Chelsea climbed to second place in the Premier League after a dominant 3-0 victory over winless Wolves at Stamford Bridge. The match marked a memorable moment for Malo Gusto, who scored the first professional goal of his career to open the scoring early in the second half.
After a cagey opening 45 minutes, Chelsea finally found a breakthrough in the 51st minute when Alejandro Garnacho’s precise cross from the left met Gusto, who drifted between defenders to head home from close range. It was a moment of relief for the home fans after a frustrating first half that had seen the Blues dominate possession but lack cutting edge.
Once in front, Enzo Maresca’s side took control. Substitute Estêvão Willian, introduced for the ineffective Liam Delap, transformed the tempo of the game with his flair and energy down the right flank. The Brazilian teenager made an immediate impact, dancing past Hugo Bueno before delivering a perfect cut-back for João Pedro to double the lead in the 65th minute.
Wolves, already struggling at the bottom of the table, completely lost their defensive shape as Chelsea turned on the style. Garnacho continued to torment the visitors’ back line and was again the provider when his swift counterattack run set up Pedro Neto to seal the victory against his former club.
The defeat leaves Wolves rooted to the bottom of the Premier League, still searching for their first win of the season after eleven matches. Their defensive frailties were once again exposed, with poor marking and lack of awareness costing them dearly. Caretaker manager James Collins admitted after the game that morale remains a challenge but insisted the players are committed to turning things around.
For Chelsea, this performance was a timely boost following an inconsistent home record this season. The emergence of Estêvão and the confidence shown by Garnacho and João Pedro provided glimpses of an exciting attacking future under Maresca’s guidance. With this victory, the Blues not only closed the gap on league leaders but also sent a strong message that they are back in the title race.
