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Chelsea came out of halftime with vigor, speeding past Wolves 3-0 in a smooth second half at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Alejandro Garnacho had two assists and played a role in all three goals as Malo Gusto bagged his first Chelsea goal and was joined on the score sheet by Joao Pedro and ex-Wolves star Pedro Neto.
Chelsea are the second team to the 20-point mark this season, and Enzo Maresca’s men go to the international break with a 6W-2D-3L Premier League record.
WATCH — Chelsea v Wolves full match replay
This was no nice one-off for Wolves interim boss James Collins, who is expected to give the reins to former Wolves player and current Middlesbrough boss Rob Edwards, despite a nil-nil score line at the break.
Winless Wolves stay at two points on the Premier League season, dead last on the table and eight points behind 17th-place Burnley.
More to come…
How to watch Chelsea vs Wolves live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 3pm ET Saturday (November 8)
Venue: Stamford Bridge — London
TV Channel: NBC
Streaming: Watch live on NBC.com & Stream live on Peacock
Chelsea vs Wolves final score: 3-0
Malo Gusto 51′, Joao Pedro 65′, Pedro Neto 73′
Chelsea vs Wolves live updates — by Nick Mendola
Final subs
A bit of bookkeeping
Wolves had introduced Marshall Munetsi and Mateus Mane, and Chelsea answered with Reece James and Marc Guiu before plugging Andrey Santos and Jamie Gittens into the fray.
Pedro Neto goal — Chelsea 3-0 Wolves
This has to be Garnacho’s best game in a Chelsea’s shirt.
He puts on the after-boosters on the left and leaves Santiago Bueno looking like a man in weighted boots.
Garnacho gets his pass to goal beyond two Wolves and Neto doesn’t blink at close range against his former team.
Garnacho finds Neto for Chelsea’s third v. Wolves
Chelsea work their counter attack to perfection as Alejandro Garnacho dashes down the wing before finding Pedro Neto inside the box for a tidy finish to give the Blues a 3-0 lead over Wolves at Stamford Bridge.
Joao Pedro goal — Chelsea 2-0 Wolves
Estevao involved in a goal almost immediately upon entry.
It’s Joao Pedro with the finishing touch but several Blues have the ball before Estevao’s dribble and cross from the right side is deflected onto the path of Pedro for an emphatic finish.
Estevao picks out Pedro for Chelsea’s second
Just moments after coming on, Estevao finds Joao Pedro inside the box to double Chelsea’s lead against Wolves.
Chelsea subs
Estevao Willian replaces Liam Delap in the 64th minute.
Malo Gusto goal — Chelsea 1-0 Wolves
At points in the first half he looked too hurt to play on, but the blue part of London is glad he found it in him. Garnacho sweeps a cross to the back post and both Gusto and Pedro Neto are situated to bury it with a good header. Gusto does it for his first ever senior goal for Chelsea.
Gusto’s first Chelsea goal gives Blues 1-0 lead
Malo Gusto times his run to perfection as he heads in his first senior goal for Chelsea to make it 1-0 against Wolves at Stamford Bridge.
Halftime — Chelsea 0-0 Wolves
The Blues out-attempt Wolves 11-0 with three balls getting to the keepers. It’s definitely their game but the danger level needs to be raised especially in terms of service to Liam Delap and Joao Pedro.
Johnstone intervenes twice
Garnacho has been very bright on the left side, and Johnstone has to slap away a dangerous cross and then the Blues’ bounding attempt at a rebound from outside the box.
Blues on the front foot
Alejandro Garnacho tests Sam Johnstone early and Liam Delap gets into a dangerous spot inside the Wolves box, all inside of 10 minutes.
Chelsea ornery to take advantage of a struggling opponent and avenge an uneven few matches in terms of performances.
Chelsea lineup
Sanchez, Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella, Caicedo, Fernandez, Neto, Pedro, Garnacho, Delap
Wolves lineup
Johnstone, Tchatchoua, S. Bueno, Krejci, T. Gomes, H. Bueno, Andre, J. Gomes, Bellegarde, Hwang, Strand Larsen
Chelsea vs Wolves preview — by Joe Prince-Wright
Enzo Maresca’s Blues had a long trip to Azerbaijan to face Qarabag in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday and a much-changed side coughed up a lead but then rescued a point in a 2-2 draw. They won 1-0 at Spurs last weekend thanks to a convincing performance and Maresca will be hoping for more of the same against struggling Wolves. They beat Wolves 4-3 at Molineux in a League Cup last 16 clash recently, but that was with a weakened side and they sat back when 3-0 up and gave away some sloppy goals.
Wolves have no manager and no wins through 10 games of the Premier League season as they sit bottom of the table on two points. Vitor Pereira was fired last weekend after they lost at Fulham and Wolves are in a terrible mess with fans protesting against the owners after another summer of selling star players. Wolves are already eight points from safety and even though it’s still early in the season, relegation looks extremely likely. Reports suggest Wolves want to hire Middlesbrough boss Rob Edwards to take charge.
Chelsea team news, focus
Injuries continue to be an issue for Maresca as Chelsea lost Romeo Lavia to yet another issue early in the match at Qarabag in midweek. Levi Colwill and Benoit Badiashille remain out in defense, while Chelsea are hopeful star playmaker Cole Palmer will return after the international break. Pedro Neto could be fit to play against his former club after a small issue, and he would likely start out wide with Estevao Willian and Alejandro Garnacho both scoring at Qarabag in midweek and pushing hard for places in the XI.
Wolves team news, focus
Rodrigo Gomes and Matt Doherty are injured, while center back Emmanuel Agbadou is suspended after being sent off last week at Fulham. This is all about damage limitation for Wolves and if they can sit in and defend well and grab a point, they will be absolutely delighted.
Chelsea vs Wolves prediction
This feels like a very straightforward home win for Chelsea who will swarm all over a Wolves side massively lacking in confidence. Chelsea 3-1 Wolves.
