Matheus Cunha hits hat-trick as rampant Wolves outwit weak Chelsea | first division

Before the investigation into Chelsea's latest implosion begins, it's worth noting that Wolves were outstanding. Gary O'Neil, such a brilliant young coach, outwitted a scowling Mauricio Pochettino. Matheus Cunha, who scored a ruthless hat-trick, and Pedro Neto destroyed Chelsea's weak defense. Mario Lemina and Joao Gomes dominated their expensive opponents in midfield. Craig Dawson was a tower of strength at the back. Rayan Ait-Nouri never stopped running on the left.

What a job O'Neil has done since taking over last summer. This win, Wolves' first at Stamford Bridge since 1979, had nothing to do with luck. The difference was that while one team had a plan, the other simply seemed like a group of confused and uncommitted individuals. Chelsea, back in the bottom half after conceding eight goals in two games, was nothing short of an embarrassment.

Serious questions must be asked about Pochettino after a performance so lacking in direction and discipline. caicedo, a midfielder acquired for 115 million poundsHe looked lost and had to be removed for his own good. Neto gutted the captain, Ben Chiwell. Built at a cost of a billion pounds, everything about Chelsea was weak and pathetic. It's no exaggeration to say that they appear bankrupt under the ownership of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital.

Stamford Bridge was an anxious and irritable place from start to finish. The wolves felt the nerves and immediately looked for mistakes. Intelligent pressing exposed Caicedo at the base of Chelsea's midfield and created space for Neto and Cunha in the first two minutes. Caicedo, who had been guilty of wasting time in possession, was relieved to see Djordje Petrovic frustrate the Wolves forwards.

Chelsea responded with sporadic bursts of invention. They threatened when Ben Chilwell released Christopher Nkunku, who was denied by José Sá's brave goalkeeping and Dawson's alert defending, but there was little flow to their play during the first half. Even the good parts were improvised. There was no such thing as a real identity. The wolves were much more cohesive.

That said, there was always a chance that individual quality would lift Chelsea. This was demonstrated when they surprised Wolves in the 19th minute. Gallagher quickened his pace and connected with Caicedo, whose pass evaded Toti Gomes and ensured Palmer did not have to break stride when he shot low at Sá from the right of the area.

The concession infuriated O'Neil, who walked to his bench and chastised his team for failing to read the danger. However, the wolves were unfazed. Two minutes later they pressed again, João Gomes took Caicedo's pocket and fed Cunha. Free on the left, Cunha ran towards Axel Disasi, cut inside and equalized with a shot that Thiago Silva deflected.

The goal undermined Chelsea's faith and discipline. Gallagher, Caicedo and Enzo Fernández were torn apart in midfield. Raheem Sterling was ineffective on the left wing. Mistakes happened. A mistake by Malo Gusto almost let Rayan Aït-Nouri in. Mario Lemina headed narrowly. Silva made an important block on Neto.

The Wolves continued to manage to free Neto by throwing passes behind Chiwell on the right. Chelsea were a disaster. No one pressured the player making the pass and no one tried to cover Chilwell. It was a miserable defense and the punishment came when Nélson Semedo released Neto, who raised his head before cutting the ball for Aït-Nouri to beat Petrovic thanks to a deflection from Disasi.

Loud boos greeted the half-time whistle. Chelsea had to improve but were still living on the edge at the start of the second half. While Sterling should have equalized, only to shoot wide after some outstanding work from Chilwell and Palmer, Wolves almost extended their lead when Neto ran in and forced Petrovic into a save. Pablo Sarabia bent a free kick inches wide.

Pochettino brought on Nicolas Jackson. Caicedo, the man who made the way, punched his seat three times when he reached the bench. It was the most aggression anyone dressed in blue had shown all afternoon.

Not that it mattered. Instead of lifting Chelsea, the change was followed by Neto bursting down the right, beating a hissing Silva embarrassingly and pulling the ball back for Cunha to unleash a joyful shot past Petrovic from close range. There is no point in asking if any Chelsea player even tried to stop the Brazilian from scoring.

The atmosphere became ugly. Sarabia missed the chance to make it 4-1 and Jackson missed a header at the other end. Enraged, Chelsea fans began chanting for Roman Abramovich. Unfortunately, the club's former owner had not been included in the team. Instead, Pochettino brought in Carney Chukwuemeka and Mykhailo Mudryk for Nkunku and Sterling, who left to loud boos.

It didn't make any difference. There was time for Gusto to lose Cunha and concede a penalty with a ridiculous tackle. Anger grew when Cunha sent Petrovic the wrong way from the spot. The situation briefly calmed down when Silva's header made it 4-2, but not even 10 minutes of added time were enough to save Chelsea.