Chelsea continue their poor run of away games and let Wolves ruin Christmas

Chelsea head into Christmas with a heavy heart after a 1-2 defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers. This meant Chelsea lost their fourth consecutive away game in the Premier League; This was something that hadn’t happened to Londoners for 23 years.

Goals from Mario Lemina and Matt Doherty moved Wolves to level points with Chelsea. Christopher Nkunku’s final goal did not change that.

It’s pure December and Boxing Day football is ingrained in English football. Playing the day before Christmas is very special. It was the second time a Premier League match was played on Christmas Eve and the first time since 1995.

Chelsea fans in particular were not happy with this beforehand. Despite the early start time, there were concerns about the return journey to London from Wolverhampton, north-west of Birmingham. Chelsea’s Argentine coach Mauricio Pochettino also expressed his dissatisfaction.

“The fans are not happy and neither am I. Christmas Eve is very important for Argentinians and I miss my wedding day,” Pochettino said. “It’s difficult but we have to accept that we are in England. “Everything is different here than in the rest of the world.”

Poch knows what he’s talking about: Almost every Premier League club will play twice more in the remaining week of this calendar year.

Chelsea misses opportunities

Before this, Pochettino and his players were celebrating Christmas with great sadness. Despite numerous chances, Chelsea failed to score at Molineux. The Londoners did themselves a disservice, especially in the first half. Armando Borja was cutting and sharpening, Nicolas Jackson was unhappy and Raheem Sterling wasn’t sharp.

The latter didn’t think it was that bad. When Sterling received the ball on the half hour mark following an error by Wolves in a friendly, he was denied by Cole Palmer, who could have run the ball into the empty goal. Sterling wanted to do it himself, but he shot at the goalkeeper who was coming towards him.

Immediately after halftime, the home team went on the offensive. Wolverhampton took the lead after misses from Joao Gomes (just outside the goal) and Toti Gomes (header to the goalkeeper). Pablo Sarabia found his teammate Lemina’s head with a measured corner kick and sent the ball into the goal.

Badiashile gave away 2-0

Chelsea then saw Nkunku’s shot go off the line and clearly called for a penalty. The home team waited silently and was rewarded for their patience. In stoppage time Wolves almost took a 2-0 lead through Chelsea defender Benoit Badiashile.

The young Frenchman defended a low cross poorly and set it up for Doherty, who had no reason to hesitate and hit the target. A few minutes later, Nkunku, making his Premier League debut, thought he could ease the tension with a stunning header (2-1), but his goal came too late.

Source: NOS

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