Chelsea breeze past winless Wolves to go second in the Premier League table

Chelsea secured a 3-0 victory over bottom-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge on Saturday night.

Enzo Maresca made eight changes to the starting XI that drew against Qarabag in Azerbaijan, with Liam Delap starting for the first time at home since his hamstring injury in August.

Enzo Fernandez had the game’s first real chance from a free kick, which was palmed away by Sam Johnstone.

The Argentine played Alejandro Garnacho through on goal with a lofted pass, but Johnstone was called into action again.

The Blues continued to search for an opener, and Marc Cucurella almost found the net after his long-range shot deflected off Fernandez, creeping just wide.

Fernandez continued to pose a threat when he forced Johnstone into another fine stop after his goal-bound volley was tipped over the crossbar.

Wesley Fofana saw his close-range attempt blocked, and Joao Pedro dragged his effort wide just before the break.

Chelsea started the second half strong like the first and was rewarded with the opener six minutes after the break.

Garnacho delivered a pinpoint cross unto the head of Malo Gusto for the Frenchman to head home his first professional goal in his 159th game in club football.

Delap could have doubled the host’s advantage, but his weak strike was collected by Johnstone.

Jean-Ricner Bellegarde got the first shot for the visitors past the hour mark, but he fired well over from a distance.

Estevao wriggled his way into the Wolves’ penalty area, and his low cross deflected into the path of Joao Pedro, who unleashed a powerful strike beyond Johnstone to give the Blues the two-goal cushion in the 65th minute.

Fernandez set Garnacho on the way with a through pass to chase, and the winger squared the ball across to an unmarked Pedro Neto to score against his former employers.

Substitute Marc Guiu almost increased the deficit minutes after coming on, as he struck the post from close range after Johnstone’s error.

Chelsea sits second for now on the Premier League standings with 20 points from 11 matches heading into the November international break.