Wolves away was always going to be a potential banana skin for Liam Rosenior and Chelsea and certainly, until Cole Palmer’s first penalty, Wolves lived up to that promise.
Chelsea were obviously firm favourites against the Premier League’s rock-bottom side, but Wolves have improved under manager Rob Edwards of late. The Midlands side were the better team to begin with.
That was until Matt Doherty needlessly conceded a penalty, and Palmer duly dispatched it. It would go on to be the first of a first-half hat-trick from the England star, who earned praise from Dimitar Berbatov.
Cole Palmer is back!
Palmer scores on his 100th start. Has any Chelsea player done more than him in that amount of games?
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Photo by Darren Staples / AFP via Getty Images
Instead of Wolves building on a solid start to the match, Rosenior is enjoying the plaudits after a seventh win from nine and a 100% record in the Premier League from four matches, since taking over at Chelsea.
Rob Edwards admits his hand is hurting after punching a door
Frustration from Wolves boss Edwards, who will know that the defeat to Chelsea was avoidable given the manner in which the penalties were conceded. Edwards described the decision-making as “ludicrous”.
Rob Edwards applauds the Wolves fans.
Photo by Brett Patzke – WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images
Speaking in his post-match press conference, Edwards admits he “thumped a door,” and it had left his hand hurting after watching the likes of Palmer and Enzo Fernandez find space between the lines.
“My hand is feeling the effect after thumping a door with it in a bit of anger. A really good start, but a couple of ludicrous mistakes against some really good players, it was going to be a difficult afternoon.
What are you enjoying most about Liam Rosenior’s football? 🤩
Robert Sanchez quotes on Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior
Photo by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
“At 3-0 down, it is about stopping the bleeding. They have Enzo, Cole Palmer and god knows how many others in pockets of space,” Edwards summarised, clearly frustrated with his defenders on Saturday.
Can Liam Rosenior make it five wins from five?
The win over Wolves has cemented Chelsea’s fifth-placed position, now four points ahead of Liverpool who take on Man City later today. There is every chance they finish the weekend with the gap intact.
But the race for the top four is just getting started. Man United’s improved form under Michael Carrick has them sitting fourth at the moment, a point in front of Chelsea. Villa are four ahead of Rosenior’s side.
Rosenior keeps on winning, though, and he will be disappointed if he doesn’t guide Chelsea to six points from the next two league games against Leeds on Tuesday and Burnley, after the FA Cup game at Hull.
Leeds on Tuesday promises to be a much tougher clash than Saturday’s affair, with Leeds in super form after a 3-1 win over Forest. But, Leeds are a lot better at home and the sides do battle in West London.
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