Wolves stifle lacklustre Chelsea
Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 v Chelsea FC 0
With six of the weekend’s Premier League fixtures having already been cancelled due to Covid 19 outbreaks Chelsea made a last-ditch attempt to have this game postponed citing their own squad depletion due to a coronavirus outbreak. Chelsea Manager Thomas Tuchel is noted for having a short fuse so his public response that he was “a bit angry” at having the request turned down probably hid a more colourful denunciation.
If rejection only served to raise his ire then at least he could find solace in a barnstorming performance. But it was not to be, as the Wolves defensive web all but nullified Chelsea’s attacking threat. And had fate been kinder Wolves would have gone into the half time break ahead, a disallowed Daniel Podence goal following a sweeping move and a weak Leander Dendoncker header being the two standout chances of the half.
As the teams departed one sensed the Tuchel half time team talk being somewhat fiery in tone. It did the trick for following the break Chelsea were a different side, raising the pace of the game to a level which Wolves struggled to match. At times the homes side’s insistence on playing the ball out from the back caused self-inflicted problems, but though Chelsea managed to get to the bye line on numerous occasions, genuine chances were few. Only in minute 77 did they penetrate Wolves defensive line, Jose Sa saving well to deny Christian Pulisic from close range. Whilst their defence may be a strength up front, apart from the occasional dart by Podence, Wolves offered little threat the late introduction of Adama Traore barely changing the dynamic.
Following the home defeat to Liverpool two weeks ago I said that two more points before Christmas would be a welcome tonic. Wolves have achieved double that. Back in August, had one said that come Christmas they would find themselves in 8th slot with a creditable 25 points, we’d have certainly taken that….
…and on that promising note here’s wishing you all a Merry Christmas.
Wolverhampton Wanderers: Sa 7, Hoever 6, Kilman 8, Coady 8, Saiss 8, Marcal 8, Dendoncker 7, Neves 7, Moutinho 6, Jimenez 5 Sub Traore, Podence 7 Sub Trincao
Chelsea FC: Mendy 6, Azpilicueter 6, Thiago Silva 6, Rudiger 7, James 6, Kante 7, Chalobah 6 Sub Saul, Mount 6, Alonso 6, Ziyech 6 Sub Kovacic, Pulisic 6
Attendance: Not stated
Referee: D Coote 8
©Mark Brennand