Malo Gusto finally scored his first senior goal after 165 career appearances as Chelsea defeated managerless Wolves 3-0 to move up to second in the Premier League. The defender headed home in the 51st minute of his 98th match since joining the club in 2023. Joao Pedro doubled the lead, and Pedro Neto finished the scoring in a commanding display.
Chelsea struggled to break down Wolves in the first half, and some supporters at Stamford Bridge even voiced their frustration at half-time. Despite dominating possession, the home side failed to create many clear chances. Wolves, temporarily led by academy coaches James Collins and Richard Walker, who are filling in until Rob Edwards arrives from Middlesbrough, failed to record a single shot before the interval.
Chelsea pressed hard, with Alejandro Garnacho and Enzo Fernandez both testing the Wolves goalkeeper. Joao Pedro came closest when he dragged a shot narrowly wide before the break.
Gusto’s breakthrough sparks Chelsea’s dominance
After a frustrating opening half, Chelsea finally broke through. Gusto met Garnacho’s cross at the far post and nodded in his long-awaited first goal. Substitute Estevao Willian made an immediate impact, assisting his fellow Brazilian Joao Pedro just 68 seconds after coming on. Garnacho then launched a counter-attack and crossed for Neto, who calmly made it 3-0.
It was a standout performance from Garnacho, signed for £40 million from Manchester United in the summer. After scoring midweek to secure a draw at Qarabag, he produced two assists for the first time in 99 Premier League games.
Wolves, already trailing 2-0, barely threatened. Jean-Ricner Bellegarde’s long-range attempt and a strike from substitute Marshall Munetsi, following a poor backpass by Marc Cucurella, were their only notable efforts. Chelsea now sit second with 20 points from 11 games, while Wolves remain rooted to the bottom with just two points.
Chelsea’s relief as Gusto ends his drought
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca looked stunned when Gusto scored with a header. His teammates burst into laughter during the celebrations. Gusto’s lack of goals had become a running joke at the club, even acknowledged by the French defender in interviews. His breakthrough came from clever movement and determination at the far post, finishing Garnacho’s perfect cross.
“Finally! We like to attack with full-backs. Sometimes it’s Marc Cucurella,” Maresca told Sky Sports after the match. “Last season Cucurella scored six or seven goals – hopefully Malo can score more this season. He’s one of our main players because he makes us versatile.”
A run of 165 matches without a goal is extraordinary. According to football statistics site Transfermarkt, Gusto ranks among Europe’s top seven players for the longest goal droughts since debuting professionally. Chelsea still lack a consistent striker like Erling Haaland, so Maresca insists goals must come from across the squad. He continues to remind his players that collective scoring is vital to securing Champions League qualification.
“Our mood is good,” Maresca added. “People expect Chelsea to win every game, but that’s not reality. Dropping points happens, even against teams in good form.”
Wolves face daunting challenge under Edwards
For incoming manager Rob Edwards, the Wolves job represents both a homecoming and a massive challenge. The 42-year-old made over 100 appearances for the club between 2004 and 2008, and his family still live in the Midlands. However, he arrives at a difficult moment. Wolves sit bottom of the table and haven’t won since April.
The squad lacks quality and confidence, and their competitiveness faded after Chelsea’s opener. It took Wolves 61 minutes to register a shot on goal. They ended the match with only three attempts, none on target, and just 35.5% possession. Despite that, they showed resilience for much of the game until conceding in the 51st minute. That fighting spirit could give Edwards a starting point, but the task ahead is immense. No team in Premier League history has survived after earning only two points from 11 games.
Wolves’ determination might help, but they clearly lack the technical depth needed to turn their season around.
What comes next for both sides
Chelsea visit Burnley after the international break on Saturday, 22 November, with kick-off at 12:30 GMT. They then travel to Spain for a Champions League clash with Barcelona the following Tuesday. Wolves host Crystal Palace at Molineux on the same Saturday at 15:00, hoping to spark a revival under their new manager.
