Daijiworld Media Network - London

London, Nov 9: Chelsea eased pressure on head coach Enzo Maresca with a commanding 3-0 victory over Wolves at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, featuring the first career goal of Malo Gusto.

The win came after Maresca faced criticism from Wayne Rooney, who questioned his frequent squad rotations following a 2-2 Champions League draw against Qarabag. Responding with eight changes this time, Maresca’s strategy paid off as Chelsea delivered a strong second-half display that lifted them to second place in the Premier League.

French defender Malo Gusto, signed from Lyon in 2023, broke the deadlock early in the second half, before Joao Pedro and Pedro Neto added goals to secure Chelsea’s fourth win in five league games.

“It’s more noise from outside. Inside, we are convinced that we are going in the right direction,” Maresca said after the game. “The difference between the first and second half was simple — we scored the goals we missed earlier.”

Despite a sluggish start following their midweek travel from Baku, the Blues eventually found rhythm. Alejandro Garnacho played a key role, assisting Gusto’s opener and later setting up Neto’s goal in the 73rd minute.

For Wolves, the defeat deepened their struggles at the bottom of the table, leaving them eight points adrift of safety after nine losses in eleven matches. With interim coaches James Collins and Richard Walker at the helm following Vitor Pereira’s exit, the club is reportedly in talks with Middlesbrough boss Rob Edwards for the managerial post.

Chelsea will now head into the international break with renewed confidence, just six points behind leaders Arsenal, as Maresca looks to keep the momentum going despite ongoing scrutiny of his rotation policy.