Chelsea moved back into the Premier League top four with a fine, and much needed, 3-1 win over Wolves at Stamford Bridge.
Goals from Tosin Adarabioyo, Marc Cucurella and Noni Madueke were enough to give the Blues their first league win in six games and propel them back into the title race. They are 10 points behind Liverpool, but Enzo Maresca’s men have ended their dip in form.
It seemed likely from the start as Chelsea pushed Wolves deep, creating chances from space on the wings and taking advantage of Vitor Pereira’s side’s weakness at defending set pieces. Tosin’s opener came from a corner and a fortuitous, deflected strike from Reece James, with the Chelsea defender keeping himself onside to poke home.
There was a scare just before half-time as Matt Doherty drew Wolves level but a five-minute flurry in the second half saw Marc Cucurella and Noni Madueke turn the ball in to give Chelsea a comfortable win.
Relive Premier League action from Stamford Bridge with our live blog below:
Chelsea vs Wolves LIVE
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Chelsea defeat Wolves in the Premier League and move into top four
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65′ GOAL! Madueke adds a third (CHE 3-1 WOL)
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60′ GOAL! Cucurella arrives at the right time to put Chelsea back in front (CHE 2-1 WOL)
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45+5′ GOAL! Doherty pokes home after Sanchez fumble (CHE 1-1 WOL)
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24′ GOAL! Tosin scores first Premier League goal as Chelsea go ahead (CHE 1-0 WOL)
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17′ SAVE! Jose Sa denies Cole Palmer with strong left hand (CHE 0-0 WOL)
Chelsea FC 3 – 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers FC
Chelsea’s surprise ‘signing’ Trevoh Chalobah offers versatility to regain momentum with Wolves win
22:33 , Mike Jones
It was like he had never left Chelsea. Trevoh Chalobah, a familiar face around this corner of London, was summoned on a chilly night at Stamford Bridge for a team craving three points.
Enzo Maresca has been desperately searching for a performance, but most importantly a result, after five Premier League games without a win.
And after tumbling down to sixth and now poised to play the reenergised Manchester City on Saturday, Chelsea gathered vital momentum after an unspectacular 3-1 victory over Wolves.
It was Chalobah’s influence that was dearly felt by the hosts across the pitch, reestablishing their once radiant top four challenge that briefly threatened to flourish into a title tilt.
Chelsea’s surprise ‘signing’ offers versatility to regain momentum
Vitor Pereira admonishes Matheus Cunha for behaviour after Chelsea defeat
23:20 , Mike Jones
Wolves manager Vitor Pereira says Matheus Cunha needs to get his mind right after the striker stormed down the tunnel at Stamford Bridge instead of acknowledging the travelling supporters.
The visitors lost Monday night’s Premier League encounter 3-1 after goals from Tosin Adarabioyo, Marc Cucurella and Noni Madueke were enough to send Chelsea fc back into the top four and leave Wolves at risk of dropping into the bottom three.
Vitor Pereira admonishes Matheus Cunha for behaviour after Chelsea defeat
Vitor Pereira on Matheus Cunha
22:55 , Mike Jones
Matheus Cunha was a frustrated character at the end of the game, storming down the tunnel and no acknowledging the away fans.
Wolves boss Vitor Pereira said: “This is something that cannot happen again, the frustration is the frustration, I understand everything, we need to be together. And together we can fix the problems and stay in the PL, if we start to complain about this and that, with this it won’t work.
“He’s committed to Wolves, but when you start to listen to the other clubs, I think he’s human, the players start to be a little bit… It’s normal in football. He needs to put the mind in the target to increase his level.
“He comes from injury, it’s normal he’s not in the same level, to help the team with his quality, he has a lot, the team needs him with good energy, not with frustration, he must slow down and put the mind in the right way.”
Matt Doherty on progress under Vitor Pereira:
22:32 , Mike Jones
“When he came in we got ourselves a few good results, got into the next round of the cup as well. But we’ve got a run of fixtures now.
“We were looking at games like this, like Newcastle, as fixtures where we could pick up some points. We have Arsenal at home next and those home games you have to be looking at getting points.
“He has come in and brought a new lease of life to a lot of the players, myself included. Maybe he gets the message across a lot better to the Portuguese speaking players – they seem to have taken to him well.
