WOLVERHAMPTON, United Kingdom (AFP) — In a dramatic turn of events at Molineux Stadium on August 25, 2024, Chelsea winger Noni Madueke transformed controversy into acclaim by scoring a hat-trick in a resounding 6-2 victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers. The match marked Chelsea’s first Premier League win under new manager Enzo Maresca, with Madueke playing an instrumental role.
Madueke found himself at the center of social media uproar before the match, having posted a disparaging comment about Wolverhampton, describing the city as “this place is s**t.” His critique, posted and then hastily deleted, criticized a city known for its rich industrial history, including coal mining and steel production. Despite the backlash and boos from Wolves fans, the 22-year-old winger issued a public apology.
“I just want to apologize to everyone that I might have offended. It is just a human mistake, an accident. It wasn’t meant to be out on my socials like that. I’m sure Wolverhampton is a nice town and I’m sorry,” Madueke stated post-match.
Despite the hostile reception, Madueke responded in the best possible manner—on the pitch. His hat-trick was the highlight of the match, aided by three pinpoint assists from teammate Cole Palmer, famously nicknamed ‘cold’ for his composed finishing, especially from the penalty spot.
“It is unbelievable. He is cold and I am fire, so it mixes well. He has the ability to always play a pass at the right time,” Madueke commented on his synergy with Palmer. “I like to get the ball in space, beat people and make things happen, so luckily today it worked.”
Madueke’s hat-trick not only silenced his critics but also showcased a burgeoning partnership with Palmer, making them a formidable duo on the field. He added, “The first one was a bit lucky. Second one was all Cole, two brilliant passes. I’m made up for the hat-trick but more made up we won the game.”
Chelsea’s victory was a crucial first win for new boss Enzo Maresca, following a loss to Manchester City in their league opener the previous weekend. The match also came on the heels of Chelsea’s UEFA Conference League play-off win against Swiss side Servette, where Madueke also found the net.
Reflecting on Maresca’s managerial impact, Madueke said, “Everyone saw what he did at Leicester last year, he is mad about the details. Even in the first game against City, there were some nice patterns of play but we just couldn’t finish it off. It is a great day today, I am happy he has got his first Premier League win for Chelsea.”
Despite the resounding win, Maresca maintained his focus on continuous improvement, pointing out a minor lapse in Madueke’s otherwise stellar performance. “In the first 10 minutes he had two chances and overall he was very good. The only thing I didn’t like from Noni is the free-kick he gave away before half-time and we can avoid that, especially against a team who are good from set-pieces,” Maresca noted.
Maresca reiterated the need for relentless progress, “In the first 10 minutes we created two or three chances and scored a goal and then we started to lose the ball, but overall a good performance. Absolutely there are always things we can improve on. We can learn many things.”
As Chelsea sails forward with renewed confidence, Madueke’s blend of flair and Palmer’s icy calm promise an exciting season ahead for the Blues.
