Christopher Nkunku’s first goal for Chelsea couldn’t save his side from defeat as Wolves secured a well-deserved victory at Molineux on Christmas Eve.
After a tight first half, Mario Lemina headed in the opener in the 51st minute. The Wanderers held off pressure from the Blues before substitute Matt Doherty vitally doubled their lead in second-half stoppage time.
Nkunku was left free to nod in a cross from Raheem Sterling to reduce the deficit, but no equaliser came as Wolves moved up to 11th, level on points with Chelsea.
How the game unfolded
Chelsea were without usual midfield pairing Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, leaving Lesley Ugochukwu to partner Conor Gallagher as the visitors made a bright start. A smart challenge was needed from Lemina to stop Armando Broja getting a shot away after Raheem Sterling wriggled from on the left.
The Blues again failed to take advantage of a promising situation in the 11th minute as Malo Gusto’s cross evaded Broja before Gallagher’s shot was blocked by Joao Gomes. A poor first touch also spurned a good opening for Nicolas Jackson.
Jose Sa made his first vital save after the goalkeeper played Joao Gomes into trouble. Sterling raced through unopposed and had players either side of him but instead saw his shot smothered by Sa.
Gary O’Neil’s Wanderers managed to provide more threat towards the end of the half as Craig Dawson made his presence felt in the Chelsea box before Hwang Hee-chan got his first sniff of goal. The South Korean latched on to Max Kilman’s sprawling pass but blasted well wide of Djordje Petrovic’s goal.
Lemina gave Chelsea a warning shot when his header from a corner was held by Petrovic, but minutes later the former Southampton midfielder connected with Pablo Sarabia’s set-piece, glancing into the far corner.
Wolves were bidding to move level on points with Chelsea before kick-off but their goal provoked attacking substitutions from Mauricio Pochettino as Christopher Nkunku and Mykhailo Mudryk entered proceedings.
The pressure started ramping up on the home side, with Jackson’s indecisiveness scuppering another chance to score before Nkunku’s prodded shot was cleared off the line by Toti Gomes.
Nkunku’s arrival gave more intent to Chelsea’s attacking forays and his pass to Sterling nearly led to an equaliser. However, Dawson flew across to make a brilliant block.
The Blues couldn’t get on the scoresheet before Wolves added a second for themselves. Two substitutes combined as Hugo Bueno’s cross bounced off…
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