Matheus Cunha now has nine goals and six assists in 23 Premier League appearances this season
Matheus Cunha scored a hat-trick as Wolves came from behind to stun Chelsea and replace the Blues in the top half of the Premier League table.
Cole Palmer gave Mauricio Pochettino’s hosts a 19th-minute lead when he calmly slotted past Jose Sa following Moises Caicedo’s defence-splitting pass.
But Wolves levelled less than three minutes later when Cunha’s shot took a significant deflection off Thiago Silva and wrong-footed Djordje Petrovic.
The turnaround was complete shortly before the break, courtesy of another deflected shot, as Rayan Ait-Nouri met Pedro Neto’s cutback and sent the ball in off Axel Disasi.
The home supporters greeted the half-time whistle with boos but Chelsea were unable to produce a fightback of their own, instead falling two goals behind when the electric Neto beat Silva for pace and picked out Cunha for his second.
The Brazilian then completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot after being brought down by Malo Gusto, sending Petrovic the wrong way with eight minutes remaining to put the result beyond doubt before Silva headed in a late consolation.
Wolves’ thoroughly deserved victory moved Gary O’Neil’s side up to 10th, one point and one place above Chelsea after 23 games.
- Reaction to Sunday’s Premier League action
O’Neil’s Wolves on the rise
With the added incentive that victory at Stamford Bridge would lift them above Chelsea, Wolves brushed off the disappointment of losing out to a 97th-minute winner in their seven-goal midweek thriller against Manchester United to reach the top half of the table for the first time under O’Neil.
Wolves had not completed a league double over Chelsea since 1974-75, nor had they managed to win at Stamford Bridge in any competition since 1979.
That they brought an end to both of those waits on Sunday, in the manner they did, was the latest evidence of the terrific job O’Neil continues to do in his first season in charge.
There was no shortage of standout performers for the visitors, for whom Neto once again starred and went close to a goal of his own when he forced his way into the penalty area but could not beat Petrovic early in the second half.
Meanwhile, in the absence of top scorer Hwang Hee-chan, Cunha has now been directly involved in 12 goals in Wolves’ last 12 Premier League games – scoring seven.
- How did you rate Wolves’ performance? Have your say here
After Cunha completed his treble, O’Neil, only appointed on the eve of the new season, immediately switched his attention to issuing instructions and refocusing his team.
But he could not hide his delight as he celebrated at full-time with the travelling Wolves fans, who chanted his name throughout a significant win which leaves their sights fixed on the clubs above them.
“We tidied up bits that worked well against Manchester United and looked much better. It was a real good team performance and an enjoyable one for us, I can’t lie,” O’Neil told BBC Sport.
“We have come back from setbacks a lot. We suffered heartbreak three days ago. But it was straight back to business.”
A week to forget for Chelsea
Four days after being outclassed in a 4-1 midweek defeat at leaders Liverpool, Chelsea were outfought as their 10-match unbeaten home run in all competitions was brought to a painful end.
While there is an acceptance that they are in the early phases of a long-term project under Pochettino, Sunday’s meeting with a Wolves side keen to replace them in the top half was an important one as the hosts sought a positive response.
They made a promising start as Palmer scored his 10th goal in 20 league appearances during an outstanding first season at the club – but it was far from enough.
Hesitant Chelsea passing had already presented Neto and Cunha with early opportunities before the Blues went on to surrender their first-half advantage.
They struggled to create opportunities when chasing the game – a late flurry of chances when already three goals down aside – with Christopher Nkunku in particular starved of service in only his second league start.
- What did you make of Chelsea’s display? Send us your views here
The Blues have the same points tally as they did at this stage last season under Graham Potter, who was sacked six games later.
While Pochettino does not currently appear to find himself under the same pressure, the Chelsea fans were clear at full-time that this performance was not acceptable.
“I apologise to the fans and thanks to those who stayed and supported the team until the end. We are sorry and so disappointed,” Pochettino said.
“It is normal that we are not matching the history of the club. It is a different project and it is always a matter of time but it is difficult for me to always ask for time, time, time. It’s normal that the patience is not infinite.”
