Chelsea eased to a 3-1 victory at bottom club Wolves on Saturday, as Cole Palmer’s first half hat trick did the damage.
WATCH — Full match replay
Palmer scored two penalty kicks and then smashed home a third in the first half as Rob Edwards’ Wolves were their own worst enemies. Tolu Arokodare did pull a goal back for Wolves in the second half and although they never gave up, they dug themselves too big of a hole to get anything out of this game.
Liam Rosenior has become just the second English manager in Premier League history to win his first four games in charge as Chelsea move on to 43 points and are right in the top four hunt.
Wolves remain bottom of the table and have eight points as they are 18 points from safety with 13 games to go.
Rosenior’s ruthless Blues
When Chelsea saw their moment to wrap up this win early at Wolves they took it. It wasn’t pretty, and it hasn’t been since Rosenior arrived. But they’ve won four in a row in the league and have become ruthless, efficient and determined to do whatever it takes to win. Under Enzo Maresca Chelsea often dominated possession, created chances galore and just played like they would eventually win. And often they would find a way not to win. Rosenior has added extra steel, urgency and directness. He’s admitted that he hasn’t had much time to work on the training ground since he arrived last month due to so many games in four different competitions. But the work he’s doing to shift Chelsea’s mentality is clearly working. The game understanding is improving, there is more pragmatism with two holding midfielders and the lack of risk taking on the ball is helping them grind out wins. Rosenior has created a more ruthless Chelsea in just a few weeks and the next step is to make them more fluid and prettier to watch. But he knows what is most important to Chelsea’s owners and fans: winning. As long as he keeps doing this, nobody cares how Chelsea are playing. Despite all of their talented players, that is the truth. And the biggest compliment you can pay Rosenior so far is that his Chelsea no longer look capable of beating themselves.
What’s next?
Wolves head to Nottingham Forest on Wednesday, while Chelsea host Leeds on Tuesday.
Wolves vs Chelsea score: 1-3
Arokodare 55'; Palmer 13', 35', 38'
Wolves vs Chelsea live updates! — By Joe Prince-Wright
Arokodare gets one back!
A corner is flicked on and Tolu Arokodare turns and finishes from close range. Game on!?
Chelsea should have probably had a third penalty kick!
My word, this was very close to another penalty for Chelsea. Jose Sa catches Joao Pedro but no penalty is given.
Half time: Wolves 0-3 Chelsea
Two terrible mistakes from Wolves to gift Chelsea two penalty kicks, as Palmer has a hat trick and this could get even worse for Wolves. Chelsea cruising.
Palmer slots home Cucurella’s cross, and he has a hat trick!
Lovely ball out to the left and Marc Cucurella’s cut back is perfect for Palmer to hammer home and complete his hat trick.
Joao Pedro wins another penalty kick... and Palmer slots home!
Joao Pedro is on the far side of the penalty box and going nowhere, but Mosquera puts out his arms and gives Joao Pedro a huge shove. What is he thinking!? Palmer scores his 50th goal for Chelsea on his 100th start for them in all competitions. Chelsea cruising. Wolves their own worst enemy.
Sa denies Malo Gusto
Malo Gusto is played in on the right of the box and smashes a shot towards the top corner at the near post, but Jose Sa saves really well. Palmer wanted the ball squared to him for a tap in.
Enzo Fernandez tries to score a Rabona!
The ball drops to him in the box and Enzo Fernandez tries a Rabona but Jose Sa saves from him in the box and Wolves somehow clear. Chelsea well on top now.
Joao Pedro wins a penalty kick... and Palmer scores
He is running away from goal but goes down as Matt Doherty has a nibble. Needless foul from the Wolves defender. Clear penalty kick and Cole Palmer slots home. 1-0 to Chelsea! Wolves had actually started well before that mistake from Doherty.
Wolves lineup
Sa; Doherty, S Bueno, Mosquera, H Bueno; Mane, A Gomes. J Gomes; Hwang, Arokodare, Armstrong,
Chelsea lineup
Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Andrey Santos; Palmer, Fernandez, Neto; Joao Pedro
Wolves team news, focus
New signings Angel Gomes and Adam Armstrong could come straight in as Wolves sold star striker Jorgen Strand Larsen on deadline day. Toti Gomes is out injured but Ladislav Krejci should be available. Woves’ 3-5-2 formation has made them more solid at the back and they are dangerous on the counter with youngster Mane a revelation.
Chelsea team news, focus
Pedro Neto, Reece James, and Filip Jorgensen are all doubts, while Romeo Lavia, Levi Colwill, Tosin Adarabioyo, and Dario Essugo all remain out and Jamie Gittens has suffered a hamstring tear and will be out for some time. Rosenior has been rotating his team so much due to Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, and League Cup action. His attack has been excellent in recent weeks with Joao Pedro, Estevao, Cole Palmer, and Enzo Fernandez all stepping up in different moments.
Wolves vs Chelsea preview
Rob Edwards’ Wolves have shown signs of genuine improvement in recent weeks but they are 18 points from safety with 14 games to go and relegation from the Premier League is all but confirmed as they lost 2-0 against Bournemouth last weekend. But they did make some decent signings in the January window and look likely to bounce straight back next season.
Chelsea surged back to beat West Ham 3-2 late on a thriller last weekend as Liam Rosenior has won his first three Premier League games as Chelsea’s manager. They did lose 1-0 at Arsenal on Tuesday in the second leg of their League Cup semifinal as they went down 4-2 on aggregate. But the Blues appear to be heading in the right direction despite some defensive issues.
Wolves vs Chelsea prediction
This feels like Wolves could keep it close but Chelsea’s strength in attack, especially off the bench, will prove too much. Wolves 1-3 Chelsea.
How to watch Wolves vs Chelsea live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 10am ET Saturday (February 7)
Venue: Molineux Stadium — Wolverhampton
TV Channel: Peacock
Streaming: Stream live on Peacock
