LOCKWORKS CINEMA
LOCKWORKS CINEMA
Team news was irrelevant, as the result was the same.
For 45 minutes, Wolves, by hook or by crook, kept Chelsea out. Total generosity and blindness from the blue-shirted officials meant at least three Chelsea players escaped yellow cards for repeat fouls.
Sadly, the second half wasn’t as close as the first. Chelsea took the lead on 50 minutes, and that was the contest over. They began fizzing the ball around, leaving Wolves chasing shadows. For all their reputations, André and Gomes were found wanting and completely overrun.
The second goal came from a simple move and a six-yard shot from the center of the goal. The third was down to pace on the counterattack after a rare Wolves threat in Chelsea’s half. One long clearance left Santi Bueno chasing shadows. With no cover in the middle, the ball was easily swept into the net.
It could have been six, such was Chelsea’s dominance.
Wolves carried no threat. Larsen had no support and failed to hold up the ball; his first winning challenge came on 64 minutes. He was easily marshalled by the Chelsea defence. It’s easy to see why Chelsea move up to second after tonight.
As for Wolves, they are rooted to the bottom on only two points. Rob Edwards is apparently taking over as manager. He now has a two-week international break before Wolves’ next game.
Personally, I can’t see him turning this squad into a team capable of getting another 30 points. The Championship beckons.
James Collins’ first game in charge after Vitor Pereira’s sacking, and it’s back to a 5-3-2.
After the first half, there’s some hope. We looked more disciplined and structured, and played some good football. What let us down was Larsen. He was not in the game. I’m a lot happier with this, and at least we were still in it.
No subs at half-time. The second half started the same: in control, but showing no signs of scoring.
We began to counter well, but once we reached the final third there was no sign of a goal. Chelsea finally broke through; Gusto scored from a Garnacho cross. I thought he was offside, but with this referee that was never going to be given.
Our counter threat faded, and Chelsea went on to score two more.
It was good to see Mané get a run after Hwang came off. Munetsi replaced Bellegarde.
I just don’t see where the goals are coming from. Rob Edwards has a massive job on his hands to save us. James Collins has done a good job, and it looks like his stint is finished.
Two-week break now; hopefully they can find a way to score in that time.
Good luck, Rob.
Man of the match: João Gomes, for his work rate. Performance rating: 5.
When the team sheet came out, we had concerns about selection. Some positions could have been picked better.
In the first half, we looked solid as a unit. We held Chelsea early with good clearances and decent passing. As the half went on, we started to struggle. Chelsea targeted our weaknesses and grew into the game.
The officiating was poor. Several challenges on us went unpunished, with no yellow cards shown.
We had a few bright attacking moments that showed some spirit. But the final third was the issue. We needed more bodies in the box and sharper movement. Overall, we were still in the game at half-time, but we must be more clinical and play with more conviction.
The second half was a step down. We started badly, our positioning fell apart, and we gave Chelsea too much space. They had early shots and momentum.
We switched off at the far post again, and went behind. Not what we needed at the start of the half. Chelsea then upped their press, and we struggled to cope after a positive first 45.
We should have reacted to going behind with at least three subs to chase the game. We didn’t. Larsen wasn’t up to the pace, which is a worry going forward.
The second goal came from more poor marking in the box. No one tracked the striker. So frustrating, and hard to watch.
A bright spot: Mané came on, did well, and looks promising.
The third goal came on a counter. Our former player Pedro Neto scored, and no one tracked his run. That killed the contest.
Overall, we were poor as a unit. We didn’t test the Chelsea keeper with any shots on target. With the international break and a new manager coming in, there’s a big job ahead to restore style, cohesion, and identity. We are below our standards. January is crucial; we need reinforcements. Too many players are off the pace, and it’s tough to watch right now.
Player of the Match: João Gomes
Match Rating: 4
Another defeat. Another weekend that feels all too familiar. Six months without a win, and today was no different — Chelsea 3, Wolves 0.
It’s become hard to even get angry anymore. Malo Gusto scoring his first ever goal after 165 games just sums up our luck — every struggling player seems to find their breakthrough against us. Joao Pedro and Pedro Neto added the others as we barely laid a glove on them.
Led today by academy coaches James Collins and Richard Walker, Wolves looked like a side just waiting for something — or someone — to believe in again. No fight, no spark, just a team stuck in limbo.
But maybe, just maybe, that’s about to change. With Rob Edwards expected to take charge soon, there’s finally a flicker of hope — the kind that’s been missing for months. He’s one of our own, and if anyone can steady this mess and spark a miracle, it might just be him.
It’s been a long, painful stretch at the bottom — but as Wolves fans, hope is the only thing we’ve got left. 🐺💛