In a surprising twist at Molineux, Chelsea faced yet another setback, succumbing to a 2-1 defeat against Wolves. The pre-match ambiance, marked by the festive declaration, “Let’s get this Christmas party started,” took an unexpected turn as Chelsea suffered their 19th Premier League defeat in 2023, solidifying their position as the team with the most losses this season.
Mario Lemina’s second-half header and Matt Doherty’s injury-time finish delivered a well-deserved victory for Wolves. Christopher Nkunku’s inaugural Chelsea goal, though a consolation, couldn’t salvage Mauricio Pochettino’s side from their eighth league defeat this season. The match witnessed Chelsea’s wastefulness, missing 36 ‘big chances’ out of 57, a league-leading statistic as Christmas approaches.
Pochettino, owning the defeat, commented, “We made mistakes. We need to blame ourselves. That is why we didn’t win. We had the chances to score. We are our own enemy. Today, we lost the game.” The loss leveled Wolves with Chelsea in points, propelling them to 11th in the Premier League table.
Gary O’Neil, Wolves’ manager, expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, emphasizing that they deserved the win. O’Neil, who took charge on the eve of the season, has steered Wolves to an impressive position compared to their struggles last Christmas when they were at the bottom of the table.
Late squad adjustments, due to illness and fitness issues, did not deter Wolves. Mario Lemina’s outstanding physicality and leadership, earning him the man-of-the-match award, played a crucial role in their success. Lemina dedicated the award to his father, currently hospitalized. O’Neil praised Lemina’s performance, highlighting the strong connection between the team and the fans.
The victory unfolded a stark contrast to the previous season, where refereeing decisions often went against Wolves. O’Neil acknowledged the group’s positive trajectory and the strong bond with fans.
Christmas Woes For Chelsea
While the post-match celebration showcased the fans’ love for Wolves, the fixture itself faced pre-match criticism. The first Premier League game on Christmas Eve since 1995 drew discontent from managers. Pochettino lamented missing his wedding anniversary, and O’Neil acknowledged the inconvenience. The Football Supporters Association labeled the Christmas Eve game an “unwanted present.”
Despite the controversy, thirty-thousand fans attended Molineux for the first Christmas Eve top-flight game in 28 years, highlighting the enduring passion of football supporters. The scheduling debate prompted the Premier League to confirm no fixtures on December 24 next year.
With over a billion pounds invested since Todd Boehly’s acquisition of Chelsea last year, the festive atmosphere included 3,000 Chelsea-branded Santa hats. However, the first half was marked by frustration as Raheem Sterling’s dazzling performance failed to convert opportunities.
The match witnessed Lemina’s critical tackle denying Chelsea’s Armando Broja early in the game. Despite Sterling’s brilliance, Chelsea’s inefficiency was evident. The second half saw Sa’s return for Wolves and Sterling missing a crucial opportunity.
Wolves capitalized on Chelsea’s fortune, with Sarabia’s deflected strike and Hwang Hee-Chan’s near miss. The Blues remained the only Premier League side not to trail at halftime this season.
As Christmas nears, Chelsea finds themselves in an unfamiliar position, grappling with defeats and missed opportunities. Wolves, under O’Neil’s guidance, celebrates a Christmas victory, underscoring their remarkable turnaround from last season’s struggles.