Chelsea got a much-needed victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers, and by a large margin too. The Blues were coming off a hard-fought win against Servette in the UEFA Europa Conference League (UECL) qualifiers, where they won 2-0.
Chelsea’s first league game of the season was poor, losing 2-0 to Manchester City despite a second-half resurgence. This game initially looked like it would go the same way, but smart passing, errors from the opposition, and clinical finishing saw the Blues score four goals in the second-half to win 6-2. 
The result was fantastic, and the game was eventful, but a 6-2 scoreline does not reflect how the game went, as cliché as that may sound. Here are some great, good, and not-so-good things the Pride of London wants you to take away from the Wolves thrashing.
The great: Noni Madueke, clinical finishing and use of transitions
Chelsea, especially in the second half, ran Wolves ragged, mainly because of how effective Enzo Mareca’s men were in transition, especially offensive transitions. The very short time it took for the away side to get the ball into shooting positions whenever it was turned over, meant that the Wolves backline and goalkeeper were almost always unprepared.
In the second half, Chelsea took double the number of shots as Wolves and created three more big chances than Gary O’Neil’s men. Maresca’s men seemed to have so much space to work with, and that was because Wolves kept turning the ball over while trying to play out from the back. The Blues punished them time and again.
Noni Madueke was sensational, putting Wolves to the sword every chance he got, and staking his claim as Chelsea’s starting right winger. Cole Palmer was also sublime, creating two big chances and providing three assists, all to Madueke. Nicolas Jackson also played very well, leaving the game with a goal and an assist. The Blues were outrageously efficient, netting six from 1.68 expected goals (xG).
The good: Cole Palmer, shot creation, and substitute impact
The West Londoners did well in creating all the shots they took on the day. Cole Palmer recorded eight Shot-Creating Actions (SCAs), more than double the amount for the corresponding highest for Wolves (3). Other players also contributed to shot creation, like Enzo Fernandes (4), Nicolas Jackson (3), and Madueke (3).
The impact of Maresca’s substitutes should also be mentioned. Pedro Neto came on in the 46th minute for Mykhailo Mudryk, and while his dribbling was rubbish, he did provide an assist. Joao Felix also scored on his return to Chelsea, slamming a shot into the top corner under no pressure from inside the box.
The bad: Wesley Fofana, first half, and shambolic defending
Chelsea again had a rubbish first-half, like against Manchester City in Matchday 1, and Servette in the Conference League qualifiers. Against Wolves, Maresca’s men were so poor in the first 45 minutes, that Wolves took eight shots, half of which were from big chances. Wolves also created more than double the Blues xG, accumulating 1.75 to the away side’s 0.79.
This many big chances allowed in a single game are high, but in a single half, it’s absurd. Chelsea benefitted from Wolves’ poor finishing, because Wolves still created one big chance in the second half, meaning that O’Neil’s men could still have hurt the Blues later on in the game.
Five big chances are way too many to concede in any game, and that is more embarrassing when it is against Wolves. This horrific defending has plagued Maresca’s Blues since the start of preseason.
Wesley Fofana’s sins started from the Man City game, where he only completed 1/6 long balls, but also 1/6 ground duels. In this game, the 23-year-old defender was equally bad in both departments, completing 1/5 long balls, and winning just 2/7 duels. He also committed three fouls, and failed in the only tackle he attempted. The former Leicester City defender may not keep his place for much longer.
Conclusion
Chelsea remedied the first-half performance with an extremely efficient second-half showing, but Maresca’s men should – and would – be aware that you cannot always get away with rubbish first-half performances. Four big chances allowed in one half is the same as waving away your right to a victory. That said, the efficiency Palmer and Madueke showed would be encouraging for many fans, especially since Chelsea doesn’t score six goals often.
