Noni Madueke’s 14-minute second-half hat-trick sealed Chelsea’s stunning 6-2 win at a worryingly weak Wolves.
Cole Palmer teed up all three of Madueke’s goals and struck a fine effort of his own, with Nicolas Jackson and Joao Felix also on target as Chelsea ran riot for Enzo Maresca’s first Premier League win at the Blues helm.
Here, Standard Sport rates the Chelsea performances.
Robert Sanchez 8
His defence-splitting pass for Cole Palmer’s goal had his team-mates rushing straight to him to celebrate. Maresca wants his goalkeeper to be smart on the ball and initiative moves exactly like this. Sanchez will take great heart from stepping his game in possession here.
Malo Gusto 7
Neat and tidy overall, though unable to profit as much as he might have liked on the ball when inverting off the right flank.
Wesley Fofana 7
Will be frustrated by the two goals Chelsea conceded, but was largely untroubled after half-time as Wolves folded.
Levi Colwill 7
So comfortable on the ball and has all the ability in the world to develop into a true stalwart, and showed all of that again in the Midlands.
Marc Cucurella 7
A tidy showing from the Spain star, who could never quite cut loose on the ball, but who also was not required to on a day where others took the headlines.
Moises Caicedo 7
A neat performance from the former Brighton man who appears to be growing in confidence in Chelsea’s midfield.
Enzo Fernandez 7
Another who is finding his niche in terms of his playing position. His Blues team-mates are also getting better at understanding where he wants to find space, in order to try to thread killer passes.
Noni Madueke 9
Maybe he should criticise every host town and city that Chelsea visit on their travels.
If his expletive-laden appraisal of Wolverhampton drew Midlands ire and a social media apology from the Chelsea winger, it did nothing for his performance. Three times teed up by Palmer, three times he slotted home. A nerveless and combative showing, especially after his Instagram misstep.
Cole Palmer 9
Three assists and a fine goal of his own proved the perfect way to show the Premier League that last term’s startling form was no one-off.
Mykhailo Mudryk 7
Threatened on the ball several times but could never quite cut clear. Still showed promise of his full capabilities, that will leave Maresca still invested in his Chelsea future.
Nicolas Jackson 8
A goal and an assist for the Senegal man, who started the ball rolling and grafted hard all afternoon. Excellent reward for a fine all-round performance.
Subs
Pedro Neto (for Mudryk, 46) 8
Kept calm and teed up Felix for Chelsea’s sixth goal amid one of many raids down the left flank in a smart cameo.
Joao Felix (for Jackson, 67) 8
Took his goal well in his first appearance since joining the Blues permanently. Looked settled straight away coming off the bench.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (for Caicedo, 75) 7
Will not have many easier assignments in Chelsea blue but looked composed nonetheless.
Renato Veiga (for Cucurella, 82) 7
Wolves were already bested by the time he arrived, but again he looked solid enough in all facets.
Christopher Nkunku (for Palmer, 82) 7
Hardly had much chance to open up given the damage was already done, but still looked to put himself about.