“He has done really well and we like his ideas. We just need to be better than today.”
Madueke on Chalobah’s performance:
22:28 , Mike Jones
“Unbelievable. Leadership, character, bravery on the ball.
“He slotted in seamlessly so I am delighted for him. It is no coincidence with players like him and Reece [James] back in we won the game.
“They are Chelsea through and through and they helped us tonight with their leadership for sure.”
Noni Madueke speaking to Sky Sports:
22:25 , Mike Jones
“I got the hat-trick [against Wolves] earlier on in the season and it’s another one today. I’m delighted with the three points. It’s been tough for us and I’m always happy to score goals, especially somewhat easier ones like that.
“It’s instinct. Attacker’s instinct. I knew it was going over the line. I said sorry to Trevoh after. I had to put this in the net for sure. He was saying ‘no way you took my goal’ but I said ‘you have to understand, this is what they pay me for’.”
Doherty’s love for London
22:20 , Mike Jones
Matt Doherty’s last five Premier League goals have come against London clubs, with four of them coming in the British capital.
The last time he netted against a non-London club in the Premier League was Newcastle in April 2022.
Set piece troubles
22:16 , Mike Jones
Wolves have conceded 11 goals from corners in the Premier League this season, more than any other team.
They’ve conceded 19 goals from set pieces (excluding. penalties), at least seven more times than any other side.
Chelsea up to fourth
22:12 , Mike Jones
Chelsea’s win sends them into the top four and ahead of Newcastle and Manchester City.
Enzo Maresca doesn’t believe his team are in the title race, and it seems unlikely.
The Blues are 10 points behind leaders Liverpool who also have a game in hand.
That’s a big gap to claw back but there’s still time in the season to do so.
FT Chelsea 3-1 Wolves
22:05 , Mike Jones
FT Chelsea 3-1 Wolves
22:00 , Mike Jones
Chelsea moved back into the Premier League top four with a fine, and much needed, 3-1 win over Wolves at Stamford Bridge.
Goals from Tosin Adarabioyo, Marc Cucurella and Noni Madueke were enough to give the Blues their first league win in six games and propel them back into the title race. They are 10 points behind Liverpool, but Enzo Maresca’s men have ended their dip in form.
It seemed likely from the start as Chelsea pushed Wolves deep, creating chances from space on the wings and taking advantage of Vitor Pereira’s side’s weakness at defending set pieces. Tosin’s opener came from a corner and a fortuitous, deflected strike from Reece James, with the Chelsea defender keeping himself onside to poke home.
There was a scare just before half-time as Matt Doherty drew Wolves level but a five-minute flurry in the second half saw Marc Cucurella and Noni Madueke turn the ball in to give Chelsea a comfortable win.
Full-time! Chelsea 3-1 Wolves
21:58 , Mike Jones
90+5 mins: Chelsea get their win.
Enzo Maresca’s side jump back into the top four and are still without touching distance of the title race.
The more immediate result for the Blues boss is that his team are back to winning ways and secured three points at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea 3-1 Wolves
21:54 , Mike Jones
90+2 mins: Chance! A quick break from Chelsea sees Jadon Sancho bomb into the box with the ball before slipping it into the box for Nicolas Jackson.
Jackson shoots but sends the effort wide of the nearest post.
Chelsea 3-1 Wolves
21:53 , Mike Jones
90 mins: Five minutes of added time to play at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea 3-1 Wolves
21:51 , Mike Jones
87 mins: Tyrique George is on for his Premier League debut with Joao Felix a fellow substitute for Chelsea.
Cole Palmer and Noni Madueke come off.
Chelsea 3-1 Wolves
21:46 , Mike Jones
84 mins: Well into the final 10 minutes at Stamford Bridge and Chelsea’s confidence is being tested.
Wolves fling the ball up the pitch and work it into the box repeatedly.
There are a few shots but Chelsea defend them all and eventually clear.
Chelsea 3-1 Wolves
21:45 , Mike Jones
81 mins: Axel Disasi and Malo Gusto are on for Reece James and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
Chelsea are cruising.
Chelsea 3-1 Wolves
21:42 , Mike Jones
78 mins: Disallowed!
