On a chilly Saturday afternoon at Molineux Stadium, Chelsea delivered a professional and composed performance to claim a 3-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers, all goals courtesy of Cole Palmer. The Premier League clash, played on February 7, 2026, saw the Blues looking to bounce back from a midweek defeat and keep pace in the race for Champions League qualification, while Wolves desperately searched for a spark to ignite their faltering season.
From the opening whistle, the difference in form and confidence between the two sides was evident. Chelsea, sitting fifth in the table and only one point adrift of fourth-placed Manchester United, entered the match with five wins in their last six outings across all competitions. In stark contrast, Wolves languished at the foot of the Premier League, with just a single win and a paltry eight points to show for their campaign so far. The hosts had failed to win 27 of their last 28 league matches and had not found the net in their previous three Premier League games. With a porous defense that had conceded 45 goals in 24 matches, the odds were stacked against them from the outset.
The team news brought a mix of relief and frustration for both camps. Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior was able to welcome back Cole Palmer and Estevao to the matchday squad, both declared fit for 90 minutes after recent injury concerns. Palmer, in particular, had been under the microscope after a noticeable dip in productivity since his explosive start to the previous season. Despite scoring 15 league goals before New Year’s Day 2025, he had managed just five in the subsequent 29 matches. Still, Rosenior handed him a starting berth, hoping the young Englishman could rediscover his golden touch against the league’s leakiest defense. Estevao, recently returned from compassionate leave in Brazil, took his place among the substitutes alongside new signing Mamadou Sarr.
Wolves, meanwhile, could only look to their supporters for inspiration as they lined up without key players Gomes and Chirewa due to injury. Their starting eleven featured Sa in goal, with Doherty, Bueno, Mosquera, Mané, and Angel Gomes anchoring a defense that would soon be put to the test. Hwang Hee-Chan and Tolu Arokodare led the line, hoping to break the team’s scoring drought. Chelsea’s lineup saw Sánchez in goal, protected by a back four of Cucurella, Chalobah, Fofana, and Malo Gusto. In midfield, Caicedo and Enzo Fernández provided stability and drive, while Neto, Palmer, and João Pedro offered attacking support behind the lone striker.
The opening exchanges were cagey, with both sides probing for weaknesses. Chelsea, however, quickly asserted their dominance, winning a series of corners and forcing Wolves’ goalkeeper José Sá into several early saves. Malo Gusto’s right-footed shot from the edge of the box was tipped away by Sá, while Enzo Fernández and João Pedro both saw efforts blocked by a determined Wolves backline. Moisés Caicedo fired wide from distance, and Marc Cucurella’s attempt was also smothered.
Wolves struggled to gain a foothold, their attacks repeatedly breaking down in the final third. Hwang Hee-Chan, one of their few bright sparks this season, won a couple of free kicks in the defensive half but found little support from his teammates. The home side’s best chance of the half came from a Yerson Mosquera header, which was blocked following a Hugo Bueno cross.
The breakthrough arrived midway through the first half, when João Pedro was brought down in the penalty area by Matt Doherty. Referee Jarred Gillett wasted no time in awarding Chelsea a penalty, and up stepped Cole Palmer. With nerves of steel, Palmer slotted his left-footed shot into the bottom right corner, sending Sá the wrong way and putting the visitors 1-0 ahead. It was a much-needed goal for both Palmer and Chelsea, as the Blues looked to reassert their attacking credentials.
Wolverhampton’s woes deepened. Another clumsy challenge in the box, this time from Yerson Mosquera on João Pedro, led to a second penalty for Chelsea. Once again, Palmer took responsibility, this time dispatching his shot to the bottom left corner.
Cold Palmer was out to terrorize Wolves. Three minutes later, Palmer clinically slotted his third goal of the day. The young England international’s hat-trick brought his tally to eight league goals for the season and provided a timely boost to his confidence.
Chelsea attacker Cole Palmer has become the first player in Premier League history to score three hat-tricks in the first half of a match. The attacker's first two goals came from the penalty spot, before the 23-year-old converted off an assist from Marc Cucurella.
Palmer has now become the first player in Premier League history to score three hat-tricks in the first half of a match, also achieving that against Everton and Brighton & Hove Albion.
The attacker has now found the back of the net on eight occasions during the 2025-26 campaign, with seven of those efforts coming in the Premier League. Palmer has had a stop-start season due to injuries, but he will now be hoping to enjoy a strong second half of the campaign.
Despite the deficit, Wolves did not fold entirely. They pressed forward in search of a lifeline. Tolu Arokodare pulled a goal back for Wolves after the restart but it proved nothing more than a consolation as Chelsea held firm for three crucial points.
