• WOLVES RATINGS: Came up with a vital save from Sterling when he was faced by three blue shirts in the 33rd minute, although the Chelsea's attacker's finish was poor. Made several routine stops in the second half when the Blues upped the tempo. Reuters
    Jose Sa 6/10
    WOLVES RATINGS: Came up with a vital save from Sterling when he was faced by three blue shirts in the 33rd minute, although the Chelsea's attacker's finish was poor. Made several routine stops in the second half when the Blues upped the tempo. Reuters
    WOLVES RATINGS: Came up with a vital save from Sterling when he was faced by three blue shirts in the 33rd minute, although the Chelsea's attacker's finish was poor. Made several routine stops in the
  • Reacted well to a clipped pass from Palmer to send Jackson through on goal and stopped the striker before he could bring the ball under control. Made an important interception to stop Nkunku from getting on the end of Madueke’s cross. PA
    Max Kilman 7/10
    Reacted well to a clipped pass from Palmer to send Jackson through on goal and stopped the striker before he could bring the ball under control. Made an important interception to stop Nkunku from getting on the end of Madueke’s cross. PA
    Reacted well to a clipped pass from Palmer to send Jackson through on goal and stopped the striker before he could bring the ball under control. Made an important interception to stop Nkunku from gett
  • Proved a handful at both ends of the pitch for the home side. Vital last-ditch interception to stop Sterling’s shot from troubling Sa in the 64th minute. Subbed off with an injury in the second half. AFP
    Craig Dawson 7/10
    Proved a handful at both ends of the pitch for the home side. Vital last-ditch interception to stop Sterling’s shot from troubling Sa in the 64th minute. Subbed off with an injury in the second half. AFP
    Proved a handful at both ends of the pitch for the home side. Vital last-ditch interception to stop Sterling’s shot from troubling Sa in the 64th minute. Subbed off with an injury in the second half.
  • Allowed Gusto to get on the wrong side of him too easily to put in a cross early in the game. Should have scored when he got on the end of Hwang’s cross at the back-post but directed a header straight at Petrovic. Made an important goal-line clearance to deny Nkunku in the second half. Reuters
    Toti Gomes 7/10
    Allowed Gusto to get on the wrong side of him too easily to put in a cross early in the game. Should have scored when he got on the end of Hwang’s cross at the back-post but directed a header straight at Petrovic. Made an important goal-line clearance to deny Nkunku in the second half. Reuters
    Allowed Gusto to get on the wrong side of him too easily to put in a cross early in the game. Should have scored when he got on the end of Hwang’s cross at the back-post but directed a header straight
  • Involved in a terrible mix-up with Kilman that sent Jackson through on goal. Struggled against the pace of Sterling in the first half but dealt well with the threat of Mudryk in the second. Getty Images
    Nelson Semedo 6/10
    Involved in a terrible mix-up with Kilman that sent Jackson through on goal. Struggled against the pace of Sterling in the first half but dealt well with the threat of Mudryk in the second. Getty Images
    Involved in a terrible mix-up with Kilman that sent Jackson through on goal. Struggled against the pace of Sterling in the first half but dealt well with the threat of Mudryk in the second. Getty Imag
  • Wolverhampton Wanderers' Gabonese midfielder #05 Mario Lemina celebrates after scoring his team first goal during the English Premier League football match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Chelsea at the Molineux stadium in Wolverhampton, central England on December 24, 2023. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /
    FBL-ENG-PR-WOLVES-CHELSEA
    Wolverhampton Wanderers' Gabonese midfielder #05 Mario Lemina celebrates after scoring his team first goal during the English Premier League football match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Chelsea at the Molineux stadium in Wolverhampton, central England on December 24, 2023. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /
    Wolverhampton Wanderers' Gabonese midfielder #05 Mario Lemina celebrates after scoring his team first goal during the English Premier League football match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Chelsea
  • Easily muscled off the ball by Sterling to gift the Blues a three-on-one advantage against Sa in first half. Recovered from his early error and worked his socks off after break. Reuters