Nicolas Jackson gets the Stamford Bridge crowd excited with a fine finish but he’s offside in the build and the assistant referees spot it.
A reprieve for Wolves.
Chelsea 3-1 Wolves
21:38 , Mike Jones
75 mins: 15 minutes to play at Stamford Bridge and Vitor Pereira looks to his bench.
Rodrigo Gomes, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Goncalo Guedes come on for Rayan Ait-Nouri, Andre and Pablo Sarabia.
Chelsea 3-1 Wolves
21:37 , Mike Jones
72 mins: Wolves need to find a way back into this match now.
Chelsea are mightily comfortable and with a two-goal lead Enzo Maresca will want them to push for more.
Chelsea 3-1 Wolves
21:33 , Mike Jones
69 mins: Chelsea are right up for this now.
Cole Palmer dinks a free kick into the box but Matheus Cunha is there and manages to get the ball away before being cleaned out by Moises Caicedo.
The Chelsea midfielder is booked.
‘A goal from nothing, almost’
21:32 , Jack Rathborn at Stamford Bridge
“A goal from nothing, almost, Chelsea fans were irritated and Jadon Sancho stripped and ready.
“It all stems from a crunching, ankle-bending challenge from Moises Caicedo before the clever flick from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall finds Marc Cucurella unmarked in the box.
“A scruffy finish is only made possible by a cushioned first touch, and the hosts have the lead once again after a period of immense frustration.
“Now, Wolves need to go again.”
GOAL! Chelsea 3-1 Wolves (Noni Madueke, 65′)
21:29 , Mike Jones
Another one!
Cole Palmer floats a free kick into the far side of the box where Trevoh Chalobah leaps and nods the ball at goal.
The effort looks to be heading in but Noni Madueke makes sure by heading the ball over the line.
Chelsea have a cushion.
GOAL! Chelsea 2-1 Wolves (Marc Cucurella, 60′)
21:24 , Mike Jones
Oh that’s nice.
Noni Madueke hangs over on the right wing after receiving the ball from Reece James.
He curls a cross into the box that picks out Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall who dinks the ball on.
Marc Cucurella arrives in the box, controls the ball and taps it past Jose Sa.
Chelsea 1-1 Wolves
21:19 , Mike Jones
57 mins: Cole Palmer tees up Noni Madueke as the winger flies into the box.
Madueke pokes a shot at goal but the effort goes wide and out for a goal kick.
It’s a slowly and more reserved performance from the Blues in the second half.
Chelsea 1-1 Wolves
21:17 , Mike Jones
54 mins: A confidence boost for Robert Sanchez who comes off his line and plucks a cross out of the air.
The Chelsea goalkeeper will want to rectify his fumble from the first half that led to the equaliser.
Chelsea 1-1 Wolves
21:13 , Mike Jones
51 mins: Cunha swings another corner kick into the Chelsea box.
Wolves send players up to receive the ball but Cunha’s cross hits the side-netting without troubling anyone.
Chelsea 1-1 Wolves
21:11 , Mike Jones
48 mins: Chelsea start the second half in control of the ball.
Palmer feeds a pass out to Madueke who sends a cross into the box.
It comes to Cucurella who feeds Dewsbury-Hall. He sends it to Neto on the left but his cross is cleared away.
Second half! Chelsea 1-1 Wolves
21:08 , Mike Jones
Wolves restart the match and boot the ball over to the left wing. The ball bounces out for a Chelsea throw in.
No changes to speak of.
HT Chelsea 1-1 Wolves
21:05 , Mike Jones
Chelsea dominated most of that half with 11 shots and three on target.
In contrast Wolves had five attempts, most of which came in the final few minutes, with the only one on target being Matt Doherty’s goal.
Robert Sanchez won’t want to watch that goal back.
‘Some hope for Wolves?’
21:01 , Jack Rathborn at Stamford Bridge
“There’s an expectancy that something is about to happen when Matheus Cunha gets on the ball.
“After a quiet half and his inconspicuous presence ensuring the hosts took the lead after a VAR check, his impact is starting to bubble.
“The silky touches, the give-and-go to drift into space and then feints to work an opening, Chelsea are starting to be pulled around just by the Brazilian’s extra touches in the space between the area and centre circle.
