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Chelsea MATCH REPORT Wolves by Always Wolves 12 minutes ago
Wolves 1 Chelsea 3: Two Penalties Cost Wolves on a Soaked Molineux Afternoon
Phil Smith reports on Wolves damp and soggy 3-1 lost to Chelsea.
On a very wet Molineux afternoon, Wolves welcomed Chelsea to the West Midlands and sprung a surprise with not only the starting lineup but also a change in formation playing four at the back. Both new signings started with Angel Gomes and Adam Armstrong getting their full debuts.
Team Line ups
Wolverhampton Wanderers FC
Sa, Doherty (C), Yerson Mosquera, Santi Bueno, Hugo Bueno, Angel Gomes, Hwang, Joao Gomes, Adam Armstrong, Mateus Mane, Tolu Arokodare.
Chelsea FC
Robert Sanchez, Marc Cucurella, T Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, Malo Gusto, Moises Caicedo, Andrey Santos, Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernandez, Joao Pedro
FIRST HALF
With Kick off Wolves lined up in a new formation of 4-2-3-1 with Armstrong on the left, Mane in the number 10 and Hwang on the right with the big man Tolu up top.
Wolves started well and looked positive and on the front foot, bit of a scramble in the Chelsea penalty area following a Mosquera header which Chelsea eventually clear. While Wolves looked good for the opening 10mins Doherty made a totally unnecessary challenge on Joao Pedro to the far right of Wolves penalty area catching Pedro who didnt need any invitation to go down and the ref pointed to the spot. Palmer does what he usually does from 12 yards and calmly slots it away sending Sa the wrong way while putting it to the keeper’s left hand side.
Wolves 0 Chelsea 1
Next to try their luck was Gusto who was put through but a good strong hand from Sa turns it behind for a corner.
Then in the 34th Minute Mosquera pushes Joao Pedro with two hands on his back once again a needless penalty to give away with Pedro this time on the far left hand side of the Wolves penalty area. Cole Palmer steps up for a second time and once again sends Sa the wrong way this time slotting the ball to the keepers right.
Wolves 0 Chelsea 2
Wolves looked all over the place with Chelsea having their tails up smelling blood and a few minutes later it was three. Cucurella was played in down the Chelsea left reaching the bar line before cutting the ball back for Palmer totally unmarked to fire it into the roof of the net.
Wolves 0 Chelsea 3
On the 41st minute Hwang goes down for treatment. After a couple of minutes he heads for the tunnel unfit to continue with Krejci coming on to replace him. A chorus of ironic cheers descend on the Korean. Wolves move back to a back five with Krejci coming on.
Halftime Wolves 0 Chelsea 3.
For the second half Wolves make a second substitution with Rodrigo Gomes coming on for Matt Doherty.
With the rain hammering down spare a thought for the hardy souls in the Graham Hughes stand in their ponchos with plenty of empty seats in the other stands perhaps next time they might decide not to risk sitting in that stand.
With Chelsea looking at conserving energy Wolves press and try and get forward. Mane from the edge of the area takes a shot which strikes the post. A lot better from the men in Gold n black and that gets the crowd going again.
Wolves won a corner on Chelsea’s right. Mane swung it in to the front post which was flicked on by Armstrong with a diving header flashing it across the six yard box to Tolu and the back post. He manages to control it before shooting on the turn to pull a goal back.
Wolves 1 Chelsea 3
Out of nowhere Wolves are on top, the introduction of Rodrigo Gomes is causing Chelsea all sorts of problems with Mane also dropping deeper picking up the ball and linking up well with Rodrigo.
Rodrigo gets himself clear on the right about to whip another ball into the Chelsea box but the referee blows his whistle as he sees Gusto down on the ground. The home crowd let him know what they think of him as yet another call goes against the home side.
Liam Rosenior makes a change on the hour perhaps a tactical one are he bring on Garnacho for Palmer maybe with an eye on keeping Rodrigo Gomes in check giving him something to think about defensively that is how much trouble he was causing the London side.
Wolves make another sub with Bellegarde replacing Angel Gomes who despite the score line played well winning tackles but most importantly looked to play forward and get Wolves on the front foot something we haven’t seen too often from our central midfielders despite all their quality.
Despite this the only other chance for Wolves was a Mosquera header which went over the bar while at the other end Pedro Neto had his own diving header luckily for Wolves go way off target.
The fourth official signals 7 mins of added time by this time Molineux is already emptying as Chelsea see out the game and head back to London with all three points.
Full time score Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 Chelsea 3.
Final thoughts
A brave decision from Rob to move to a back 4 against Chelsea. Wolves had looked defensively solid in recent weeks but for me the strangest decision was to play Doherty at right back instead of Rodrigo Gomes who despite defeat last time out against Bournemouth was probably our best player.
Despite this the two penalties given away when there was no need to make those tackles in the box was what really frustrated.
The other decision to play Hwang on the right just didn’t work. He looked lost, didn’t win any tackles quite often too slow to close the Chelsea player down and on the ball either a poor touch and lost it or gave the ball away. This being said the reaction from the crowd when going off injured was disappointing. A player who despite his limitations expressed a desire to stay but surely his time will be up come the summer.
Finally the two debutants both impressed, Armstrong worked hard and showed some nice touches and linked up well. Getting an assist on his debut will also do him well. As we all know a signing very much with next season in mind.
While Angel Gomes showed his class. Always calm and composed in possession and also wasnt afraid to get stuck in and win the ball back which he did numerous times. Played some lovely balls over the top and impressed always looking to be positive and play on the front foot which is exactly what this side needs. Sign him up!!!!
Pukka