Cole Palmer produced a devastating first-half hat-trick as Chelsea beat bottom-of-the-table Wolves 3-1 at a rain-soaked Molineux, tightening their grip on a place in the Premier League's top-four race. The forward struck twice from the penalty spot before adding a confident third before the interval, leaving the hosts with too much ground to make up despite an improved display after the break.
Wolves responded with far more conviction in the second half, with Mateus Mane rattling the woodwork and Tolu Arokodare eventually pulling a goal back from close range following a corner. Chelsea wobbled briefly under that pressure but managed the closing stages more solidly as the contest fizzled out, sealing a fourth successive victory under Liam Rosenior and keeping Rob Edwards' side rooted to the bottom.
Palmer Punishes Wolves' First-Half Lapses
The damage for Wolves was done long before their second-half rally, as Chelsea ruthlessly punished a succession of defensive errors. The visitors had already sensed fragility in the home back line when Joao Pedro drew the first of two penalties, Matt Doherty clipping the Brazilian from behind in a challenge that was as needless as it was clumsy. Palmer stepped up and stroked the ball coolly into the bottom corner, setting the tone for the afternoon.