Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Northern Irish defender #02 Matt Doherty (R) celebrates with Wolverhampton Wanderers’ English midfielder #20 Thomas Doyle after scoring his workforce second aim through the English Premier League soccer match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Chelsea on the Molineux stadium in Wolverhampton, central England on December 24, 2023. (Picture by Paul ELLIS / AFP)
Wolves condemned Chelsea to a fourth defeat in six league matches on Sunday, successful 2-1 within the first Christmas Eve Premier League match since 1995.
Mauricio Pochettino’s males dominated possession at Molineux however wasted probabilities in an incident-packed recreation affected by careless defensive errors by the visiting facet.
Wolves seemed to be cantering to victory after objectives from Mario Lemina and Matt Doherty however they have been made to sweat when Christopher Nkunku pulled one again deep into stoppage time on his Premier League debut.
The defeat means Chelsea is caught in tenth within the Premier League, with Wolves behind them solely on aim distinction.
No facet has misplaced extra Premier League matches in 2023 than Chelsea’s tally of 19, whereas solely three sides have misplaced extra throughout the large 5 European leagues through the calendar 12 months.
Pochettino bemoaned his workforce’s missed probabilities after a irritating afternoon.
“We really feel very disenchanted as a result of I believe we deserve way more,” the Argentine advised Sky Sports activities. “This competitors wounds you when you find yourself not scientific sufficient.
“We created probabilities. That’s the reason it’s so disappointing. We conceded after a couple of corners and it was actually troublesome.”
He added: “We have been speaking lots originally of the season. We’re younger in age. It’s a younger workforce. We now have gamers enjoying for the primary time within the league. They should adapt. It’s confidence and about high quality.”
Missed probabilities
There have been probabilities at each ends early within the recreation.
Nelson Samedo burst ahead however couldn’t discover Matheus Cunha on the left earlier than Armando Broja chanced on the ball within the field on the different finish when nicely positioned.
Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson was additionally responsible of failing to take advantage of some good openings.
The guests wasted a gilt-edged alternative to take the lead shortly after the half-hour mark when Raheem Sterling caught Joao Gomes in possession 40 yards out and drove ahead.
The England ahead was one-on-one with Jose Sa, with two team-mates to his proper, however he opted to shoot moderately than move and it was saved by the Wolves goalkeeper.
Wolves had an opportunity to interrupt the impasse within the closing moments of the half when Hwang Hee-chan burst by means of however he blasted over from an angle.
The house facet began the second half brightly and got here inside a whisker of taking the lead when Chelsea’s Lesley Ugochukwu deflected Gomes’s shot onto the skin of the put up.
However Wolves broke the impasse within the 51st minute when Lemina didn’t even must get off the bottom to move house a Pablo Sarabia nook.
Substitute Nkunku got here near equalizing when his shot was hacked off the road by Toti.
As an alternative, Wolves doubled their lead in stoppage time.
Substitute Hugo Bueno crossed and Chelsea have been solely capable of block the ball so far as the ready Doherty, who completed calmly from shut vary within the 93rd minute.
France worldwide Nkunku pulled one again when he headed house three minutes later however Gary O’Neil’s facet held on to take all three factors.
Goalscorer Doherty praised the followers for making a crackling environment.
Your subscription couldn’t be saved. Please strive once more.
Your subscription has been profitable.
“Our document in opposition to top-six groups is sweet,” he stated. “We’ve overwhelmed most of them right here and away. We’re doing rather well.”