Relegation beckons when all it takes to undo 51 minutes of hard graft is a blow from a full-back hardly known for terrifying opposition defences. Wolves, though, are scared of everything these days. They are in a miserable state – so much so that Rob Edwards might want to think twice about leaving Middlesbrough to take charge at Molineux – and ended this game looking beaten, miserable and destined for the drop.
It turned into a rout once Malo Gusto popped up at the start of the second half to give Chelsea the lead with the first senior goal of his career. The right-back had not scored in 165 games for club and country but Wolves made it easy for him. Nobody reacted when Alejandro Garnacho, who finished with two assists for the first time in a Premier League game, swung in a cross from the left. The marking was dreadful and it did not need Gusto to be the best finisher in the world when he set Chelsea on the path to victory by heading past Sam Johnstone from close range.
Yet this is the problem when you have defenders who are surprised by everything. Wolves do not scent danger and their early defiance slipped away once they were behind. Chelsea, who are up to second, made their dominance count with further strikes from João Pedro and Pedro Neto.
It could have been worse. Chelsea laboured at first but Stamford Bridge came to life once Estêvão Willian was on in place of the ineffective Liam Delap. Wolves could not handle the Brazilian teenager’s skill and imagination. Hugo Bueno was tasked with stopping the 18-year-old, who had only been on the pitch for a minute when he crossed for João Pedro to make it 2-0, and must have been relieved to hear the final whistle.
Wolves, who have the worst defensive record in the league, were humiliated. No wonder their fans have turned on the club’s owners. The search for a replacement for Vitor Pereira has been messy. James Collins, the under-21s manager, has stepped in as caretaker and if Edwards joins he will be taking over a team rooted to the bottom of the league and winless after their first 11 games.
“It’s obviously a tough job,” Collins said. “What I would say to him is the boys are working hard. There’s not little cliques. That’s a good place to start. Our season isn’t going to be defined by Chelsea away.
Collins tried to find solutions against superior opposition. Coming up with answers against a deep back five has often been a problem for Enzo Maresca. Chelsea struggle when they fail to move the ball with enough intensity and they have not been in flowing form at home this season.
There were boos at the end of a disappointing first half. Chelsea were on top but lacked inspiration. Enzo Fernández and Garnacho drew early saves from Johnstone. João Pedro shot wide from 20 yards. Delap, starting for the first time since suffering a hamstring injury in August, was tightly marked by three centre-backs and made no impact before going off in the 64th minute.
Yet Wolves lacked belief on the ball. A surge from João Gomes created a three-on-two situation in the 19th minute but the move broke down when Jørgen Strand Larsen dribbled away from goal.
The visitors focused on spoiling. Chelsea were jeered when a malfunctioning corner routine ended with the ball going all the way back to Robert Sánchez in the 50th minute.
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The home fans had too much faith in Wolves’ defence. It was only another minute before they were celebrating the opening goal. Garnacho crossed and Gusto, ghosting between Toti Gomes and Hugo Bueno, was free to head past Johnstone from close range.
Tension lifted, Chelsea pushed on. The mood changed when Estêvão replaced Delap. Neto went through the middle and Estêvão electrified the atmosphere with his slaloming runs down the right. “He’s a top talent,” Maresca said. “He’s doing fantastic. For this club, in the next five, 10 years, he will be a top, top player.”
There was a surge of excitement when Estêvão glided past Hugo Bueno and pulled the ball back for João Pedro to score in a second consecutive league game. Wolves collapsed. Estêvão went close before a third goal arrived. Garnacho, so dangerous in transitions, sped down the left and crossed for Neto to score against his former club, leaving Chelsea to enjoy the rarity of an emphatic home win in the league.