Abraham hits hat-trick in dominant Chelsea victory at Wolves

Tammy Abraham says he hopes this can be “his season” after scoring a brilliant hat-trick – and an own goal – as Frank Lampard’s young side destroyed Wolves at Molineux.

The England striker, 21, scored his treble in the space of 21 minutes to make it seven goals in his past three appearances – and is joint leading scorer in the Premier League with Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero.

Abraham joined Cristiano Ronaldo and Dele Alli in becoming only the third Premier League player aged 21 or younger to score two or more goals in three consecutive appearances.

“I hope this is my season,” said Abraham, who spent last season on loan in the Championship with Aston Villa.

“I have to keep working hard in every training session, every game. Every game I want to prove myself to the gaffer.”

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard said Abraham has an enthusiasm to succeed and score goals.

“I’m so delighted for him. I know how hard the academy works and Tammy has a fantastic approach to the game and how he wants to progress,” added Lampard.

“All three goals of his goals were so different, it just shows what he can do.”

Abraham scored twice in the space of seven first-half minutes after Fikayo Tomori – another 21-year-old – had opened the scoring with a stunning 25-yard finish.

Abraham doubled the lead with a shot on the turn after referee Graham Scott had played an advantage following Conor Coady’s foul on Mason Mount.

Wolves, who remain without a top-flight win this season, fell further behind when Abraham headed home, before the striker became the youngest ever Chelsea player to score a Premier League hat-trick following a superb finish after beating Coady.

In an eventful game, Abraham then scored an own goal as Romain Saiss’ header struck his right hand before crossing the line, before Patrick Cutrone added a second Wolves goal from close range.

Mount, 20, added Chelsea’s fifth goal with virtually the last kick of the game.

Abraham steals the show

Chelsea have 11 Premier League goals this season – and Abraham has scored seven of them during an outstanding start to the campaign.

Having scored two goals in each of his previous two league games, against Sheffield United and Norwich City, the forward showed off his repertoire of skills in front of goal at Molineux.

Hungry to impress, his first was a clever, instinctive finish, while his second was a scorching header from a cross by Marcos Alonso, who was making his first league start of the campaign.

Abraham’s third, from a Jorginho assist, was perhaps the best, as he calmly beat Coady before producing an angled finish.

His own goal was unfortunate – Saiss’ header was heading for the net when it struck the forward’s hand – while Abraham was also booked for a foul on Diogo Jota.

Later, when replaced by Michy Batshuayi after landing awkwardly, Abraham was booed by Wolves fans. He responded by showing the crowd three fingers – one for each of his goals at the right end.

Youthful Chelsea growing up fast

This is the start of a huge week for Chelsea, who launch their Champions League campaign at home to Valencia on Tuesday, before entertaining Liverpool next weekend.

Yet they head into it with a spring in their step after an emphatic victory which left boss Frank Lampard delighted.

Under his predecessor Maurizio Sarri, the Blues suffered defeat at Molineux last season, while Wolves took a point from the reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge.

This side might be young and a little naive – yet it is also bursting with youthful promise and energy.

“I’m delighted for them all but particularly for Fikayo Tomori,” added Lampard. “He has worked so hard from where he started to now – it’s superb.

“We’re trying to give chances to the youngsters and they are scoring and showing us why we should keep putting them in the team.”

Tomori’s goal was breathtaking, while Mount produced a finish a Premier League veteran – let alone someone making only their fifth top-flight appearance – would have been proud of.

The only negative for Lampard was his side’s defending. They are still searching for a first clean sheet of the season while they have conceded more goals than any other team in the Premier League.

In addition, Germany defender Antonio Rudiger went off injured on his first appearance of the season.

Having already tied Mount and 23-year-old Ruben Loftus-Cheek to new deals, there are reports that Callum Hudson-Odoi, 18, has agreed a new five-year contract worth over £100,000 a week.

Hudson-Odoi, who handed in a transfer request in January, has been injured but is close to returning – another reason for Chelsea to be optimistic about the season ahead.

What’s happened to Wolves?

Wolves won a legion of new admirers on their way to finishing seventh last season.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side took an impressive 16 points from the Premier League’s top six yet, five games into this campaign, they remain without a win and are 19th in the table.

It is far too early in the season to talk about a crisis, but alarm bells must surely be ringing after conceding eight times in two games.

A good performance and result was required after being beaten 3-2 at Everton before the international break.

Instead, they will launch their Europa League group campaign on Thursday on the back of a dispiriting defeat.

“That was a bad, bad performance,” said Nuno.

“We lost concentration and I am dissatisfied. There is no point being angry in them but I need them to get better.”

Wolves’ Premier League campaign is 450 minutes old – yet they are the only team who have not been in front for a single minute in a game this season in the top flight.

Wolves have made 10 changes to their starting line-up across their opening five Premier League games. Last season, it took them 16 matches to make as many changes in the competition. Indeed, only Chelsea (11) have made more in the Premier League this season than Wolves.

The next two weeks are vital.

After visiting Crystal Palace, who also suffered a hammering on Saturday against Spurs, Wolves entertain Watford – the only team below them in the table.

Man of the match – Tammy Abraham (Chelsea)