Reece James showed his true colours during Chelsea's 3-1 win over Wolves. The 25-year-old defender led the Blues to victory at Stamford Bridge on Monday night, helping Enzo Maresca's side leapfrog Manchester City in the Premier League table.

Tosin Adarabioyo fired Chelsea ahead inside the opening half an hour, slamming the ball past José Sá from close range after latching onto a deflected shot from James. In the final moments of the first half, Matt Doherty pulled one back for Wolves to level proceedings.

Then, on the hour mark, Marc Cucurella put the West Londoners ahead before Noni Madueke etched his name onto the scoresheet a few minutes later. With a two-goal lead in the bag, Maresca brought off James, who made his first start in the Premier League since November.

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The Chelsea captain's substitution was announced on the tannoy, and the home faithful began singing 'he's one of our own'. As James headed for the touchline, he took off his armband and handed it over to Moises Caicedo.

Showing his true colours as a brilliant leader, the Cobham graduate gave his deputy an order. Embracing Caicedo, James appeared to shout: "Win me this f*cking game, win me this f*cking game!"

The Chelsea midfielder didn't let James down, securing three crucial points in the race for a Champions League qualification place. Speaking to reporters after the game, Maresca reflected on what was an important result for the Blues.

"Yeah, as you said, win the game after five games where we didn't win," said the Italian. "It's complicated but I think in the five games that we did not win the performance was there. I said already many times that the problem has been inside the box where we could be a bit more clinical.

"Tonight was important to win the game. The first half, 40 minutes, the team was brilliant. Score goal, create chances, then it happened again, the same thing that already happened in the last four or five games.

"When we concede we lost a little bit of confidence. Then, second half, again we control the game, we score twice, we could score more. We are happy for the three points."

On leapfrogging Manchester City before facing the Premier League champions, Maresca added: "Absolutely, very important. Very important to win always but especially tonight after five games without a win. I think it was not easy and then again we score first and then they draw. I think the reaction was much, much better."