Chelsea 3 - 1 Wolverhampton - ORSOLTECH

Chelsea moved into the top four in the Premier League with a 3-1 win over visiting Wolverhampton after two second-half goals scored by Mark Cucurella and Noni Madueke saved goalkeeper Robert Sanchez from blushing.

The Chelsea goalkeeper's howler at Matt Doherty's corner kick allowed Tosin Adarabioyo to cancel out Tosin Adarabioyo's lead in first-half stoppage time.

But the Spaniard had compatriot Cucurella to thank as he restored Chelsea's lead in the 60th minute before Madueke gifted the Blues two goals just five minutes later.

But Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca defended Sanchez, saying: Sky Sports“The fourth mistake that led to a goal? How many times did we save? I think more than four.”

“No problem. Mistakes happen to him, the attackers and the centre-backs… No problem, Robert is in good condition.”

Despite Sanchez's error, Maresca's side ended a five-game winless run in the league to move up to fourth place – two points above fifth-placed Manchester City – while Wolves remain above the relegation zone on goal difference after a third successive league defeat.

Player ratings

Chelsea: Sanchez (5); James (7), Tosin (7), Chalupa (8), Cucurella (8); Caicedo (7), Dewsbury Hall (7); Madueke (7), Palmer (6), Neto (6); Jackson (6).

Submarines: Sancho (6), Disasi (6), Gusto (6), Felix (unavailable), George (unavailable).

Wolves: And in (6); Doherty (7), Bueno (5), Agbado (5); Semedo (6), Andre (6), Gomez (6), Ait Nouri (6); Sarabia (6), Cunha (6); Strand Larsen (6).

Submarines: Bellegarde (6), R Gomez (6), Guedes (6).

Player of the match: Trevoh Shaloba.

Free kicks were once again the undoing for Vitor Pereira's side as they conceded a corner kick in the first half after VAR overturned an offside decision against Tosin when he slotted home Reece James's deflected shot, while Matheus Cunha played the defender out wide.

Sanchez's voice then allowed Wolves to equalize in the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time as he dropped the ball at the near post and Doherty slotted home.

But after Cucurella put Chelsea back in front from close range in his 100th Premier League appearance, it was another set-piece that led to the Blues' goal as the impressive Trevo Chalupa, on his return from loan from Crystal Palace, rose to the top to score. Let Madueke go home.

Wolves' defensive problems continue under Pereira, with they now conceded the most goals (51) and the most goals from free kicks (19) in the Premier League this season.

Betty: Just punch, Sanchez!

Former Chelsea midfielder Emmanuel Petit talk on Monday Night Football:

“I don't know why he didn't hit the ball. He tried to catch it. He should have punched it.

“He was under pressure. He was very close to his goal line so (catching him) was a risk. If you want to be safe, to guarantee that, just hit the ball.”

Cara: Sanchez is a bottom-half goalkeeper

Sky Sports Jamie Carragher talk on Monday Night Football:

“All the free kicks are the same now, people trying to tackle the goalkeeper. He pushes a player away so now he has time to deal with it. He just has to hit it.”

“He's a Premier League goalkeeper. It's not a mistake. There's nothing there.

He added: “We keep getting signs that Sanchez is a Premier League goalkeeper, but perhaps for a team in the bottom half of the table and not for a top team.”

Team news

Chelsea made five changes from the home draw with Bournemouth with Trevo Chalupa starting alongside Tosin Adarabioyo at centre-back after being recalled on loan from Crystal Palace.
Captain Reece James made his first Premier League start since 3 November, while Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall earned his first league start with Pedro Neto also joining.
Josh Acheampong and Jadon Sancho were on the bench but Romeo Lavia, Enzo Fernandes and Levi Colwell were all absent.
Wolves made three changes from the loss to Newcastle as Matheus Cunha, captain Nelson Semedo and Pablo Sarabia returned with Rodrigo Gomez, Goncalo Guedes and Hee-Chan Hwang on the bench.

Mariska: Overall performance is good despite the glitches

Chelsea president Enzo Maresca to Sky Sports:

“In the first 40 minutes, we were in front. The performance was very good, we completely controlled the game, we scored, we created chances. Then the last five minutes happen, which happens several times in the last four or five games. We lost a little bit.” With confidence, we receive the goal and struggle a little.

“In the second half, we started well, and after the second and third goals, the game was in control.

“They gave a great performance, Tosin and Trev. But I think all of them – also Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who has been without a game for a long time. Overall, I think the performance was good. We are happy that we won the game. Then from tomorrow we will start thinking about (Manchester) City, which will definitely be a difficult match.

“In the last five matches, we created many chances and did not score. Tonight we scored three.”

Pereira: We have moments of confidence and moments without it

Wolves president Victor Pereira to Sky Sports:

“We faced a strong team, with players who can create chances. We started the game not the way I would like, defending a lot in a low area with problems controlling crosses into the box. We changed the wings – I think it was like that.” Good decision.

“After we started to be more compact, we started to play and create problems. We scored a goal. Second half – we started again not the way I like.

“We have moments when we play with confidence and others when we lose confidence, and this is something we must change.”

Chalupa shines in Chelsea's return

Sky Sports News Gail Davis at Stamford Bridge:

“The performance has lacked dominance and attacking intent in Chelsea's recent matches but Maresca will not care. His team took advantage of their chances and came away with their first league win since mid-December.

“Speaking of taking chances, Chalupa took advantage of a very quiet performance on his return to the club and almost scored a goal, along with Tosin who led the Wolves attack well.

“Sánchez's mistake aside, Chelsea looked comfortable after their wobbliness at the end of the first half.

“A word about Cucurella too – his goal eased the crowd's nerves in the 60th minute, scoring Chelsea's second as he started and finished the move. He may irritate those playing against him but he works hard and finished the evening in midfield.

“Chelsea get back the feeling of winning the league – taking them up to fourth place and now they can look forward to a big game at Manchester City on Saturday night, live on Sky Sports.”