    Joao Gomes 7/10
    Easily muscled off the ball by Sterling to gift the Blues a three-on-one advantage against Sa in first half. Recovered from his early error and worked his socks off after break. Reuters
    Easily muscled off the ball by Sterling to gift the Blues a three-on-one advantage against Sa in first half. Recovered from his early error and worked his socks off after break. Reuters
  • A constant presence in the final third due in his wing-back role, causing Chelsea problems and was involved in the second goal.PA
    Rayan Ait-Nouri 6/10
    A constant presence in the final third due in his wing-back role, causing Chelsea problems and was involved in the second goal.PA
    A constant presence in the final third due in his wing-back role, causing Chelsea problems and was involved in the second goal.PA
  • Tried to redirect Lemina’s effort at goal but a poor first touch made his job difficult. Presented with a good chance on the stroke of half-time, but he rushed his shot and failed to keep it on target. Reuters
    Hwang Hee-chan 6/10
    Tried to redirect Lemina’s effort at goal but a poor first touch made his job difficult. Presented with a good chance on the stroke of half-time, but he rushed his shot and failed to keep it on target. Reuters
    Tried to redirect Lemina’s effort at goal but a poor first touch made his job difficult. Presented with a good chance on the stroke of half-time, but he rushed his shot and failed to keep it on target
  • Lost possession in a dangerous position, which gave Sterling a chance to run at the visitors' defence in first half. Brilliant outside-of-the-boot pass to play Hwang through on goal just before break. Grabbed the assist for Lemina’s goal with a beautifully whipped-in corner kick. PA
    Pablo Sarabia 7/10
    Lost possession in a dangerous position, which gave Sterling a chance to run at the visitors' defence in first half. Brilliant outside-of-the-boot pass to play Hwang through on goal just before break. Grabbed the assist for Lemina’s goal with a beautifully whipped-in corner kick. PA
    Lost possession in a dangerous position, which gave Sterling a chance to run at the visitors' defence in first half. Brilliant outside-of-the-boot pass to play Hwang through on goal just before break.
  • Struggled to make impact. Tried to catch Petrovic out at his near post with a quarter of the game left to play, but could only find the side netting. PA
    Matheus Cunha 5/10
    Struggled to make impact. Tried to catch Petrovic out at his near post with a quarter of the game left to play, but could only find the side netting. PA
    Struggled to make impact. Tried to catch Petrovic out at his near post with a quarter of the game left to play, but could only find the side netting. PA
  • SUBS: (On for Dawson 70') Made several clearances but was caught out of position for Nkunku’s goal. PA
    Santiago Bueno 6/10
    SUBS: (On for Dawson 70') Made several clearances but was caught out of position for Nkunku’s goal. PA
    SUBS: (On for Dawson 70') Made several clearances but was caught out of position for Nkunku’s goal. PA
  • (On for Sarabia 75') Had cross-shot that failed to trouble Petrovic minutes after coming on. Stung keeper's palm with a good effort from range with nine minutes left to play. PA
    Tommy Doyle 6
    (On for Sarabia 75') Had cross-shot that failed to trouble Petrovic minutes after coming on. Stung keeper's palm with a good effort from range with nine minutes left to play. PA
    (On for Sarabia 75') Had cross-shot that failed to trouble Petrovic minutes after coming on. Stung keeper's palm with a good effort from range with nine minutes left to play. PA
  • (On for Cunha 86') Put the home side two goals in front with a side-footed finish into the bottom corner, sending Petrovic the wrong way. AFP
    Matt Doherty N/A
    (On for Cunha 86') Put the home side two goals in front with a side-footed finish into the bottom corner, sending Petrovic the wrong way. AFP
    (On for Cunha 86') Put the home side two goals in front with a side-footed finish into the bottom corner, sending Petrovic the wrong way. AFP
  • (On for Ait-Nouri 87') Played a part in second goal as his cut-back was deflected into the path of Doherty to score. Getty Images
    Hugo Bueno N/A
    (On for Ait-Nouri 87') Played a part in second goal as his cut-back was deflected into the path of Doherty to score. Getty Images
    (On for Ait-Nouri 87') Played a part in second goal as his cut-back was deflected into the path of Doherty to score. Getty Images
