FANS were left stunned after Pedro Neto’s wild celebration against his former side Wolves – and he did not even score the goal.
The Portugal winger left the Molineux for £54m a fortnight ago but assisted fellow new signing Joao Felix for Chelsea’s final goal of their 6-2 victory.
The etiquette of how to celebrate when a footballer scores against their former team seems a trivial consideration – but it’s a dilemma many fans take issue with.
Having only joined Chelsea a week before their season started in defeat against Manchester City, Neto seemed to quickly forget about the five years he’d spent growing as a player at the Old Gold.
When the 24-year-old was introduced at half-time for Mykhailo Mudryk, he received a warm welcome on his first return.
But Wolves collapsed after the break and Neto enjoyed a solid cameo to set up former Atletico star Joao Felix down the left flank.
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The former Molineux winger looked ecstatic as he leaped in celebration with his new team-mates who wrapped their arms around him as they ran.
Neto then jumped and straddled his legs around Chelsea’s hat-trick hero Noni Madueke.
And fans are as split as ever on this, with one writing: “This guy has no shame whatsoever, didn’t even score and celebrated like this against his former club.”
A second said: “Wow. That celebration from Neto got me in tears💀.”
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A third replied: “That celebration was too intense😂.”
While most Blues supporters loved it, with another adding: “I can’t stop watching them celebrate. This is beautiful!😂”
Before another fan noted: “I have re-watched Felix’s goal and Neto’s celebration over and over again.”
Neto later posted on X: “Always special to comeback to a place that means a lot to me. Good win +3. We continue let’s go!”
Wolves fans felt disrespected in more ways than one on Sunday after Madueke’s X-rated social media comments before kick-off.
The Chelsea winger mistakenly shared an Instagram message showing his location as Wolverhampton and added: “Everything about this place is s***.”
And to make matters worse the former PSV star went on to bag a 14 minute second half hat-trick to put the final nail in Wolves’ coffin.
The 24-year-old star man, who received a hostile reaction from fans inside the Moleniux, did apologise for his faux-pas in his post match interview.
Meanwhile, it’s the first time Chelsea have won away at Wolves since September 2019 – where Frank Lampard guided them to a 5-2 victory.
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Interestingly enough Tammy Abraham bagged 21 minute hat-trick that day – but Kepa is the only player from that XI that remains at Chelsea, for now.
Bournemouth are interested in loaning Kepa until June 2025.
Chelsea ratings vs Wolves: Madueke and Palmer on fire as Blues run riot… but Mudryk has shocker
NONI MADUEKE bagged himself a second-half hat-trick courtesy of Cole Palmer as Chelsea fired to a 6-2 victory away at Wolves.
Palmer’s three assists and first half strike capped off a wonderful afternoon for the England ace and a game that at times resembled a basketball match.
Here’s how SunSports’ Katherine Walsh rated the Blues stars…
Robert Sanchez – 7/10
Solid display. Held firm and kept Wolves at bay in the first half.
Brilliant long ball distribution cross-pitch to Jackson who assisted Palmer’s goal and Chelsea’s second.
Malo Gusto – 5
Out of position for Matheus Cunha’s 26th minute equaliser and didn’t get forward enough.
Failed to have an influence on the game after a quieter second 45 minutes from Wolves.
Wesley Fofana – 6
Had his back to goal for Wolves’ second equaliser before half-time.
The ball had been guided in by a free-kick and Jorgen Strand-Larsen cleverly guided it home with his right foot.
Levi Colwill – 6
Not a particularly noticeable performance from the 21-year-old in a positive or negative sense.
Suppose it was a solid showing but was also caught ball watching for Cunha’s goal.
Pulled Cucurella away from the third brawl of the match.
Marc Cucurella – 6
Worked hard and found himself centre of multiple fights with Wolves players throughout the 90.
Solid as ever, needing to be alert with Wolves lethal in the first half.
Moises Caicedo – 6
Quiet afternoon for the midfielder. Didn’t do much right or wrong.
Enzo Fernandez – 7
Often in the right place at the right time after clearing two Wolves’ attempts from inside the box.
Battled to win the ball for Madueke’s third goal and frequently recovered possession for the visitors.
Cole Palmer – 9
A brilliant goal and THREE assists finished off a sensational performance from the No10 position.
Somehow managed to outshine hat-trick scorer Madueke after providing all of his goals. His own notch came against the run of play just after receiving a yellow.
Picked up the ball 20 yards from goal after a long Sanchez kick and lobbed Wolves keeper Jose Sa just when the visitors were hanging on.
Mykhailo Mudryk – 4
Enzo Marseca said he needed time and coaching to get his Chelsea career on track. But failed to make an impact against Wolves.
Didn’t notice him being shipped off at half-time for former Wolves star Pedro Neto.
Noni Madueke – 9
The star man scored THREE in the second half after bagging against Servette on Thursday.
Chelsea’s best player in the first half. The young winger has bundles of ability and energy.
Looked lively and won several free-kicks in promising positions.
Worth a note that he silenced the home fans who were heavily booing him throughout after his social media comments earlier today.
Nicolas Jackson – 8
Opened the scoring with a post header inside two minutes.
But let himself down with silly antics while arguing with Cunha twice.
Most non-penalty goals for Chelsea in the Premier League since the start of last season: 15.
And assisted Palmer’s brilliant goal and Chelsea’s second.
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Pedro Neto 7
Put a shift in after coming on at half-time on his first return to the Molineux.
Bagged himself an assist in the 80th minute.
Joao Felix – 7
Scored on his Chelsea 2023/24 debut after joining from Atletico Madrid for £42.6m.
Combined with other new signing Neto for the goal.
Christopher Nkunku – N/A
Renato Veiga – N/A
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – N/A
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
