Match Report: Chelsea survive crazy second half to beat Wolves 4-3

Chelsea have beaten Wolves – just about – to qualify for the next round of the EFL Cup after a 4-3 win at Molineux.

Things started so well for Chelsea. Just like at the weekend against Sunderland they scored within five minutes. Jamie Gittens started the game on fire, and his little lay off to Andrey Santos on the edge of the box after the team pressed well to win the ball back high up gave the midfielder the space to fire the ball home.

Gittens’ next contribution was even better. He surged down the flank and cut the ball back for Tyrique George, who just had to tap the ball over the line. Soon it was three – more good high pressure saw the ball fall to Estevao Willian, and the Brazilian pulled off a lovely chip over Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa before half time.

At that point, we were bemoaning the lack of youngsters on the bench to blood in the second half. In fact, it went totally the other way. Wolves got one back after some more slow, hesitant defending from the central defenders. Then a long throw brought the home team their second.

Then things got crazy. Chelsea brought on Liam Delap, who picked up two brainless yellow cards in the space of 7 minutes and was sent off. Then Chelsea scored through Gittens. Then Wolves scored a scrappy goal in the 91st minute.

What had looked like a dead second half in prospect turned into a very eventful one.

MOTM – Jamie Gittens

Analysis

It’s hard to know what to analyse from a game which saw ten changes made before kick off and then a pretty wild game. The team’s inability to manage a game, even at 3-0 up, is incredibly worrying however, no matter who is on the pitch.

The players continue to look naive and skittish, a far cry from the cool, level-headed professionalism you need to be able to win the biggest trophies. They can’t defend, at that just means they’re constantly on the edge of a negative spiral like the one we saw today.

As for the red card – we’re glad Enzo Maresca has actually decided to call out his players this time.

Teams

Stats

Quote of the game

“It’s embarrassing” – Enzo Maresca on his team’s red card.