Eden Hazard's last-gasp strike rescued a 1-1 draw and potentially salvaged Chelsea's top-four ambitions in a lacklustre showing against Wolves on Sunday.
Match Reports
Wolves were cruelly denied at the death as Chelsea earned what may yet be a crucial point in the race for the Premier League's top four.
The Blues were staring down the barrel of a costly defeat courtesy of Raul Jimenez's textbook counter-attacking goal in the second half.
But Chelsea's genius forward drilled home in injury time to secure a point that meant the momentum garnered from three straight wins over Tottenham, Fulham and Dynamo Kiev was not totally lost.
Match Events
19' CHANCE! Higuain's shot saved
SAVE! Higuain makes a good run off Boly to meet Kante's through-ball. The angle is against him, however, and he is unable to beat Patricio at his near post. The corner comes to little as Wolves stand firm at the back.
56'GOAL! Chelsea 0-1 Wolves (Jimenez)
GOOOAAALLL!!! CHELSEA 0-1 WOLVES! Talk about smash-and-grab! Wolves take the lead through their first shot of the match, and it is in-form striker Jimenez who scores it. Jota takes the ball away from Rudiger and returns the ball back to Jimenez, whose close-range shot deflects over Kepa with a telling touch off Azpilicueta. Chelsea are undone by the counter!
92: GOAL! Chelsea 1-1 Wolves (Hazard)
GOOOOAAALLL!!! CHELSEA 1-1 WOLVES! Hazard once again comes to Chelsea's rescue with a superb individual goal right at the end of the match. The home side take the corner short and Willian works the ball to Hazard, who shifts it away from a couple of players and bends out of Patricio's reach from 20 yards. Brilliant finish!
Player Ratings
Line-ups
Chelsea XI: G. Higuaín, D.Luiz, Azpilicueta, E. Hazard, Pedro, M. Kovačić, Jorginho, Emerson, A. Rüdiger, Kepa, N. Kanté
Subs: Willian, W. Caballero, O. Giroud, Barkley, A. Christensen, R. Loftus-Cheek, C. Hudson-Odoi
Wolves XI: Rui Patrício, João Moutinho, W. Boly, M. Doherty, C. Coady, R. Jiménez, R. Saïss, L. Dendoncker, J.Castro , Rúben Neves, Diogo Jota
Subs: J. Ruddy, Hélder Costa, Ivan Cavaleiro, Adama Traoré, Rúben Vinagre, M. Gibbs-White, M. Kilman
Cinbklruy
288
There is no fire in this Chelsea players at all. So these players can really shoot outside the box and they chose not to shoot until the dying minutes of the game that fetched them a goal. Sarry is not learning and he has no idea to implement into the players head how to play coners and set pieces. So many coners without a goal. One way play Sarry. You could not learn from the first encounter with wolves and they have overcome Chelsea. Sarry Wake Up!!!!!
Kareem_10
277
wow that was a wonderful last minute goal by hazard but they were not god enough to get another goal 😑😐
Fakadikmru
243
Why is everyone so full of praises for Hazard? It's really a shame that we're applauding the best player in the team for scoring an Equalizer against Wolves.......
starguard
222
Chelsea may have avoided a defeat but fact still remains that Sarri's system is very static and bereft of plan B. There is no movements inside opponent's 18 yard box. His attack is very predictable and when opposing teams do their home work very well, Chelsea just can't score. The absence of tactical changes and unnecessary obstinacy is what will eventually be the downfall of Sarri.
Nesaiknruy_Legend
196
Our attack is underwhelming but Sarri made the right decisions today. Wrong starting line up imo but he is getting there with the subs. The minute Cheek and Odoi came in, the game flipped on its head and we looked so much better going forward. And being daring enough to bring in a 4th forward was even better. Sarri is showing flexibility and if we can get the right players for next season as long as the ban is delayed, we can challenge for the league granted Hazard sticks around. Odoi is looking like he needs a full 90 in the prem. He is hungry and ready to run games. Pedro has been decent but I dont see him as a better option than Odoi. Wolves are a very tough side to play people should keep that in mind they pretty much drew to top 6 or lost very marginally as well as won away vs Spurs. We were lucky to get that goal and equalise. Positives are that the midfield performed really good. Negatives are the defence and attack being underwhelming which is a persisting problem. Wolves reminds me of us back when we first were transitioning to a big club. If the owner keeps backing them and bringing in more top players into positions with that exceptional scout if theirs, they will no doubt be pushing into top 6.
jefthomas
81
The first half is the main problem . We should have expected them to score and play to score something in first half . We does not have argue to score in first half . The thing that i expected to change soon . More outside shoots , More counter attacks , better passes inside box , Pass forward rather than passing backward . A better performance from higuain