MAURICIO POCHETTINO was feeling anything but festive after the Premier League’s first Christmas Eve game in 28 years.
Mario Lemina and Matt Doherty made sure Chelsea’s away day misery continued with a FOURTH successive defeat on the road.
Lemina headed Wolves into a 51st minute lead – and Doherty slotted home a second in stoppage time.
There was still time for sub Christopher Nkunku to pull one one back on his Premier League debut following a £52million move from RB Leipzig last summer.
But it could have been so different if Raheem Sterling had snapped up a clear chance to put Chelsea ahead in the first half.
Sterling was unplayable at times – and when he robbed Joao Gomes after 32 minutes and raced in on goal, he looked certain to score.
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But returning Wolves keeper Jose Sa pulled off a crucial save to stop Sterling – who also had players free who he could have passed to.
Chelsea were already suffering their worst run since 2000 when they lost three away games in a row under Claudio Ranieri – and there was no improvement here.
Victory over Sheffield United – and reaching the Carabao Cup semi-finals in midweek – raised hopes of a positive holiday programme for Chelsea. But it was not to be on a frustrating day for Pochettino.
Chelsea were handed selection headaches before the game with Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez also out through illness.
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Sterling recovered from an early challenge from Nelson Semedo – but then missed the chance to open the scoring after doing all the hard work.
Wolves had their own chance to open the scoring on the stroke of half-time as Pablo Sarabia found Hwang Hee-Chan with a superb pass – but the South Korea forward snatched at his shot and fired over the bar.
Gary O’Neil’s side started the second half strongly and Gomes saw his goalbound shot deflected just wide over the recalled Lesley Ugochukwu.
Gomes was involved again moments later as he crossed for Toti, but his header was brilliantly kept out by Chelsea keeper Djordje Petrovic.
But Chelsea did not heed the warning and Wolves took a 51st minute when Mario Lamnina was allowed a free header from Sarabia’s corner with Petrovic stranded.
Chelsea suffered another blow when Ugochukwu came off injured after 58 minutes.
Sterling wanted a penalty on the hour when he went down after tangling with Toti – but ref David Coote said no.
Then Nkunku, who came off the bench in the Carabao Cup win over Newcastle in midweek, almost made his mark.
His shot was cleared off the line by Toti as Chelsea raised their game.
Wolves lost defender Craig Dawson who needed lengthy treatment after a scramble in the area which denied Sterling an equaliser.
Pochettino then made a triple substitution in a bid to take something from Molineux, Ian Maatsen, Benoit Badiashile and Noni Madueke.
Jackson was one of the players to come off – a decision that was cheered by travelling Chelsea fans.
But as 11 minutes of stoppage time were announced, Hugo Bueno’s cross was only half cleared and Doherty snapped up the loose ball to seal the game.
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Chelsea finally found the net moments later as Nkunku was left unmarked to head home Sterling’s cross.
Chelsea’s lack of finishing power means no side have lost more Premier League matches in 2023 than Chelsea – 19, only three sides have lost more across the big five European leagues this calendar year.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
