Sports

Wolves come from behind to beat wasteful Chelsea

Published

6 years ago

December 5, 2018

Chelsea were made to pay heavily for missed chances as they squandered a lead to lose 2 – 1 at Wolves on Wednesday .Ruben Loftus – Cheek looked set to take centre – stage when he marked just his second Premier League start of the season with the opening goal in the 18 th minute .

But two goals in four second – half minutes by Raul Jimenez and Diogo Jota brought a dramatic turnaround after the visitors had wasted several opportunities to close out the game .

It was a night to forget for Blues goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga , who committed a howler to concede Wolves ’ equaliser .

It meant a second defeat in three League outings for Maurizio Sarri ’ s side , which featured five changes in the starting line -up but looked set to claim victory during a comfortable first – half display .

Loftus -Cheek ’ s inclusion in the first XI was a significant talking point after a week of rumours that the young England midfielder could seek a loan move to secure more senior games .

While the 22 – year -old ’ s goal had a huge element of good fortune , his performance in the opening 45 minutes was an eye -catching one with a combination of power , deft touches and clever movement providing the home side with consistent problems .

While he faded a little after the interval , it seems inconceivable the Chelsea academy product will not be afforded more opportunities in the remainder of the season .

When Sarri opted to make a second – half change in search of an equaliser following Wolves ’ impressive turnaround, it was not Loftus -Cheek but N ’ Golo Kante who made way for Mateo Kovacic .

– Kante question –

Kante ’ s position will again raise eyebrows among Chelsea fans , with Sarri choosing once more not to deploy the Frenchman in his favoured holding midfield role.

Summer – signing Jorginho has usurped the World Cup- winner to become Sarri ’ s preferred deep – lying midfielder but even with the Italy international rested Sarri deployed Cesc Fabregas as his most withdrawn midfielder .

With Chelsea ’ s new manager favouring creativity over energy in the holding role , Kante looks like a star without a role as he enjoyed moments of promise in a more advanced position but failed to impose himself in the manner that made him a title – winning lynchpin with both Leicester and the Blues .

Sarri ’ s regular goalscoring worries were also laid bare once more as Alvaro Morata laboured unsuccessfully for 65 minutes before being withdrawn .

It was a momentous night for Wolves , however , with Nuno Espirito Santo ’ s side recording their first victory in seven league games to bring an end to a slump that had followed an impressive start to the season .

They were second best for much of the first half and had already withstood some Chelsea pressure when the visitors took the lead .

Loftus -Cheek cut in from the left and hit a curling shot that struck the head of the unlucky Conor Coady to wrongfoot goalkeeper Rui Patricio and creep inside the near post.

A fine save by Patricio denied Willan a second goal for the visitors before a brilliant saving challenge from Ryan Bennett thwarted Willian .

Morata and Kante both went close for Chelsea early in the second period but Wolves were level just before the hour mark when Morgan Gibbs- White fed Jimenez , who drilled a low shot under goalkeeper Kepa.

The winner came in the 63 rd minute when Matt Doherty crossed and Jota side -footed home .

AFP