Chelsea cruise to win against managerless Wolves

SourceBBC

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Malo Gusto scored his first senior goal after 165 career appearances as Chelsea swept managerless Wolves aside 3-0 to move second in the Premier League.

The Chelsea defender headed in after 51st minutes of his 98th appearance since joining in 2023. Striker Joao Pedro added a second goal, and Pedro Neto completed the scoring.

Yet Chelsea had found it hard to create clear chances against Wolves in the first half, and some fans at Stamford Bridge booed the team at half-time.

But Chelsea did not allow Wolves – led temporarily by academy coaches James Collins and Richard Walker until the expected appointment of Middlesbrough manager Rob Edwards – a shot before the interval.

Meanwhile, Chelsea had multiple efforts saved from Alejandro Garnacho and Enzo Fernandez, with Joao Pedro going closest when he dragged an effort just wide before half-time.

After a frustrating half, Gusto headed in the first goal from close range at the far post after a cross from Garnacho.

Substitute Estevao Willian had been on the pitch for just 68 seconds before he set up his fellow Brazilian Joao Pedro for the second goal. Garnacho then started a counter-attack and crossed for Neto to make it 3-0.

It was an impressive outing for Garnacho, signed for £40m from Manchester United in the summer, especially having scored midweek to seal a 2-2 draw at Qarabag, as he delivered two assists for the first time in 99 Premier League matches.

The only shots of note from Wolves after they were 2-0 down included a 30-yard effort by Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and a strike from substitute Marshall Munetsi after a poor Marc Cucurella backpass.

Chelsea move up to second in the Premier League table after 11 games on 20 points, while Wolves remain bottom with just two points.