Chelsea Reclaims Top-Four Spot with Victory Over Wolves

Chelsea won for the first time in six Premier League games on Monday, defeating relegation-threatened Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-1 at home, with goals from defenders Tosin Adarabioyo and Marc Cucurella, and a third from winger Noni Madueke.

The victory propelled Chelsea, who had been second as recently as last month, past Manchester City and Newcastle United into fourth position. At the same time, Wolves remained out of the bottom three only on goal difference, ahead of Ipswich Town.

Tosin side footed home from close range in the 24th minute for the hosts, who were looking to reclaim their Champions League spot for the next season. 

However, Wolves equalized in first-half stoppage time as goalkeeper Robert Sánchez missed a corner and Matt Doherty punched it in.

The home fans were worried about a repetition of recent games in which Chelsea threw away leads, but Cucurella sprung up in attack to score after Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall -- making his first league start for the Blues -- flicked on a Madueke cross on the hour.

Five minutes later, Madueke nodded in a header from Trevoh Chalobah, who had returned to Stamford Bridge after being recalled following a loan spell at Crystal Palace. 

"It is instinct. "Attacker's instinct," Madueke told Sky Sports. "I knew it was crossing the line. I apologized to Trevoh afterward. I had to publish this on the internet for sure.

"He was saying 'No way you took my goal,' but I said: 'You have to understand, this is what they pay me for.'"

Chelsea has 40 points after 22 games, 10 behind leaders Liverpool and four behind second-place Arsenal and Nottingham Forest. They are two points ahead of Manchester City and Newcastle. 

Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca was encouraged by the return of club captain Reece James, who made his first start following the latest in a succession of injury absences.

"The performance was excellent until 40 minutes, but we battled in the final five minutes. They scored a goal, and we lost some confidence, as has happened several times this season," Maresca told the BBC. 

"We need to learn how to handle these circumstances better. In the second half, we started strong and scored goals. Overall, I believe we deserved to win the game.

"We answered nicely in the second half. It is difficult to achieve this after five games without a win. So it was critical to win the game.

Chalobah also strengthened the Blues' defense after Wesley Fofana and Benoît Badiashile were injured. 

Levi Colwill, Romeo Lavia, and Enzo Fernández were all left out of Chelsea's squad for Saturday's game against Manchester City.