Chelsea emerged victorious in a dramatic EFL Cup encounter against Wolves, securing a thrilling 4-3 win marked by significant shifts in momentum and a flurry of late goals. The match saw Chelsea establish a commanding lead early on, only for Wolves to mount a spirited comeback that pushed the Blues to their limits, ultimately culminating in Chelsea advancing to the next round.

Chelsea wasted no time in setting the tone, grabbing the lead in the 5th minute. A crucial loose touch from Wolves' Tolu Arokodare allowed Jamie Gittens to win possession in a dangerous area, setting up Andrey Santos. Santos curled a first-time effort into the bottom corner from the edge of the box, marking his debut Chelsea goal. Just ten minutes later, Gittens was again instrumental, bursting down the left flank, beating Matt Doherty, and delivering a low cross that Tyrique George converted from close range, doubling Chelsea's lead to 2–0. Chelsea's third goal followed a similar pattern of high pressing and capitalizing on turnovers; in the 41st minute, Andrey Santos dispossessed Fernando López, the ball broke to Estêvão, who skillfully dinked a neat finish over José Sá, making it 3–0 before halftime. While the scoreline flattered Chelsea's overall first-half performance, it starkly highlighted the defensive frailties that have consistently plagued Wolves' season.

Wolves, however, returned a revitalized team after the break, immediately signaling their intent for a comeback. Just three minutes into the second half, Hwang Hee-chan provided a precise pass to Tolu Arokodare, who clinically clipped a low finish past the goalkeeper in the 48th minute, pulling one back for Wolves and igniting belief among his teammates and fans. The hosts maintained their probing attacks, and their persistence was rewarded in the 73rd minute when a long throw-in was flicked on through a sequence of players—Marshall Munetsi, Ladislav Krejčí, and Emmanuel Agbadou—before David Wolfe arrived at the back post to smash home his first goal for the club, narrowing the deficit to 3–2 and setting the stage for a tense finish.

The drama intensified in the closing minutes. Chelsea faced a setback in the 86th minute when Liam Delap, who had come on as a substitute for Estêvão, received a second yellow card and was sent off for a foul, reducing Chelsea to ten men. Despite being numerically disadvantaged, Chelsea managed to score the crucial next goal. In the 89th minute, Jamie Gittens restored Chelsea’s two-goal cushion with a thumping effort that cannoned in off the post after a chaotic Wolves clearance, making the score 4-2.

Yet, Wolves refused to capitulate. David Wolfe swept in a stoppage-time goal in the 90+1 minute after a scramble, making it 4-3 and ensuring a frantic finale. Chelsea had to withstand a late barrage of attacks as the seconds ticked away, ultimately holding on to their slender lead and progressing to the next round. For Wolves, the EFL Cup did not provide the respite they sought from their challenging Premier League form, characterized by their defensive vulnerabilities.