Chelsea Silence Critics As Gusto Scores First Career Goal In 3-0 Win Over Wolves

Chelsea eased pressure on manager Enzo Maresca with a convincing 3-0 victory over Wolves at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, featuring the first professional goal of French defender Malo Gusto.

Maresca’s team selection had come under fire after former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney criticised his heavy rotation policy, suggesting senior players should “question” the manager’s decisions following a midweek 2-2 Champions League draw with Qarabag.

Unfazed by the criticism, Maresca once again made sweeping changes—eight in total—for the Premier League clash, marking the sixth straight match in which he had altered seven or more players. This time, the move paid off handsomely.

After a sluggish first half, Chelsea dominated the second period. Gusto broke the deadlock with his maiden career goal since joining from Lyon in 2023. Joao Pedro soon extended the lead, and Pedro Neto sealed the win to give the Blues their fourth victory in five league matches, lifting them into second place and within six points of leaders Arsenal.

Although Manchester City’s clash with Liverpool on Sunday could push Chelsea back to third, the result offers Maresca a timely response to his critics heading into the international break.

For Wolves, the defeat compounded a miserable run of form. Under interim coaches James Collins and Richard Walker, the bottom-placed side have now lost nine of their last 11 games and remain eight points adrift of safety.

Meanwhile, Middlesbrough have reportedly granted manager Rob Edwards permission to speak with Wolves over the vacant managerial role after agreeing on a compensation package.

Chelsea, who only returned from their midweek trip to Baku early Thursday morning, showed fatigue in the opening half but regained control after the break to secure a much-needed and morale-boosting win.