez’s scrambling then allowed Wolves to equalize in the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time when he lost the ball at the near post and Doherty tapped home.
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Matt Doherty capitalizes on Robert Sanchez’s error to equalize for Wolves
But after Cucurella put Chelsea back in front from close range on his 100th Premier League appearance, it was another set-piece that led to a Blues goal as the impressive Trevoh Chalobah, on his return from his Crystal Palace loan , rose highest to nod down. for Madueke to go home.
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall latched on to Noni Madueke’s cross for Marc Cucurella to finish the move and put Chelsea back in front against Wolves
Wolves’ defensive woes continue under Pereira, who has now conceded the most goals (51) and set-pieces (19) in the Premier League this season.
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Wolves fall to another set-piece as Madueke pushes Trevoh Chalobah’s goal-bound header over the bar to extend Chelsea’s lead
Petit: Just hit it, Sanchez!
Ex-Chelsea midfielder Emmanuel Petit talking further Monday night football:
“I don’t know why he didn’t hit the ball. He was trying to catch it. He should have hit it.
“He was under pressure. He was so close to his own line so it was a risk [to catch it]. If you want to be sure, to guarantee it, just hit the ball.”
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
After his blunder against Wolves, take a look at Sanchez’s four mistakes that have led to goals this season
Carra: Sanchez is a bottom half goalkeeper
Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher talking further Monday night football:
“Every set-piece is the same now, with people trying to block the keeper. He pushes someone away so now he has time to deal with it. He just had to hit it.
“He’s a Premier League goalkeeper. It’s not a mistake. There’s nothing there.
“We keep getting signs that Sanchez is a Premier League goalkeeper – but maybe for a team in the bottom half of the table and not a top team.”
Maresca: Overall performance good despite the blip
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca to Sky Sports:
“The first 40 minutes we were on top. The performance was very good; completely dominating the game, goals, chances. Then in the last five minutes, what happens many times in the last four or five games. We lost a little bit of confidence, concede the goal and fight a little bit.
“The second half we start quite well and after the second and third goals the game was in control.
“They did fantastic, Tosin and Trev. But I think all of them – including Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who was out for a long time. Overall I think the performance was good. We’re happy we won the game. So from tomorrow we start thinking about [Manchester] City, which will surely be a tough game.
“In the last five games we created a lot of chances and didn’t score. Tonight we scored three.”
Pereira: We have moments of confidence and moments without
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Following their 3-1 defeat to Chelsea, Wolves boss Vitor Pereira was critical of club captain Matheus Cunha and admits he did not like the Brazilian striker’s body language.
Wolves boss Vitor Pereira to Sky Sports:
“We faced a strong team with players who can create chances. We didn’t start the game the way I like and defended too much in a low block with problems controlling crosses into the box. We changed the wingers – I think it was a good decision.
“After we started to be more compact, we started to play and create problems. We score a goal. Second half – again we don’t start the way I like.
“We have moments where we play with confidence and others where we lose confidence and that’s something we have to change.”
Chalobah shines on Chelsea’s return
Sky Sports News’ Gail Davis at Stamford Bridge:
“The performance lacked the dominance and attacking intent of recent Chelsea games, but Maresca doesn’t care. His side took their chances and came away with their first league win since mid-December.
– Speaking of taking chances, Chalobah grabbed his with a very composed performance on his return to the club and he almost had a goal to show for it, with Tosin organizing the Wolves attack well.
“A Sanchez blunder aside, Chelsea looked comfortable after their wobble at the end of the first half.
“A word about Cucurella too – his goal eased the nerves of the crowd after 60 minutes and scored Chelsea’s second as he started and finished the move. He might annoy those who played against him but he works so hard and ended the night with a flurry of the midfield.
“Chelsea are regaining that winning feeling in the league – it takes them up to fourth place and now they can look forward to a big game at Manchester City on Saturday night, live on Sky Sports.”
Saturday 25 January at 17.00
Kick off 17.30
