Goals in each half from Mason Burstow and Dion Rankine condemned Wolves under-21s to defeat on the road at Chelsea on Friday evening.
The result sent the Blues top of the Premier League 2 table, on a night where the Londoners showed a clinical edge in front of goal, with Wolves battling well and creating a number of chances of their own.
The home side were quick out of the blocks and played at a high intensity, which Wolves did well to weather in the early stages. In doing so, James Collins’ men were able to combine down the left as both Owen Farmer and Aaron Keto-Diyawa utilised the space in behind, but were unable to create openings in the centre from their crosses.
Chelsea’s first sight on goal came when Dylan Williams crossed for Burstow in the middle, but the striker could only head wide of the mark.
And that proved a warning for the old gold, as the Blues took the lead shortly after the 20-minute mark. A break down the left-hand side saw Omari Hutchinson make tracks and pick out Burstow who took one touch to get away from his marker, before neatly dinking over the top of Jackson Smith and into the far corner.
The visitors looked to respond and were able to make good use of Harry Birtwistle and Tyler Roberts down the right. The latter did well to drive at the opposition, before Dylan Scicluna and Nathan Fraser combined to tee-up Harvey Griffiths who struck his effort well, but could only clear the crossbar.
Griffiths then picked out Birtwistle with a ball over the top which the right-back did well to reach and hook back across goal where Fraser was waiting, as the striker met the ball right on his forehead and watched it flash over the top.
Well-crafted between Griffiths and Birtwistle, but Fraser can't quite divert his header on target.#PL2 pic.twitter.com/EL7sxa9EIk
— Wolves Academy (@WolvesAcademy) January 13, 2023
As the half-time whistle approached, Wolves were able to conjure up one more opening when Owen Hesketh drove well from inside his own half, before leaving Roberts to do the rest. The winger had Farmer for company on the left as he skipped inside his man, before opting to go for goal with a toe-poke which didn’t trouble Gabriel Slonina.
Half-time | Chelsea 1-0 Wolves
Wolves had Smith to thank less than 10 seconds into the second 45, as the goalkeeper pulled off a smart save to deny the hosts. Burstow was set on his way by Cesare Casadei, but Smith made himself big and saved with an out-stretched boot.
At the other end, Roberts was unfortunate not to divert a header on target as he met Hesketh’s free-kick, but could only glance wide.
And that proved costly, as Chelsea swiftly went on the counter-attack. Goal scorer Burstow was once again involved, but this time he was the provider as he helped the ball onto Rankine who had made tracks down the right and had the composure to slot underneath Smith.
Wolves required a response of some sort if they were to find a way back into the contest. Skipper Oliver Tipton came close when Hesketh’s free-kick was cleared only as far as the defender, but he fizzed it just wide of the right-hand post.
Hutchinson proved a menace on the Chelsea right and fancied a goal of his own but after cutting inside and shooting on two separate occasions, the winger found Smith right behind them both.
Wolves kept battling in search of a way back into the game and were unfortunate when Hesketh was denied by a man on the line, before the midfielder danced his way down the left and couldn’t quite find the corner when he tried his luck from an acute angle.
Hesketh can't quite squeeze it in 😩#PL2 pic.twitter.com/6nNLp4mlwE
— Wolves Academy (@WolvesAcademy) January 13, 2023
Hutchinson looked to cap off the night with a third for Chelsea, but Wolves breathed a sigh of relief when his free-kick clipped the top of the crossbar as the game drew to a close.
Full-time | Chelsea 2-0 Wolves
COMING UP
Wolves under-21s host Celtic in the Premier League International Cup on Tuesday evening at Aggborough.
NEXT FIVE
- 17/01 Celtic (H) PLIC
- 20/01 Cardiff (H) PLC
- 23/01 Tottenham (A)
- 27/02 Liverpool (H)
- 13/02 Arsenal (H)
TEAMS
Chelsea | Slonina, Brooking, Gilchrist, Sturge, Williams, Webster, Rankine, Elliott (Abu 57), Burstow (Mothersille 77), Casadei, Hutchinson.
Subs not used | Merrick, Hughes.
Wolves | Smith, Birtwistle (Scott 86), Keto-Diyawa (Hubner 55), Griffiths, Tipton, Mabete (Kandola 71), Roberts, Scicluna (Ojinnaka 85), Fraser, Hesketh, Farmer (Hodnett 71).
