Chelsea Thrash Wolves 6-2: Enzo Maresca’s Tactical Analysis and Key Takeaways
After a disappointing 2-0 loss at home, Enzo Maresca made history by becoming the first coach in Premier League history to see his team score six goals in his away debut, as Chelsea secured a stunning 6-2 victory against Wolverhampton.
It wasn’t exactly a game of chess—though some might argue it resembled a high-speed bullet chess match—but it was a glorious, frenetic, and highly entertaining contest. Nico Jackson opened the scoring for Chelsea in just the second minute, followed by a beautiful lob from Cole Palmer after a long ball from Sánchez. Despite Chelsea’s early lead, Wolves kept up the pace, and by halftime, the score was level. Wolverhampton actually edged Chelsea in terms of expected goals (xG), with 1.75 compared to Chelsea’s 0.79.
In the second half, Noni Madueke lit up Molineux Stadium with a hat trick, while João Félix and Pedro Neto each made their first contributions as Chelsea players, sealing a superb offensive performance. This result provides a much-needed confidence boost for Enzo Maresca and his team early in the season.
Match Report and Key Events
The match began with an early Chelsea goal, as Nicolas Jackson headed in a Cole Palmer corner just two minutes into the game. Wolves quickly regrouped and mounted a strong response. Matheus Cunha, who had been a thorn in Chelsea’s side before, equalized in the 27th minute. Rayan Ait-Nouri’s powerful run and assist allowed Cunha to score, making it 1-1.
Chelsea regained the lead shortly before halftime, with Palmer curling a spectacular half-volley over Jose Sa from the edge of the area to make it 2-1. However, Wolves managed to equalize once more in injury time when Jørgen Strand Larsen capitalized on a deflected cross to score from close range, sending the teams into the break level at 2-2.
Chelsea came out of the break with renewed intensity, and it didn’t take long for them to take control. Noni Madueke, who had already been a constant threat, put Chelsea ahead again just three minutes into the second half. His shot from the edge of the box took a deflection off Ait-Nouri, beating Sa to make it 3-2.
Madueke’s relentless performance continued as he completed his hat-trick in the 62nd minute. Cole Palmer, who had already notched a hat-trick of assists, played a crucial role again, setting up Madueke for his third goal, which put Chelsea 5-2 up.
With Chelsea in cruise control, new signing Pedro Neto, who returned to Molineux from Stamford Bridge, assisted Joao Felix to score Chelsea’s sixth goal in the 80th minute. Felix’s finish rounded off the scoring and underscored Chelsea’s dominance in the second half.
Malo Gusto’s Midfield Gamble: The Double Pivot Experiment That Needs Work
Chelsea opted to build from the back, with Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, and Marc Cucurella forming a back three, while Malo Gusto inverted into midfield to create a double pivot alongside Moisés Caicedo. Although this setup wasn’t disastrous, it left room for improvement. Malo Gusto, while excellent at pushing forward to support the wings, appeared shaky in the first half, lacking the technical consistency needed to play effectively in midfield.
Malo Gusto and Caicedo had an 88% and 86% passing accuracy, with two accurate long balls, yet conceded a few bad chances and left Chelsea vulnerable in transition when losing possession in midfield. Overall it was not necessarily a solid performance and Chelsea’s offensive efficiency in this game can help us overlook this aspect, but it is definitely an important area of improvement for Maresca’s team.
Enzo Steps Back to Step Up: Chelsea’s Captain Improves in New Role
After advancing up the pitch, Chelsea shifted into a 2-4-4 formation, with Enzo Fernández operating in the half-space and occasionally providing width on the left wing. Marc Cucurella, in contrast, held back and didn’t attack the flank as frequently as he used to. Fernández had a somewhat mediocre performance against Manchester City when he played as an attacking midfielder and number 10. However, this game marked a significant shift for Chelsea’s new captain.
Adopting a deeper position allowed Fernández to distribute the ball more effectively, utilizing his vision to deliver through-balls and line-breaking passes. The pass map shows he wasn’t focused on crossing into the box; instead, he took on a deeper role, launching attacks or switching play when needed.
Nicolas Jackson Picks It Up Right Where he Left It
Last season was a mixed bag for Nicolas Jackson, marked by both strong performances and controversies. Statistically, he was impressive, but many Chelsea fans felt he could have done more with the opportunities he had. His opening goal against Wolves, for instance, could be attributed to poor defending, as he was left unmarked near the far post for an easy header.
Jackson excelled in the chaotic second-round match, constantly battling for the ball and displaying impressive energy in his link-up play. Beyond a beautiful flick to Cole Palmer at the end of the first half, he played a crucial role in Chelsea’s fifth goal. After Enzo Fernandez won the ball high up the pitch, Jackson recovered it, shielded it from defenders, and pushed it forward to Palmer, who then found Madueke on the right wing.
Conclusions
Chelsea’s 6-2 win over Wolverhampton was a big moment for Enzo Maresca, showing off the team’s potential while also highlighting areas that need work. The standout performances from Noni Madueke and Cole Palmer demonstrated Chelsea’s attacking strength, but some defensive issues, especially in midfield, need fixing.
This victory is a great confidence boost and sets the tone for the season. As Maresca continues to tweak his tactics, finding the right balance between attack and defense will be key. While this win shows Chelsea can dominate and entertain, it also points out where they still need to improve.