“A positive end to a tentative half from Wolves.”
HT Chelsea 1-1 Wolves
20:57 , Mike Jones
Half-time! Chelsea 1-1 Wolves
20:53 , Mike Jones
45+6 mins: The whistle goes to end the first half.
Wolves’ goal brings an extra dimension to proceedings.
All to play for in the second half.
GOAL! Chelsea 1-1 Wolves (Matt Doherty, 45+5′)
20:51 , Mike Jones
45+5 mins: Wolves end the half with a corner that is curled into the penalty area.
There’s a bit of argy bargy which the referee deals with before the ball is sent into the six-yard area.
Robert Sanchez drops the ball and Matt Doherty is the first to react. He pokes the ball at goal and gets Wolves level in the game!
Chelsea 1-0 Wolves
20:49 , Mike Jones
45+3 mins: Chelsea have weathered a bit of Wolves momentum and now seem content to get to half-time.
So far, so good for the hosts.
Chelsea 1-0 Wolves
20:46 , Mike Jones
45 mins: Cunha must have been inspired by Vitor Pereira. He wins a free kick which Andre slips to Sarabia who crosses into the box.
The ball comes to Joao Gomes who’s flick back into the middle is met but Santiago Bueno but he can;t find the target.
Six minutes of added time to play at the end of the first half.
Chelsea 1-0 Wolves
20:42 , Mike Jones
42 mins: Andre goes in the book after Palmer spins past him.
The Wolves midfielder collects a deserved yellow card for hacking Palmer to the ground.
Chelsea 1-0 Wolves
20:39 , Mike Jones
39 mins: Caicedo gets a check up and he’s fine to continue.
Wolves need a bit of direction and intensity. Vitor Pereira has called Matheus Cunha over for more instructions.
The Wolves forward has had a quiet nights so far.
Chelsea 1-0 Wolves
20:37 , Mike Jones
36 mins: Moises Caicedo lunges into a 50/50 challenge with Andre and wins the ball.
He knocks it away from the Wolves midfielder who then falls on top of him.
Caicedo stays down and needs a bit of treatment. It seemed like a painful landing.
Chelsea 1-0 Wolves
20:33 , Mike Jones
33 mins: Noni Madueke is brought down on the edge of the Wolves box.
Reece James then delivers the resultant free kick which is initially dealt with.
The Chelsea players outside the box are keen to get on the ball.
Palmer collects and shoots but his effort is blocked.
Chelsea 1-0 Wolves
20:31 , Mike Jones
30 mins: Dewsbury-Hall sends the ball out to the left wing for Neto who controls it and comes inside.
Wolves’ defending is more solid and Chelsea are forced backwards.
‘An agonising wait for Chelsea’
20:30 , Jack Rathborn at Stamford Bridge
“An agonising wait to check Adarabioyo’s goal, which was originally chalked off for offside.
“But the hope from the home fans quickly turned to expectation with every second that passed and once confirmed by referee Simon Hooper.
“A loud roar broke out with Nicolas Jackson leading the celebrations around the giant centre-back, who appears to be one of the more popular members of Enzo Maresca’s squad.”
Chelsea 1-0 Wolves
20:29 , Mike Jones
27 mins: Chelsea have been rewarded for a dominant start. Can Wolves find a response?
The visitors win their first corner of the game and deliver it straight out of play.
A waste.
GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Wolves (Tosin Adarabioyo, 24′)
20:26 , Mike Jones
We have the first goal!
Another Chelsea corner is swung into the box and gets dropped down to Reece James on the edge of the box.
The Chelsea captain shoots and has his effort deflected to the feet of Tosin Adarabioyo.
The Chelsea defender controls the ball then smokes it into the back of the net.
It was initially ruled out by VAR but after a check Tosin was judged to be onside.
Chelsea 0-0 Wolves
20:23 , Mike Jones
23 mins: A chaotic scramble on the edge of the Wolves box allows the visitors to sweep up the pitch in a fine counter attack.
Pablo Sarabia feeds the ball to Matheus Cunha who sets the ball into a better position then strikes it wide of goal.
Chelsea 0-0 Wolves
20:21 , Mike Jones
21 mins: A slight knock to Jose Sa offers Vitor Pereira a chance to re-organise his Wolves team.
