Chelsea's disappointing Premier League campaign continued after losing 2-1 to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday afternoon.
Premier League
Report: Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-2 Chelsea
Date: 24 December 2023
Venue: Molineux Stadium
Coach Mauricio Pochettino made three changes from the Carabao Cup win over Newcastle United, as Armando Broja, Malo Gusto and Lesley Ugochukwu were recalled to the starting line-up.
The Blues dominated for most of the early exchanges in the first half but they struggled to carve out any clear-cut openings in and around the 18-yard area.
Chelsea should have broken the deadlock on 33 minutes when Sterling broke free on goal, however the England international was denied by Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa in a one-on-one situation.
Wolves, meanwhile, had to wait until the latter stages to fashion a couple chances, with Hwang Hee-chan going closest with a powerful volley that sailed inches wide of the upright.
However, the home side broke the deadlock six minutes after the halftime break when Mario Lemina got on the end of Sarabia's corner to head home at the far post.
New signing Christopher Nkunku nearly brought Chelsea level after the hour mark after collecting a cross from Mykhailo Mudryk before seeing his volley cleared on the line by Craig Dawson.
Pochettino made a few more changes for the latter stages, Noni Madueke, Benoît Badiashile and Ian Maatsen were introduced to help improve the situation.
The changes did not matter as Wolves bagged a second goal in the 93rd minute when Matt Doherty fired home from close range after Badiashile failed to make a proper clearance in the box.
The Blues did bag a consolation three minutes later as Nkunku bagged his first goal for the club by guiding home a header from Sterling's cross on his league debut, but Wolves had done enough to secure the win.
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