Wolves’ first home game of the season ended in shocking fashion as they were smashed by a thrilling Chelsea frontline.
Noni Madueke grabbed his first Premier League hat-trick in just 14 second-half minutes, while Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson and Joao Felix also got on the scoresheet for the Blues.
The first-half performance from Gary O’Neil's men was promising, as Jørgen Strand Larsen and Matheus Cunha both grabbed equalisers which meant the score was level at the break.
The visitors tore the Wanderers back line apart at will in the second half though, and defensive issues will be the main worry that O’Neil will take forward from the contest.
Here are four things we learnt:
-
Wolves' new look defence is vulnerable
Last season, Wolves typically defended with a back three, consisting of Max Kilman, Toti Gomes and Craig Dawson.
Only one of the three started in this one, with Yerson Mosquera partnering Toti Gomes in a back four for the second successive game.
A lack of Premier League experience showed in the second period, as Chelsea’s pace caused major problems and panic.
Madueke and Palmer played through the new-look defence on a consistent basis, with Rayan Ait-Nouri having an extremely tough afternoon up against the former.
As usual, the Algerian was crucial going forward and was heavily involved in Cunha’s equaliser, but he struggled against the hat-trick man, and time after time the 22-year-old winger had the space to hurt Wolves.
-
Cunha and Strand Larsen are forming a dangerous partnership
Matheus Cunha and Jørgen Strand Larsen seem like a perfect storm for opposition defences, with the pace and creativity of the Brazilian, and the strength and finishing of the Norwegian, the two complement each other extremely well.
Cunha positioned himself well for his goal, peeling off Wesley Fofana and finding space inside the box before he finished powerfully past Robert Sanchez.
Strand Larsen drew defenders towards him with his presence, allowing the other creative talents wearing the Old Gold to flourish.
The 24-year-old also grabbed a goal with a tidy finish and, despite the final result, it could prove important in terms of his confidence to get his PL tally kicked off after just two matches.
Wolves have lacked a physical number nine since Raul Jimenez's serious injury in 2020, as other options struggled to make in impact.
If the Norwegian's early form continues, it looks like the club might have found a solution.
-
Reinforcements are needed
The sales of Max Kilman and Pedro Neto have brought in around £100 million for Gary O’Neil, however, reports have circulated that only £20 million of that will be made available to add to the playing squad this summer.
Despite the signings of the aforementioned Jørgen Strand Larsen, Rodrigo Gomes and Pedro Lima, this performance highlighted the fact that reinforcements are needed at Molineux.
Currently, the club have not replaced former club captain Kilman.
If O’Neil chooses to return to the back three and Craig Dawson back into the Starting XI, it will leave just Santiago Bueno as senior centre-back cover.
There is also very limited depth at left-back, after Hugo Bueno’s departure on loan to Feyenoord.
Matt Doherty, who is currently starting on the other side while Nelson Semedo serves a suspension, would be the first choice cover for the Algerian, as new signing Pedro Lima also favours the right-hand side.
Luca Koleosho, an exciting 19-year-old winger from Burnley, is the latest rumour circling Molineux.
The American netted in the Clarets’ 5-0 drubbing of Cardiff City in the second game of the season, and could be seen as one of the men who could fill the shoes of Pedro Neto, who assisted Joao Felix for the sixth on Sunday afternoon.
-
Forest fixture is crucial
Wolves’ opening ten fixtures make for pretty grim reading. The next three sides to visit the Black Country will be Newcastle United, Liverpool and Manchester City.
Also, there will be tricky away trips to Nottingham Forest, who have made an unbeaten start to the campaign, Aston Villa, Brentford and Brighton & Hove Albion.
No points from the opening two makes next Saturday’s fixture at the City Ground absolutely crucial, when O’Neil will face up to former Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo.