Player of the match
Matheus CunhaMatheus Cunha
with an average of 8.68
- ChelseaChelseaChelsea
- WolvesWolverhampton WanderersWolverhampton Wanderers
Chelsea
Avg
- Squad number20Player namePalmerAverage rating
5.05
- Squad number28Player namePetrovicAverage rating
4.26
- Squad number6Player nameThiago SilvaAverage rating
4.25
- Squad number23Player nameGallagherAverage rating
4.03
- Squad number18Player nameNkunkuAverage rating
3.94
- Squad number21Player nameChilwellAverage rating
3.61
- Squad number27Player nameGustoAverage rating
3.43
- Squad number8Player nameFernándezAverage rating
3.40
- Squad number42Player nameGilchristAverage rating
3.37
- Squad number2Player nameDisasiAverage rating
3.33
- Squad number7Player nameSterlingAverage rating
3.27
- Squad number25Player nameCaicedoAverage rating
3.13
- Squad number17Player nameChukwuemekaAverage rating
2.93
- Squad number10Player nameMudrykAverage rating
2.82
- Squad number15Player nameJacksonAverage rating
2.66
- Squad number5Player nameBadiashileAverage rating
2.57
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Avg
- Squad number12Player nameMatheus CunhaAverage rating
8.68
- Squad number7Player namePedro NetoAverage rating
8.45
- Squad number8Player nameJoão GomesAverage rating
8.02
- Squad number15Player nameDawsonAverage rating
7.99
- Squad number20Player nameDoyleAverage rating
7.99
- Squad number3Player nameAït-NouriAverage rating
7.97
- Squad number5Player nameLeminaAverage rating
7.88
- Squad number23Player nameKilmanAverage rating
7.84
- Squad number22Player nameNélson SemedoAverage rating
7.83
- Squad number21Player nameSarabiaAverage rating
7.77
- Squad number17Player nameBuenoAverage rating
7.72
- Squad number24Player nameTotiAverage rating
7.71
- Squad number27Player nameBellegardeAverage rating
7.71
- Squad number2Player nameDohertyAverage rating
7.70
- Squad number1Player nameJosé SáAverage rating
7.58
- Line-ups
- Match Stats
- Live Text
Line-ups
Chelsea
Formation 4-2-3-1
28Petrovic27Gusto2Disasi6Thiago Silva21Chilwell25Caicedo8Fernández20Palmer23Gallagher7Sterling18Nkunku
- 28Petrovic
- 27GustoBooked at 30minsSubstituted forGilchristat 81’minutes
- 2Disasi
- 6Thiago Silva
- 21ChilwellBooked at 78minsSubstituted forBadiashileat 81’minutes
- 25CaicedoBooked at 56minsSubstituted forJacksonat 63’minutes
- 8Fernández
- 20Palmer
- 23Gallagher
- 7SterlingSubstituted forMudrykat 72’minutes
- 18NkunkuSubstituted forChukwuemekaat 72’minutes
Substitutes
- 5Badiashile
- 10Mudryk
- 11Madueke
- 13Bettinelli
- 15Jackson
- 17Chukwuemeka
- 31Casadei
- 42Gilchrist
- 47Bergström
Wolves
Formation 3-4-2-1
1Sá23Kilman15Dawson24Gomes22Nélson Semedo5Lemina8João Gomes3Aït-Nouri21Sarabia12Matheus Cunha7Neto
- 1Sá
- 23Kilman
- 15Dawson
- 24Gomes
- 22Nélson SemedoBooked at 38mins
- 5Lemina
- 8João GomesSubstituted forDohertyat 90’minutes
- 3Aït-NouriSubstituted forBuenoat 87’minutes
- 21SarabiaSubstituted forDoyleat 72’minutes
- 12Matheus Cunha
- 7NetoBooked at 41minsSubstituted forBellegardeat 72’minutes
Substitutes
- 2Doherty
- 4Bueno
- 17Bueno
- 20Doyle
- 25Bentley
- 27Bellegarde
- 42Griffiths
- 62Chirewa
- 63Fraser
Referee:Tim RobinsonAttendance:39,628
Match Stats
Home TeamChelseaAway TeamWolvesPossessionHome64%Away36%ShotsHome15Away14Shots on TargetHome6Away7CornersHome10Away1FoulsHome15Away11
Live Text
Post update
Match ends, Chelsea 2, Wolverhampton Wanderers 4.
- 90’+11′
Full Time
Second Half ends, Chelsea 2, Wolverhampton Wanderers 4.
- 90’+11′
Post update
Offside, Chelsea. Cole Palmer is caught offside.
- 90’+10′
Post update
Corner, Chelsea. Conceded by Craig Dawson.
- 90’+10′
Post update
Attempt saved. Carney Chukwuemeka (Chelsea) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Cole Palmer.
- 90’+8′
Post update
Attempt missed. Conor Gallagher (Chelsea) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right following a corner.
- 90’+8′
Post update
Corner, Chelsea. Conceded by Maximilian Kilman.
- 90’+7′
Post update
Foul by Alfie Gilchrist (Chelsea).
- 90’+7′
Post update
Matheus Cunha (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 90’+4′
Post update
Attempt saved. Jean-Ricner Bellegarde (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
- 90’+1′
Post update
Foul by Benoît Badiashile (Chelsea).
- 90’+1′
Post update
Mario Lemina (Wolverhampton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 90’+1′
Post update
Attempt blocked. Conor Gallagher (Chelsea) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
- 90′
Substitution
Substitution, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Matt Doherty replaces João Gomes.
- 87′
Substitution
Substitution, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Hugo Bueno replaces Rayan Aït-Nouri.
- 86’goal
Goal!
Goal! Chelsea 2, Wolverhampton Wanderers 4. Thiago Silva (Chelsea) header from the left side of the six yard box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Mykhailo Mudryk with a cross following a corner.
- 85′
Post update
Corner, Chelsea. Conceded by Nélson Semedo.
- 82′
Post update
Goal! Chelsea 1, Wolverhampton Wanderers 4. Matheus Cunha (Wolverhampton Wanderers) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom right corner.
- 81′
Substitution
Substitution, Chelsea. Benoît Badiashile replaces Ben Chilwell.
- 81′
Substitution
Substitution, Chelsea. Alfie Gilchrist replaces Malo Gusto.
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