Wolves have lost their second Premier League game of the season 6-2 to Chelsea at Molineux.
After a bright start from Wolves, there was a complete capitulation in the second-half and there will be many things Gary O’Neil will not be happy with.
Nicolas Jackson gave Chelsea the lead inside two minutes, heading in at the back post.
But Wolves responded well and played some slick stuff. Matheus Cunha equalised after a mazy dribble from Rayan Ait-Nouri.
Cole Palmer then took advantage of some poor Wolves positioning to lob a stranded Jose Sa.
Jorgen Strand Larsen got Wolves back on level terms just before half-time, converting a ball across from Toti Gomes after Ait-Nouri’s free-kick.
Then, the capitulation began. Early in the second-half, Chelsea went ahead again. This time, it was Noni Madueke who scored, with his effort deflecting in off Ait-Nouri.
Madueke grabbed his second and Chelsea’s fourth just before the hour mark.
In a real sickener for Wolves fans, Madueke then got his hat-trick moments later from the right side once again.
With around 15 to go, there was more pain for Wolves fans, as Pedro Neto set up Joao Felix for a sixth.
It was certainly a really bad day overall for Ait-Nouri, and fans are extremely concerned about one aspect of his game.
Wolves fans concerned about Rayan Ait-Nouri after seeing his display v Chelsea
Ait-Nouri had a pretty disappointing afternoon at Molineux against Chelsea.
And the main reason for this was because he struggled defensively.
His assist for Cunha was absolutely amazing, and it really summed him up as a player. He is a wonderful ball-carrier and superb dribbler. The ball to find the Brazilian was brilliant.
But Ait-Nouri was all over the shop positionally, and might also have been sent off for two bookable offences.
Wolves have conceded seven goals in their first two games.
It is quite simple; O’Neil must find a way to solidify Wolves at the back and the calls for revert back to a back three will be loud following today’s game.
Some Wolves fans pointed to the defence as a collective as being a major concern.
O’Neil has a lot of work to do with Ait-Nouri
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It is difficult to recall a worse defensive performance from a Wolves player in recent times than this one from Ait-Nouri against Chelsea.
The Algerian was torn to shreds by Madueke, and was caught out of position again and again.
He was likely instructed to move into midfield by O’Neil, but that tactic went horribly wrong today, with Toti Gomes trying unsuccessfully to cover the space he vacated.
The manager has a lot of work to do with Ait-Nouri playing as a left-back in a back four. He has undoubtedly looked far better as a wing-back since he came to the club.