Chelsea responded to criticism of Enzo Maresca’s rotation policy with a dominant 3-0 win over Wolves, featuring Malo Gusto’s inaugural career goal on Saturday.
Former Manchester United star Wayne Rooney recommended that Chelsea’s senior players question Maresca’s team selections after the Italian made seven changes in a 2-2 draw against Azerbaijani minnows Qarabag in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Maresca, having countered Rooney’s jibe by highlighting the escalating physical demands on players, proceeded to make eight changes at Stamford Bridge.
Notably, this was the sixth consecutive match in which Maresca had made seven or more changes, a tactical move that yielded a strong second-half performance and propelled Chelsea to second place in the Premier League.
French defender Gusto, who made the move from Lyon to Chelsea in 2023, netted his maiden professional goal after the break to give Chelsea the lead.
The advantage was then doubled by Joao Pedro, and Pedro Neto ultimately secured Chelsea’s fourth win in their last five league games, narrowing the gap with leaders Arsenal to six points.
Despite Chelsea’s impending drop to third place following Manchester City’s Sunday clash with Liverpool, Maresca can take comfort in quieting his critics before the international break.
Wolves, who are struggling at the bottom of the table, are under the temporary guidance of academy coaches James Collins and Richard Walker following the dismissal of Vitor Pereira last weekend.
The team faces a significant challenge, being eight points from safety after experiencing nine defeats in their last 11 league games.
Middlesbrough has allowed manager Rob Edwards to hold talks with Wolves about the managerial vacancy after finalizing a compensation agreement on Saturday.
Chelsea’s lengthy flight from Baku resulted in a six o’clock arrival in London on Thursday morning, and despite Maresca’s strategic switches, the team appeared jet-lagged in the first half.
– Chelsea hit their stride –
The Argentine winger Alejandro Garnacho, who scored the equalizing goal against Qarabag, missed a chance to score the opening goal in the early stages in west London.
Garnacho was sent through on goal courtesy of Enzo Fernández’s pinpoint pass, but his low drive was thwarted by a superb save from Sam Johnstone.
Johnstone produced another vital save for Wolves, acrobatically tipping Enzo Fernández’s fierce blast from the edge of the area over the bar.
Johnstone’s error, which enabled Fernandez’s corner to loop over him towards the goal, was a significant lapse, but Toti Gomes’s adroit clearance off the line averted a potentially disastrous outcome.
Chelsea’s supporters grew increasingly disenchanted with their team’s pedestrian passing and failure to convert possession into goals against Wolves.
Joao Pedro squandered a prime opportunity to alleviate Chelsea’s apprehensions on the cusp of half-time, shooting wide from an unmarked position on the edge of the area.
Chelsea faced booing at the interval, but their frustrated fans finally had reason to cheer in the 51st minute. Garnacho initiated the scoring play with a driving run and cross into the six-yard box, where Gusto headed home with confidence.
Maresca brought on emerging talent Estevao Willian, who swiftly made his presence felt, assisting Chelsea’s second goal in the 65th minute just 67 seconds after entering the game.
Estevao’s energetic burst led to a well-weighted cross for Joao Pedro, who powerfully struck the ball past Johnstone from 12 yards.
The Blues were in top form and Neto sealed the win in the 73rd minute, the former Wolves winger converting Garnacho’s inviting cross.
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