Rayan Ait-Nouri and Nelson Semedo have switched sides so that there’s more pace to handle Noni Madueke.
Chelsea up the tempo though and fly up the pitch once more.
Chelsea 0-0 Wolves
20:17 , Mike Jones
17 mins: Wolves work the ball well deep inside their own final third before picking out Strand Larsen with a fine pass up the pitch.
The forward is unable to control the ball and it bobbles out for a throw in.
Save! Chelsea send the ball back into play before feeding it to Cole Palmer on the inside left channel. He carries the ball up to the edge of the box before drilling a low effort at goal.
Jose Sa leaps to the left and pushes the ball away. That was a good chance.
Chelsea 0-0 Wolves
20:14 , Mike Jones
15 mins: Madueke flings another cross into the middle of the box and a forward-thinking Marc Cucurella arrives to launch his head at the ball.
The ball skims the top of hair and drops to a Wolves shirt before getting cleared away.
Chelsea 0-0 Wolves
20:13 , Mike Jones
12 mins: Despite Wolves playing with, effectively, a back five there is so much space on the wings for Pedro Neto and Noni Madueke.
Madueke switches the play to his opposite number who then feeds it inside.
The ball comes to Cole Palmer who then drives an shot from range wide of the target.
Chelsea 0-0 Wolves
20:09 , Mike Jones
9 mins: Trevoh Chalobah has started the match well.
He’s been involved in most of Chelsea’s defensive action and receives a high boot to the head from Jorgen Stand Larsen.
The Chelsea free kick is sent over to the right wing where Noni Madueke takes on Rayan Ait-Nouri before lifting a cross into the hands of the goalkeeper.
‘An electric start from Chelsea’
20:07 , Jack Rathborn at Stamford Bridge
“An electric start from Chelsea has tasked Wolves with an early test at the back, but they’ve come out on top in the aerial battles.
“The hosts are looking early and often to Noni Madueke out on the right and looking to stretch the game.”
Chelsea 0-0 Wolves
20:07 , Mike Jones
6 mins: Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall floats in a really decent pass and hopes to pick of Pedro Neto by the far post.
Nelson Semedo gets between his former teammate and the ball and manages to nod it behind for another corner.
Neto is on set piece duty this time but Wolves clear the ball from the box and kick forward on the counter attack… which comes to nothing.
‘A lively atmosphere at the Bridge’
20:04 , Jack Rathborn at Stamford Bridge
“A lively atmosphere under the lights at the Bridge.
“A fascinating move by Enzo Maresca, under immense pressure if he drops points here, with Man City next in the league.
“Suddenly he could be eroding that positive credit from earlier in the season.
“So he turns to a few unfamiliar faces, with Dewsbury-Hall handed a golden opportunity to show what he can do, he’s had to be patient.
“And the returning Trevoh Chalobah will be determined to grasp a chance after his loan spell to Palace.”
Chelsea 0-0 Wolves
20:02 , Mike Jones
3 mins: Chelsea win a corner courtesy of former Wolves star Pedro Neto.
Reece James hooks the ball into the box and finds Trevoh Chalobah who flicks it on to the far post.
Nicolas Jackson is there but only manages to turn the ball into the hands of the goalkeeper.
Kick off! Chelsea 0-0 Wolves
20:01 , Mike Jones
Cole Palmer gets the ball rolling at Stamford Bridge sending it back to Robert Sanchez.
The goalkeeper fizzes a long ball out to the right wing where it gets nodded down for Nicolas Jackson.
Jackson tries to spin but the ball is prodded away from him.
Chelsea vs Wolves
19:57 , Mike Jones
Here come the teams.
Cole Palmer starts for Chelsea who are hoping to move back into the top four.
Kick off is up next…
Pre-match thoughts from Reece James
19:50 , Mike Jones
Chelsea captain Reece James spoke to Sky Sports ahead of kick off.
He said: “We try not to dwell on the period that we are in. We haven’t won in a few games but these things happen. When you look across the Premier League at other teams they have had small spells where they have dropped off. We hope to put things right today.
“I think I understand the game reasonably well. I always try to help the team as much as I can and when I play for this club I always give my best.
