Chelsea moved into the top four of the Premier League with a 3-1 home win over Wolves after second-half goals from Marc Cucurella and Noni Madueke saved goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
The Chelsea shot-stopper's howl at a corner allowed Matt Doherty to cancel out Tosin Adarabioyo's opener in first-half stoppage time.
But the Spaniard had compatriot Cucurella to thank as he restored Chelsea's lead in the 60th minute, before Madueke gave the Blues a two-goal cushion just five minutes later.
But Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca defended Sánchez against Sky Sports: “Fourth mistake that led to a goal? And how many times has he saved us? I think more than four.”
“No problem. Mistakes happen to him, the attackers, the central defenders… No problem, Robert is doing well.”
Despite Sánchez's mistake, Maresca's side ended a five-match winless run and moved to fourth place – two points above fifth-placed Manchester City – while Wolves remained above the relegation zone after a third straight league defeat at goal difference.
Set-pieces were again the undoing of Vitor Pereira's side as they conceded from a corner in the first half after VAR overturned an offside decision against Tosin as he punched the ball in after Reece James' deflected shot, with Matheus Cunha the defender played onside.
Sanchez's clash allowed Wolves to equalize in the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time when he dropped the ball at the near post and Doherty tapped home.
But after Cucurella put Chelsea back ahead from close range on his 100th Premier League appearance, it was another set-piece that led to a Blues goal as the impressive Trevoh Chalobah, on his return from his loan to Crystal Palace, scored highest rose and nodded down. that Madueke is going home.
Wolves' defensive problems continue under Pereira after conceding the most goals (51) and most set-piece goals (19) in the Premier League this season.
Petit: Slap it, Sanchez!
Ex-Chelsea midfielder Emmanuel Petit speaks on Monday Night Football:
“I don't know why he didn't hit the ball. He tried to catch it. He should have hit it.”
“He was under pressure. He was so close to his own line, so it was a risk [to catch it]. If you want to be sure and guarantee that, just hit the ball.”
Carra: Sanchez, a bottom half goalkeeper
Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher speaks on Monday Night Football:
“Every set piece is the same now, with people trying to block the goalkeeper. He pushes someone away so now he has time to deal with it. He just has to hit it.”
“He's a Premier League goalkeeper. It's not a foul. There's nothing wrong.
“We keep getting signals that Sánchez is a Premier League goalkeeper, but perhaps for a team in the bottom half of the table and not for a top team.”
Maresca: Overall performance good, despite a blip
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca to Sky Sports:
“The first forty minutes we were top. The performance was very good; completely dominated the game, scoring, chances. Then the last five minutes, which often happens in the last four or five games. We lost a little bit of confidence, give it the goal and struggle a bit.
“We started the second half quite well and after the second and third goals the game was under control.
“They did a fantastic job, Tosin and Trev. But I think all of them – including Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who was out of the game for a long time. Overall, I think the performance was good. We're happy to have won the game won. Tomorrow we will think about it [Manchester] City, which will certainly be a tough match.
“In the last five games we have created a lot of chances and not scored. Tonight we scored three.”
Pereira: We have moments of confidence and moments without
Wolves boss Vitor Pereira against Sky Sports:
“We faced a strong team, with players who can create chances. We didn't start the match the way I want, we defended too much in a low block with problems controlling crosses into the penalty area. We changed the wingers – I think it was a good decision.
“After we started to become more compact, we started to play and create problems. We score a goal. Second half – we start again, not in the way I want.
“We have moments where we play with confidence and others where we lose confidence and this is something we have to change.”
Chalobah shines on return to Chelsea
Gail Davis from Sky Sports News at Stamford Bridge:
“The performance lacked the dominance and attacking intent of recent Chelsea games, but Maresca doesn't care. His team took their chances and recorded their first league win since mid-December.”
Speaking of taking risks, Chalobah took his with a very composed performance on his return to the club and almost had a goal to show for it, alongside Tosin leading the Wolves attack well.
“Sánchez's blunder aside, Chelsea looked at ease after their shaky play at the end of the first half.
“Also a word about Cucurella: his goal eased the crowd's nerves after sixty minutes and scored Chelsea's second when he started the move and finished it. He may irritate those who play against him, but he works so hard and finished the evening in midfield.
“Chelsea are regaining that winning feeling in the league. It takes them up to fourth place and now they can look forward to a big game against Manchester City on Saturday evening, live on Sky Sports.”
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