A run of five winless league outings in a row came to an end at Stamford Bridge, as Chelsea beat Wolves 3-1, rising up to fourth place on the Premier League table.
Tosin Adarabioyo scored his first Premier League goal to give the Blues the lead in the first half with a thumping header. But a preventable mistake by goalkeeper Robert Sanchez gifted Wolves’ Matt Doherty an equalizer just before the break, Sanchez’s fourth goal concession error this season.
Chelsea assumed control in the second half, and two quick goals settled a hard-fought win. Marc Cucurella, marking his 100th Premier League appearance, scored by turning in Noni Madueke’s deflected cross on the hour mark. Madueke added a third five minutes later, heading in from close range after Trevoh Chalobah had headed Cole Palmer’s corner goalwards.
The result means that Chelsea moves ahead of Newcastle United and Manchester City into fourth place and leaves Wolves in 17th — teetering just above the relegation zone on goal difference.
Wolves’ set-piece woes went on, with 19 goals conceded this way during the campaign, 11 from corner kicks, with both totals the highest in the league. The win is a morale boost for Chelsea as they seek to keep their top-four hopes alive.