“Consistency is key. Building game on game and not rushing. Hopefully I can put a string of performances together.”
A bit of Cunha magic?
19:45 , Mike Jones
Matheus Cunha scored a hat-trick at Stamford Bridge in Wolves’ 4-2 win last season.
Can he repeat that performance tonight?
Palmer key to Chelsea success
19:40 , Mike Jones
Cole Palmer (14 goals, six assists) is the first Chelsea player to register 20 or more top-flight goal involvements in consecutive campaigns since Eden Hazard did so in three straight seasons between 2012-13 and 2014-15.
Palmer has been involved in five goals in his last two league appearances against Wolves, scoring two and assisting three.
Wolves relying on foreign players
19:35 , Mike Jones
Seven of Wolves’ Premier League starting XIs this season have not contained an Englishman, only one occasion fewer than the total of the other 19 teams combined.
Chelsea dropping points from winning positions
19:30 , Mike Jones
Chelsea dropped just two points from winning positions in their first 17 league matches under Enzo Maresca, but have lost seven points in their subsequent four games with two draws and two defeats in that run.
Manchester United target Wolves left wing-back to strengthen squad
19:25 , Mike Jones
Manchester United are looking at Wolves’ Rayan Ait-Nouri as an alternative at left-back.
Ruben Amorim has made the position a priority this January as he seeks tactical balance for his team. Paris Saint-Germain’s Nuno Mendes is the top choice, having worked with Amorim before, but United are currently a significant distance from matching his €60m asking price and vast wages.
Man Utd target left wing-back and striker to bolster Ruben Amorim’s squad
An unwanted record
19:20 , Mike Jones
Wolves could become the first side to lose their opening three top-flight games of a calendar year by three or more goals since Nottingham Forest in 1910.
Chelsea would need to win by at least three goals tonight for that record to fall though.
A strong start
19:15 , Mike Jones
Wolves earned seven points from their opening three matches under Vitor Pereira but have subsequently suffered successive 3-0 league defeats.
Can they get back to winning ways tonight?
Chelsea need to improve at Stamford Bridge
19:10 , Mike Jones
Just 43% of Chelsea’s points this season have come at home (16 of 37), which is the lowest proportion in the top flight.
One reason for that will be the fact they have kept just one clean sheet at home in the league.
Can they shut out Wolves tonight?
Blues’ bad form
19:05 , Mike Jones
Chelsea are winless in five leagues games (three draws, two defeats), immediately following a run of five straight victories.
Reece James on ‘positives’ of Bournemouth draw
19:00 , Mike Jones
Chelsea captain Reece James came off the bench to earn Chelsea a point in a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth and says the team could have won all three.
“It was disappointing to only take a point from the game,” said James, who made his first league appearance since November in the match.
“We were dominating most of the game and we should have walked away with three points.
“Collectively as a team we had chances in the first half and sometimes in games when you don’t take the chances, the game goes on and they managed to get two goals.
“There are positives to take. The amount of chances we created for example. Anyone can beat anyone, we just have to put this game behind us now and take it game by game.”
There are positives – Reece James upbeat despite Chelsea’s winless run extending
18:55 , Mike Jones
Reece James said there are positives to be taken by Chelsea after his stoppage-time free-kick salvaged a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth.
Enzo Maresca’s side are now five games without a win in the Premier League despite their captain’s dramatic late intervention at Stamford Bridge.
That run has seen them drop from second place towards the end of December, when they were considered the side most likely to challenge leaders Liverpool, to fourth and at risk of dropping out of the Champions League places.
There are positives – Reece James upbeat despite Chelsea’s winless run extending
Wolves line-ups to take on Chelsea
18:50 , Mike Jones
Wolves XI: Sa; Semedo, Doherty, Bueno, Agbadou, Ait-Nouri; Joao Gomes, Andre, Sarabia; Strand Larsen, Cunha
Chelsea vs Wolves
18:50 , Mike Jones
Chelsea ended a run of three straight league defeats against Wolves by winning this season’s reverse fixture 6-2 at Molineux in August.
After a 4-2 victory at Stamford Bridge last season, Wolves are aiming to secure back-to-back league wins at Chelsea for the first time since February 1964.
