Chelsea booked their place in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals with a thrilling 4-3 victory over Wolves at Molineux, but manager Enzo Maresca left the pitch visibly fuming rather than celebrating. Despite his side’s dominant first-half display, a moment of recklessness from Liam Delap reignited old disciplinary concerns and turned what could have been a comfortable win into a chaotic finish.
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The Blues stormed to a 3-0 lead before halftime, looking every bit the composed, youthful side Maresca has been crafting since his arrival. But Wolves’ spirited fightback in the second half nearly turned the tie on its head, exposing cracks in Chelsea’s game management and discipline that their Italian boss was quick to condemn.
A Dream Start Turns into a Nightmare
The first half was vintage modern Chelsea — youthful, energetic, and ruthless. Andrey Santos opened the scoring with a confident finish, setting the tone for an electric opening 45 minutes. Soon after, Tyrique George doubled the advantage, capitalizing on Wolves’ defensive frailties. Then, rising Brazilian star Estevao made it 3-0, showcasing the flair and precision that has made him one of Europe’s most talked-about young talents.
Maresca’s men were in total control. They pressed high, attacked with pace, and kept Wolves pinned deep in their own half. The Blues’ first-half dominance was reflected in the stats — eight shots worth 2.1 expected goals (xG) and all three shots on target converted into goals.
But as the saying goes, football is a game of two halves — and Wolves made sure the second half told a different story.
Wolves’ Spirited Comeback
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For Wolves, who have struggled in the Premier League this season, this was a chance to rediscover belief. Manager Vítor Pereira took a bold approach, rotating all 11 starters from their last league game, and the decision initially seemed to backfire.
Yet, after halftime, Wolves came alive. Tolu Arokodare pounced on a defensive lapse to pull one back, before David Møller Wolfe further narrowed the gap with a composed finish. Suddenly, the atmosphere at Molineux shifted — from frustration to hope.
Chelsea’s confidence began to wobble, and their once-dominant control turned into disorganization. The hosts pressed with urgency and belief, and for a few tense minutes, it looked like an upset could be brewing.
Then came the turning point — and it wasn’t in Chelsea’s favor.
Delap’s Red Card: The Breaking Point
Returning to the lineup after a spell on the sidelines, Liam Delap’s cameo lasted just 25 minutes before disaster struck. Two yellow cards in less than 10 minutes saw him sent off, leaving Chelsea down to ten men just as Wolves were mounting their charge.
For Maresca, it was the final straw. The Blues have now recorded six red cards this season, the most in the Premier League — a statistic that has become an embarrassing blemish on their campaign.
“It’s embarrassing when it’s a red card like that,” Maresca fumed post-match. “Two yellow cards in seven minutes — completely unnecessary. I can understand tough tackles against teams like Brighton or Manchester United, but this one? It’s avoidable. And we must avoid that.”
His frustration was evident, not just at Delap, but at a recurring issue within his young squad: emotional control.
History Made Amid Chaos
Despite the drama, Chelsea still managed to make history. They became the first Premier League side to have four different scorers aged 21 or younger in a single match across all competitions — a testament to the depth and talent of Maresca’s developing team.
Late on, Jamie Gittens restored the cushion with Chelsea’s fourth, effectively sealing the win despite Wolfe’s second goal deep into stoppage time. The 4-3 result means Chelsea advance to face Cardiff City in the quarter-finals, but questions remain about their discipline and consistency.
Wolves’ Hope Amid Defeat
Pereira, meanwhile, found positives despite another frustrating result.
“This group has spirit and character,” he said. “We changed 11 players and still came back from 3-0 down. We just need one win to believe again.”
Indeed, Wolves’ fans, who booed their team off at halftime, applauded them at full-time — a sign that fight and belief still run deep at Molineux, even in defeat.
Looking Ahead
For Chelsea, progression in the Carabao Cup offers momentum — but also a warning. Their youthful side continues to shine offensively, but if they are to compete seriously for silverware, discipline must match talent. Maresca knows it, and his fury at Delap’s red card might just be the wake-up call his team needs.
As for Wolves, there are no points for bravery in knockout football, but their comeback spirit might just be the spark that reignites their Premier League campaign.
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