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Premier League | Gameweek 18

Dec 24, 2023 at 1pm UK

Molineux Stadium

Wolves
2 - 1
Chelsea

Lemina (51'), Doherty (90+3')
Lemina (27'), Cunha (64'), Bueno (90+10')

FT(HT: 0-0)

Nkunku (90+6')
Gallagher (30'), Palmer (56'), Gusto (60'), Jackson (62'), Sterling (90+9'), Bettinelli (90+11')

Mauricio Pochettino critical of Chelsea's play in final third against Wolves

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 24 December 2023

Head coach Mauricio Pochettino admits that he was "very disappointed" with Chelsea's efforts in the final third as they lost 2-1 to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Mauricio Pochettino has acknowledged that Chelsea's finishing again let them down as they succumbed to a 2-1 defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The Blues headed into the game at Molineux sitting in 10th position in the Premier League standings, partly a consequence of their failure to take big chances throughout 2023-24.

That lack of ruthlessness was again on show in the West Midlands, as Raheem Sterling and Nicolas Jackson both squandered opportunities at key moments on Christmas Eve.

Shortly after half time, Wolves went in front through a Mario Lemina header before Matt Doherty scored soon after 11 minutes of added-on time had been signalled.

Christopher Nkunku netted his first Chelsea goal in the minutes that followed, but Chelsea could have few complaints at suffering an eighth defeat in this season's top flight.

After the game, Pochettino accepted that the West Londoners needed to drastically improve in the final third, yet insisted that more time is required for various attacking players to adapt.

Wolverhampton Wanderers' Mario Lemina celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on December 22, 2023 © Reuters

Speaking to Sky Sports, the Argentine said: "We feel very disappointed because I think we deserve much more. This competition wounds you when you are not clinical enough.

"We created chances. That is why it is so disappointing. We conceded after a few corners and it was really difficult."

He added: "We were talking a lot at the beginning of the season. We are young in age. It is a young team. We have players playing for the first time in the league. They need to adapt. It is confidence and about quality.

"We need to score if we want to win the games. We are very disappointed. Sometimes we have to keep a clean sheet if we cannot score. We conceded too many corners. We need to keep going and pushing. Young teams learn from this sort of game."

Chelsea have remained in 10th spot in the table, albeit with Wolves now level on points with them after losing a third game in four Premier League outings.

Pochettino's side are next in action on December 27 when they play host to Crystal Palace, before they make the trip to Luton Town three days later.