Chelsea eased the pressure on manager Enzo Maresca with a convincing 3-0 victory over Wolves at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, as Malo Gusto scored the first goal of his professional career.
Maresca had faced criticism for his constant squad rotation, especially after making seven changes in the 2-2 Champions League draw with Qarabag. Wayne Rooney had even suggested that Chelsea’s senior players should question their manager’s decisions.
The Italian, however, defended his approach, saying the modern game’s physical demands required rotation. Against Wolves, he once again made eight changes — and this time, it worked to perfection.
After a sluggish first half, Chelsea came alive after the break. French defender Malo Gusto broke the deadlock with his maiden goal since joining from Lyon in 2023. Joao Pedro soon added a second before Pedro Neto sealed the win, giving the Blues their fourth victory in five league games.
The result temporarily moved Chelsea into second place in the Premier League, six points behind leaders Arsenal, though they could drop a spot depending on the result of Sunday’s Manchester City vs Liverpool clash.
For Wolves, the defeat deepened their crisis. Sitting bottom of the table with nine losses in 11 games, they remain eight points from safety. Interim coaches James Collins and Richard Walker were in charge following the sacking of Vitor Pereira, while Middlesbrough boss Rob Edwards has been granted permission to speak to the club about taking over.
Chelsea, who only returned from their Champions League trip to Baku on Thursday morning, will be pleased to head into the international break on a high after a commanding second-half performance silenced their critics.
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