Noni Madueke hit a hat-trick as Chelsea crushed Wolves 6-2 to give Enzo Maresca his first Premier League win as Blues boss, while Newcastle rescued a controversial 1-1 draw at Bournemouth on Sunday. Maresca suffered a 2-0 loss against Manchester City last weekend in his first game since arriving from Leicester to replace Mauricio Pochettino in the close-season. Chelsea got off the mark under Maresca with a UEFA Conference League play-off victory against Servette on Thursday, but that low-key success was only the prelude to their goal spree at Molineux.
Maresca’s side made the perfect start after just 98 seconds when Matheus Cunha could only flick his attempted clearance from a corner towards Nicolas Jackson, who was left unmarked to head in from six yards.
Jackson’s goal infuriated Wolves fans already angry with Chelsea after Madueke posted and then deleted a critical review of Wolverhampton just hours before kick-off.
Madueke shared his location, which was Wolverhampton, in the post, which read “this place is s**t”.
He later shared: “Damn wrong Instagram account. You lot are too fast.”
Cunha hauled the hosts level in the 27th minute as the Brazilian forward tormented the Blues again after last season’s hat-trick at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo carelessly lost possession and Rayan Ait-Nouri drove forward before teeing up Cunha, whose fierce strike flashed past Robert Sanchez and sparked a samba-dancing goal celebration.
Cole Palmer restored Chelsea’s advantage in the 45th minute, the England forward taking Jackson’s flick and lobbing a sublime finish over Wolves keeper Jose Sa.
Chelsea run riot
The Blues made a hash of clearing Ait-Nouri’s free-kick seconds before the half-time whistle and Toti headed it across to Jorgen Strand Larsen, who poked home from close-range.
But the rollercoaster clash switched back in Chelsea’s favour in the 49th minute as Palmer found Madueke and his shot deflected in off Ait-Nouri.
Madueke struck again nine minutes later, slotting a composed finish through Sa’s legs after Palmer’s run unhinged the creaky Wolves defence.
The 22-year-old completed his treble with a carbon copy of his two previous goals, once again finishing off another Palmer assist to silence the Wolves boo-boys.
Joao Felix came off the bench to cap the rout in the 80th minute as the Portugal forward marked his debut for Chelsea following his permanent move from Atletico Madrid earlier in the week.
Felix, who spent the second half of the 2022-23 season on loan at Chelsea, blasted into the top corner after former Wolves forward Pedro Neto picked him out.
At the Vitality Stadium, Newcastle trailed when Joelinton carelessly lost possession and Antoine Semenyo’s low cross was touched in by Marcus Tavernier in the 37th minute.
Eddie Howe’s team equalised in the 76th minute as Harvey Barnes floated in a cross that Anthony Gordon slotted home from close-range.
Bournemouth were furious to be denied a stoppage-time winner when VAR ruled Dango Ouatarra had handled before heading in.
Arne Slot will take charge of his first Premier League home game as Liverpool boss against Brentford later on Sunday.
Slot was hired from Feyenoord to replace Jurgen Klopp after the German stepped down at the end of last term following nine successful years at Anfield.
The 45-year-old started his reign with a 2-0 win at Ipswich in Liverpool’s opening league match last weekend.
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Manchester City’s perfect start to the Premier League season came undone in a shock 2-1 loss to Wolves, as Manchester United slumped to a 1-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace on Saturday. Arsenal closed to within a point of the lead by cruising to a 4-0 win at Bournemouth, while Aston Villa thrashed Brighton 6-1 to move into the top four. City had won the opening six games of their title defence as they aim to become the first side to ever claim four consecutive English top-flight titles. By contrast, Wolves had taken just four points from their first six games but stunned the champions at Molineux.
Ruben Dias‘ own goal put the home side in front, but City responded after the break through Julian Alvarez‘s free-kick.
Wolves, though, were a constant threat on the counter-attack and got their reward when Hwang Hee-chan swept home at the second attempt 25 minutes from time.
“We have to do more but even when we win we have to do more,” said City boss Pep Guardiola, who watched the game from the stands due to suspension.
“When we win and lose we do it together. Today we were not at our best.”
City’s defeat means Liverpool can go top should they end Tottenham’s unbeaten Premier League start under Ange Postecoglou in the 1615GMT kick off.
United have now lost four of their opening seven league games of the season to pile more pressure on Erik ten Hag.
Joachim Andersen’s stunning first-half volley separated the sides at Old Trafford.
United had won a League Cup meeting between the sides 3-0 in midweek.
But with Palace restored to full strength, the Red Devils suffered from a familiar lack of cutting edge up front as they laboured to get back into the game.
“The final part of the game we didn’t play our best game,” said Ten Hag.
“You have to be sharp and clinical. It’s about decision making.”
Defeat sees United slip to 10th in the table.
Arsenal moved up to second as Mikel Arteta‘s men eased to victory at Bournemouth.
Bukayo Saka had been an injury doubt, but headed into an empty net to open the scoring on his 87th consecutive Premier League appearance.
Saka could have had more had he not then handed over penalty duties.
Martin Odegaard has shared responsibility from the spot with Saka this season and the Norwegian slotted home Arsenal’s second before the break.
Both Saka and Odegaard then stood aside to give Kai Havertz the confidence boost of his first goal for the club when the Gunners were awarded a second spot-kick on 53 minutes.
Ben White rounded off the scoring in stoppage time.
Newcastle’s recovery from a slow start to the season continues as the Magpies overcame Burnley 2-0.
Miguel Almiron fired into the top corner to open the scoring and Alexander Isak’s penalty secured the points 14 minutes from time.
Ollie Watkins bagged a hat-trick in Villa’s stunning demolition of Brighton.
Two goals from the England striker and a Pervis Estupinan own goal put Villa 3-0 up inside 26 minutes.
Ansu Fati reduced the deficit with his first Brighton goal.
But the day belonged to Watkins and he became the first Villa player in 47 years to score two hat-tricks in one season.
Jacob Ramsey and Douglas Luiz piled on the pain for Brighton in the closing stages and did enough to edge Villa ahead of the Seagulls on goal difference.
“We are feeling strong here with the supporters, we are connected with them,” said Villa boss Unai Emery after a 10th consecutive home Premier League win.
Luton secured their first ever Premier League win with a 2-1 victory at Everton.
Tom Lockyer and Carlton Morris were on target for the Hatters, who climb out of the relegation zone.
Sheffield United remain bottom after the Blades were beaten 2-0 at West Ham with Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio getting the goals for David Moyes’ men.
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