Noni Madueke delivered a sensational hat-trick as Chelsea thrashed Wolverhampton Wanderers 6-2 at Molineux, marking Enzo Maresca’s first Premier League victory as Chelsea’s head coach.
This commanding performance follows Maresca’s initial 2-0 defeat to Manchester City in his debut match and a UEFA Conference League win against Servette earlier in the week.
Chelsea’s prolific start saw Nicolas Jackson head in from close range just 98 seconds into the game. The early goal added fuel to the fire, with tensions already high after Madueke’s controversial social media post.
The winger had shared and later deleted a critical review of Wolverhampton, describing it as “s**t,” which stirred discontent among the local fans.
Wolves responded with an equalizer in the 27th minute when Matheus Cunha netted after a slip from Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo allowed Rayan Ait-Nouri to set him up. Cole Palmer briefly restored Chelsea’s lead just before halftime with a clever lob over Wolves’ keeper Jose Sa.
The match saw further twists as Wolves managed to level again through Jorgen Strand Larsen early in the second half. However, Chelsea soon regained control with Madueke scoring twice more, first with a deflected shot and then with a precise finish through Sa’s legs. The 22-year-old’s third goal came from another Palmer assist, sealing his hat-trick and silencing the Wolves fans.
Joao Felix, making his debut for Chelsea following a permanent transfer from Atletico Madrid, added the final touch to the rout in the 80th minute. Felix blasted a stunning shot into the top corner after being set up by Pedro Neto.
In other Premier League action, Newcastle United salvaged a 1-1 draw against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. Marcus Tavernier initially put Bournemouth ahead in the 37th minute following a defensive lapse by Newcastle’s Joelinton. Newcastle equalized in the 76th minute through Anthony Gordon, who capitalized on a cross from Harvey Barnes.
The match ended controversially as Bournemouth’s Dango Ouattara had a stoppage-time goal ruled out by VAR for a handball, much to the frustration of the home side.
The weekend’s fixtures highlighted both Chelsea’s attacking prowess and the ongoing VAR debates in English football.