Chelsea hung on for a dramatic 4-3 win in an action-packed Carabao Cup tie against Wolves at Molineux.

Enzo Maresca would have been thrilled with a clinical first-half display in which Chelsea went three up to spark chants of 'sacked in the morning' by the home support aimed at Wolves boss Vitor Pereira. Booed off at the break, there was no hint of a comeback.

But after those goals by Andrey Santos, Tyrique George and Estevao - with a delightful dink - a physical Wolves were transformed in the second half, Tolu Arokodare finishing neatly to pull one back before David Moller Wolfe scored to have Chelsea wobbling.

Liam Delap was sent off soon after coming on and even when Jamie Gittens lashed a stunning shot into the top corner, Moller Wolfe went up the other end to keep the tie alive. Wolves could not find the equaliser but were applauded off by their supporters.

It is Chelsea, however, into the last eight.

Player ratings:

Wolves: Sa (5), Tchatchoua (6), Doherty (6), Mosquera (6), Agbadou (6), Toti (6), Moller Wolfe (7), J. Gomes (7), Lopez (5), Hwang (7), Arokodare (7).

Subs: Krejci (7), Munetsi (6), Strand Larsen (6), Bellegarde (n/a).

Chelsea: Jorgensen (6), Gusto (6), Acheampong (6), Tosin (6), Hato (6), Lavia (6), Santos (7), Estevao (7), Buonanotte (7), Gittens (7), George (7).

Subs: Cucurella (6), Delap (0), Fernandez (6), Neto (6), Caicedo (n/a).

Player of the Match: Jamie Gittens.

Maresca criticises 'stupid' Delap

Maresca delivered a scathing assessment of Delap's red card after the striker became embroiled in a physical battle with the Wolves central defenders twice in a matter of minutes.

The substitute was booked for shoving Yerson Mosquera in the face before leading with the elbow when challenging Emmanuel Agbadou, resulting in a swift red card.

"Very stupid red card that was completely unnecessary," said Maresca.

"Absolutely deserved. It was a stupid foul. We can avoid that. I completely support the red card."

Asked if Chelsea's disciplinary record was embarrassing, Maresca added: "It is embarrassing when it is a red card like today. It is embarrassing two cards in seven minutes, both we can avoid."

In particular, the Chelsea boss was frustrated because he had warned the player.

"After the yellow card, I told him four or five times, keep calm. But Liam is a player inside the pitch, playing the game for himself and he struggles to listen to things around him."

Teams

Wolverhampton Wanderers Sa; Tchatchoua, Doherty (R. Gomes 19, Krejci 46)), Mosquera, Toti (c), Wolfe; Agbadou, J. Gomes, Fer Lopez (Munetsi 46), Hwang (Strand Larsen 68), Arokodare (Bellegarde 81)
Subs Not Used Bentley, Bueno, Chirewa, Mane
Booked R. Gomes, Hwang, Krejci
Goals Arokodarw 48, Moller Wolfe 73, 90+1

Chelsea Jorgensen; Gusto (Cucurello 60), Acheampong, Tosin (c), Hato; Lavia (Fernandez 60), Santos; Estevao (Delap 60), Buonanotte (Caicedo 85), Gittens, George (Neto 76)
Subs Not Used Sanchez, James, Fofana, Joao Pedro
Booked Estevao, George, Delap, Cucurella, Caicedo
Sent Off Delap 86
Goals Santos 5, George 15, Estevao 41, Gittens 89

Attendance 24,449

Referee Thomas Bramall