Wolverhampton Wanderers came from behind to beat Chelsea 3-2 on Saturday afternoon, recovering from a calamitous first half to claim a result that will do their season considerable good.
Chelsea looked to have the match well in hand by the interval. Cole Palmer scored three times before the break, each goal arrived with the quiet efficiency that has defined his season, and a two-goal lead entering stoppage time seemed to offer Enzo Maresca's side every reason for comfort. Instead, the final minutes of the half unravelled badly. Ladislav Krejci pulled one back for Wolves, Adam Armstrong levelled almost immediately, and Rodrigo Gomes added a third seconds into the second half to complete a stunning reversal. Chelsea's defensive shape had simply dissolved under sustained pressure.
Tolu Arokodare extended the Wolves lead shortly after the restart, before Alejandro Garnacho, Marc Cucurella and Liam Delap all reduced the arrears in a frantic spell around the hour mark, with substitutes contributing heavily as Chelsea chased the game. Josh Acheampong, Jorrel Hato and Pedro Lima also found the scoresheet in a match that produced goals with extraordinary regularity.
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde's effort in the 79th minute, though ultimately in a losing cause for his side, capped an afternoon of remarkable scoring.
Wolves held on, and their third win from four league matches reflects genuine momentum. Chelsea, by contrast, will want to draw a line under this quickly.
Recap generated from the event timeline. Editorial team review by request. How we use AI.
