NONI MADUEKE stepped up to his role as pantomime villain and silenced the Wolves crowd in spectacular fashion.
Chelsea ran riot at Molineux, winning a thrilling game 6-2 as Madueke scored a hat-trick.
The winger hit the headlines before the match for accidentally posting on his Instagram story with Wolverhampton as the tagged location: “Everything about this place is s***.”
Madueke deleted it soon after and responded: “Damn wrong Instagram account. You lot are too fast.”
But by that point it was already guaranteed that he would be jeered by the home fans.
Yet Madueke responded brilliantly under pressure and produced a devastating performance on the right-wing.
He made only 15 passes and took just six shots – but he was clinical when he received the ball.
The 22-year-old hugged the touchline and exposed Wolves‘ attacking left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri whenever he went forward or drifted inside.
Madueke’s three goals were all incredibly similar, making wide runs to allow for team-mates like Cole Palmer to find him with simple through balls.
His shots were low and hard beyond Jose Sa, who fast became sick of picking the ball out of his net.
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The boos inspired Madueke to his best performance in a Chelsea shirt and he may now love the town of Wolverhampton.
In fact, it should even feel like home as he has now scored more goals at Molineux (three) than he has netted at Stamford Bridge (two) in 18 matches.
After demolishing Wolves, Madueke addressed his post-match comments, saying: “I just want to apologise to everyone that I might have offended. It is just a human mistake, an accident.
“It wasn’t meant to be out on my socials like that. I’m sure Wolverhampton is a nice town and I’m sorry.
“It was a mistake and you learn from those things. Hopefully nothing like that happens again.
“In terms of the boos, I expected it but it is part of the game. You have to be able to play under that sort of pressure.”
Madueke was also praised by his boss Enzo Maresca, who said: “I didn’t know about Noni’s social post before the game.
“I can judge Noni’s performance, which was fantastic. Since day one I said he’s the kind of winger I really like.
“The best thing was not the hat-trick but the way he defended their counter attack and that showed the right mentality of what I’m demanding from the players.”
NONI MADUEKE bagged himself a second-half hat-trick courtesy of Cole Palmer as Chelsea fired to a 6-2 victory away at Wolves.
Palmer’s three assists and first half strike capped off a wonderful afternoon for the England ace and a game that at times resembled a basketball match.
Here’s how SunSports’ Katherine Walsh rated the Blues stars…
Robert Sanchez – 7/10
Solid display. Held firm and kept Wolves at bay in the first half.
Brilliant long ball distribution cross-pitch to Jackson who assisted Palmer’s goal and Chelsea’s second.
Malo Gusto – 5
Out of position for Matheus Cunha’s 26th minute equaliser and didn’t get forward enough.
Failed to have an influence on the game after a quieter second 45 minutes from Wolves.
Wesley Fofana – 6
Had his back to goal for Wolves’ second equaliser before half-time.
The ball had been guided in by a free-kick and Jorgen Strand-Larsen cleverly guided it home with his right foot.
Levi Colwill – 6
Not a particularly noticeable performance from the 21-year-old in a positive or negative sense.
Suppose it was a solid showing but was also caught ball watching for Cunha’s goal.
Pulled Cucurella away from the third brawl of the match.
Marc Cucurella – 6
Worked hard and found himself centre of multiple fights with Wolves players throughout the 90.
Solid as ever, needing to be alert with Wolves lethal in the first half.
Moises Caicedo – 6
Quiet afternoon for the midfielder. Didn’t do much right or wrong.
Enzo Fernandez – 7
Often in the right place at the right time after clearing two Wolves’ attempts from inside the box.
Battled to win the ball for Madueke’s third goal and frequently recovered possession for the visitors.
Cole Palmer – 9
A brilliant goal and THREE assists finished off a sensational performance from the No10 position.
Somehow managed to outshine hat-trick scorer Madueke after providing all of his goals. His own notch came against the run of play just after receiving a yellow.
Picked up the ball 20 yards from goal after a long Sanchez kick and lobbed Wolves keeper Jose Sa just when the visitors were hanging on.
Mykhailo Mudryk – 4
Enzo Marseca said he needed time and coaching to get his Chelsea career on track. But failed to make an impact against Wolves.
Didn’t notice him being shipped off at half-time for former Wolves star Pedro Neto.
Noni Madueke – 9
The star man scored THREE in the second half after bagging against Servette on Thursday.
Chelsea’s best player in the first half. The young winger has bundles of ability and energy.
Looked lively and won several free-kicks in promising positions.
Worth a note that he silenced the home fans who were heavily booing him throughout after his social media comments earlier today.
Nicolas Jackson – 8
Opened the scoring with a post header inside two minutes.
But let himself down with silly antics while arguing with Cunha twice.
Most non-penalty goals for Chelsea in the Premier League since the start of last season: 15.
And assisted Palmer’s brilliant goal and Chelsea’s second.
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Pedro Neto 7
Put a shift in after coming on at half-time on his first return to the Molineux.
Bagged himself an assist in the 80th minute.
Joao Felix – 7
Scored on his Chelsea 2023/24 debut after joining from Atletico Madrid for £42.6m.
Combined with other new signing Neto for the goal.
Christopher Nkunku – N/A
Renato Veiga – N/A
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – N/A
