With Frank Lampard returning to the dugout, Chelsea looked to pick up three points against Julen Lopetegui’s relegation-threatened Wolves. Would Lampard’s second managerial stint at the club boast more success than the first, or would they drop points to their Midlands opposition?
WOL: Sá; Toti, Kilman, Dawson, Semedo; Podence, Lemina, Gomes, Nunes; Costa, Cunha
CHE: Arrizabalaga; Cucurella, Koulibaly, Fofana, James; Kovačić, Fernández, Gallagher; Félix, Havertz, Sterling
Lampard lined Chelsea up in his favoured 4-3-3 formation which saw the removal of the wing-back system that the Blues have been using under Graham Potter – so Marc Cucurella was preferred to Ben Chilwell on the left of defence. Raheem Sterling also returned to the starting line-up for the first time since injury, as well as the interesting inclusion of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who made the Chelsea bench for the first time in five matches.
Chelsea started the match on top, winning some early corners, which saw Fofana head over the bar following Reece James’ delivery. As the first half progressed though, Wolves grew into the game and never really lost control despite Chelsea having the majority of possession.
The first – and only – goal in the match came in the 31st minute, as Matheus Nunes volleyed the ball past Kepa Arrizabalaga from the corner of the box after capitalising on Kalidou Koulibaly’s lacklustre clearance. It was a well deserved goal for Wolves, and a strike fit to win any match by the Portuguese midfielder.
Lampard’s Chelsea attempted to respond before the break, with João Félix testing the goalkeeper from distance, but his shot was easily gathered by José Sá.
Despite dominating the ball in the second half, Chelsea were unable to carve out any real opportunities to equalise – with cameos off the bench for Mudryk, Pulisic and Aubameyang having minimal impact for the visitors.
This defeat is Chelsea’s 11th of the season, and they sit 11th in the table just seven points ahead of Wolves who move four points from the relegation zone. Lampard will have the opportunity to bounce back on Wednesday in Madrid as Chelsea look to progress to the semi-finals of the Champions League for the second time in three years, whilst Wolves will look to further themselves from the drop against Brentford next Saturday.