Chelsea line-up to face Wolves
18:46 , Mike Jones
Chelsea XI: Sanchez; James, Tosin, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Dewsbury-Hall; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Jackson
‘They are a team with identity’
18:40 , Mike Jones
Vitor Pereira spoke about what he is expecting when Wolves take on Chelsea this evening.
He said: “They are a team that maybe five games away was a team to win the league. Now, because they are not getting the results, they have the same players, the same manager, top players a top manager.
“They are a team that has identity as a team, they play in the style where they have a model game, and we must go there with our identity and the things that we try to work every day, trying to increase every day.
“I’m not a coach that if I lose a game, I would change my mind. I’m a coach to create an identity, to increase the level, to increase the level to play in the same style, in the way to have intentions. We go to face Chelsea, trying to play our game.
“Of course, in the other side, we’ll face a team with quality, with top players, and against top players, you cannot consider the spaces and the time to play in the way that they like.”
Pereira’s team news update
18:35 , Mike Jones
The officials line-ups will be dropping shorting but here’s the Wolves manager speaking about potential absentees last Friday.
Vitor Pereira said: “Today he [Cunha] was out of the training because he’s got a flu. He is a bit sick, but I hope tomorrow he will be on the pitch, and maybe if he’s on the pitch training, it is a possibility to play the next game.
“Semedo is training and Toti is recovering. He’s recovering well and I believe [he will return] in one week – maybe, I’m not a doctor. But Toti is recovering well, Bouba [Traore] is working with us now after the injury in the knee and Sasa [Kalajdzic] is working with the medical department.”
Semedo on Wolves’ defensive issues
18:30 , Mike Jones
Wolves defender Nelson Semedo says the team have already improved under new boss Vitor Pereira but they know they have to stop conceding goals.
Semedo said: “We have to try to concede less goals or try not to concede goals at all.
“We know that it’s tough when you concede a goal, especially away against these teams it’s really hard, but we’re working hard with Vitor and the staff to make the things better.
“We’re already seeing improvements from everybody, so that’s what we have to keep doing.”
18:25 , Mike Jones
Speaking after Wolves’ defeat to Newcastle, Nelson Semedo said his team have no time to feel sorry for themselves.
“Tough evening for us. Losing is always bad, but we played against a good team. We had our chances as well,” the defender explained.
“We created a couple of chances that we didn’t score. Afterwards, we have to correct some errors that we had, but we have no time to waste. We have a big game on Monday, and we have to recover and get game ready.
“The team from the last month that you’ve been seeing is a completely different team.
“We did good games, good wins, away and home games. This is us.
“Today was not our day, but we have no time to waste, a big game to prepare for on Monday, so we go forward. I have to focus on my team and prepare the guys. Keep the positive energy and move on and move on. That’s the only way.”
We’re not embarrassed – Enzo Maresca defends Chelsea players over ref exchanges
18:20 , Mike Jones
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca rejected suggestions his team should be embarrassed by attempts to influence referees and called out key decisions that have gone against his side.
Defender Marc Cucurella was involved in an incident with Bournemouth’s David Brooks during last Tuesday’s 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge in which the Cherries player narrowly avoided being dismissed.
Brooks appeared to pull Cucurella’s hair and sent the Spain international falling to the ground, albeit theatrically, the same offence for which Southampton’s Jack Stephens was sent off against the Blues earlier in the season.
We’re not embarrassed – Enzo Maresca defends Chelsea players over ref exchanges
Maresca’s injury updates
18:15 , Mike Jones
Will Cole Palmer play for Chelsea? That remains to be seen after the midfielder failed to train with the team on Friday.
Enzo Maresca gave a update for some of the players who are doubtful for tonight’s match saying:
“We were without Cole [for training], he was not in the session. Levi [Colwill] was also not in the session, Enzo [Fernandez] wasn’t in the session, and Romeo [Lavia] wasn’t in the session. So we have three or four players who are doubts for Monday’s game.
“Cole had a kick in the ankle in the first half [against Bournemouth]. He didn’t train and we don’t know if we’ll train tomorrow or in two days. It’s the same situation with Enzo, Levi and Romeo.”
Reece James’ minutes will be managed
18:10 , Mike Jones
Reece James made his first league appearance since November in the draw with Bournemouth after recovering from injury and Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca says the captain will be managed to ensure he does not get injured again.
“For sure he’s important, but also in this moment he can be even more important,” Maresca said during his pre-match press conference.
“Reece is an important player for us and one of the most important because he’s our captain and because we know how good he is. Since we started he hasn’t always been fit, but he is better now and with him back we are happy.
“For Reece, it’s not about if he scores goals or how many minutes. It’s about managing his situation. So we will see.
“For sure, if he has played 45 minutes it means he can be ready [for Wolves], but what we don’t want with Reece is that we go again and he has an injury again. We don’t want that.
“Since we started, we are trying to help him and we are doing exactly the same at this moment.”
Maresca on his side dealing with a dip in form
18:05 , Mike Jones
Chelsea have not won in five league games but manager Enzo Marseca says this moment is a learning curve for his young side.
“They’re not kids,” the manager told the media before tonight’s match.
“They’re 20-year-old players most of them. They have to deal with that. If some moment like this happens, it’s not just us, it’s all the clubs. They’ve all had some moments like this, except Liverpool.
“It’s just how you embrace that moment and you try to react and try to start again to win games.
“It’s a new situation for them, they live now and probably the next time it happens they can live it in a better way.”
Enzo Maresca says his young Chelsea players ‘are not kids’
18:00 , Mike Jones
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca said his young side “are not kids” as he called on them to embrace the challenge of ending a five-game winless run.
The Blues have sunk to fifth in the Premier League since they last won a game on December 15 as their brief challenge to leaders Liverpool crumbled.
Maresca has always maintained his team – who have the youngest average age in the league at just under 24 – are not ready to compete for the title, even after they went on a winning spree before Christmas that took them to within two points of the summit.
Enzo Maresca says his young Chelsea players ‘are not kids’
Chelsea vs Wolves prediction
17:55 , Mike Jones
Despite a winless run in the Premier League now spanning five matches, Enzo Maresca’s side will take confidence from recent performances and should have enough firepower to get past the Wolves defence.
Whether the visitors can steal a goal or two at the other end remains to be seen but if they can it’ll be a close contest. If not, Chelsea should run out comfortable winners.
Chelsea 2-0 Wolves.
Early team news for Wolves
17:50 , Mike Jones
Mario Lemina has apologised to Vitor Pereira and said he is willing to play having asked not to be considered last week as speculation grows over his future. He may miss out anyway.
Predicted Wolves XI: Sa; Doherty, Bueno, Agbadou; R Gomes, Andre, J Gomes, Ait-Nouri; Hwang, Cunha; Larsen.
Early Chelsea team news
17:45 , Chris Wilson
Levi Colwill is a doubt for Chelsea, who are also without defenders Benoit Badiashile and Wesley Fofana.
Trevoh Chalobah has been recalled from his loan at Crystal Palace to bolster Enzo Maresca’s options in the back four.
Enzo Fernandez and Cole Palmer should overcome issues to start.
Predicted Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Caicedo, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Fernandez, Lavia; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson.
How can I watch it?
17:40 , Mike Jones
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage on the channels from 6.30pm.
A live stream will be available via Sky Go.
When is Chelsea vs Wolves
17:35 , Chris Wilson
Chelsea vs Wolves is due to kick off at 8pm GMT on Monday 20 January at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea vs Wolves
17:30 , Mike Jones
Chelsea will hope to get their stuttering campaign going again as they welcome struggling Wolves to Stamford Bridge.
Hopes of a title push have faded in recent weeks with Enzo Maresca’s side desperately short of form in a run of five Premier League games without a win.
They will climb back into the top four with a home victory over a visiting team looking to get back on track themselves.
The immediate upturn in fortunes brought about by Vitor Pereira’s arrival has been brought to an end by back-to-back 3-0 defeats, leaving Wolves level on points with 18th-placed Ipswich.
Chelsea vs Wolves LIVE
14:11 , Chris Wilson
Good evening and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s match between Chelsea and Wolves in the Premier League.
Chelsea are hunting their first win since the middle of December, while Wolves need any points they can get as they try to stave off relegation.
We’ll have all the latest updates right here.
First appeared on sports.yahoo.com