  • CHELSEA RATINGS: Stepped off his line to make an important clearance ahead of Semedo in the 37th minute. Forced into a good savefrom Doyle with nine minutes of normal time remaining. AP
    Djordje Petrovic 6/10
    CHELSEA RATINGS: Stepped off his line to make an important clearance ahead of Semedo in the 37th minute. Forced into a good savefrom Doyle with nine minutes of normal time remaining. AP
    CHELSEA RATINGS: Stepped off his line to make an important clearance ahead of Semedo in the 37th minute. Forced into a good savefrom Doyle with nine minutes of normal time remaining. AP
  • Whipped in a precise cross, which Broja failed to take advantage of early in the game. His defensive mistake almost proved costly for the Blues in the 74th minute. AFP
    Malo Gusto 6/10
    Whipped in a precise cross, which Broja failed to take advantage of early in the game. His defensive mistake almost proved costly for the Blues in the 74th minute. AFP
    Whipped in a precise cross, which Broja failed to take advantage of early in the game. His defensive mistake almost proved costly for the Blues in the 74th minute. AFP
  • Made an important block to deny Sarabia in the second half. Inexplicably allowed the ball to roll under his legs and almost cost his side a goal in the second half. Getty Images
    Axel Disasi 5/10
    Made an important block to deny Sarabia in the second half. Inexplicably allowed the ball to roll under his legs and almost cost his side a goal in the second half. Getty Images
    Made an important block to deny Sarabia in the second half. Inexplicably allowed the ball to roll under his legs and almost cost his side a goal in the second half. Getty Images
  • Made a vital block to deny Sarabia just before half-time. Lost concentration on the ball in a dangerous area just after the restart and almost gifted the home side a goal. PA
    Thiago Silva 5/10
    Made a vital block to deny Sarabia just before half-time. Lost concentration on the ball in a dangerous area just after the restart and almost gifted the home side a goal. PA
    Made a vital block to deny Sarabia just before half-time. Lost concentration on the ball in a dangerous area just after the restart and almost gifted the home side a goal. PA
  • Lucky to escape being penalized for a tug on Hwang’s shirt in the penalty area. Solid in defence but offered next to nothing going forward. Reuters
    Levi Colwill 6/10
    Lucky to escape being penalized for a tug on Hwang’s shirt in the penalty area. Solid in defence but offered next to nothing going forward. Reuters
    Lucky to escape being penalized for a tug on Hwang’s shirt in the penalty area. Solid in defence but offered next to nothing going forward. Reuters
  • Lost track of Lemina and failed to contest in the build-up to the home side’s opener. Worked hard at the base of midfield but still looks rusty. AP
    Lesley Ugochukwu 5/10
    Lost track of Lemina and failed to contest in the build-up to the home side’s opener. Worked hard at the base of midfield but still looks rusty. AP
    Lost track of Lemina and failed to contest in the build-up to the home side’s opener. Worked hard at the base of midfield but still looks rusty. AP
  • Presented with a half chance at the edge of the penalty area, but he could only fire his shot into the body of Kilman. Guilty of making one too many wrong passes. PA
    Conor Gallagher 5/10
    Presented with a half chance at the edge of the penalty area, but he could only fire his shot into the body of Kilman. Guilty of making one too many wrong passes. PA
    Presented with a half chance at the edge of the penalty area, but he could only fire his shot into the body of Kilman. Guilty of making one too many wrong passes. PA
  • Lovely clipped pass over the Wolves' defence to put Jackson through on goal, but the striker failed to bring the ball under control. Tried his luck from the edge of the penalty area with seconds of the first-half left to play, but his effort failed to trouble Sa. PA
    Cole Palmer 6/10
    Lovely clipped pass over the Wolves' defence to put Jackson through on goal, but the striker failed to bring the ball under control. Tried his luck from the edge of the penalty area with seconds of the first-half left to play, but his effort failed to trouble Sa. PA
    Lovely clipped pass over the Wolves' defence to put Jackson through on goal, but the striker failed to bring the ball under control. Tried his luck from the edge of the penalty area with seconds of th
  • Took too long to decide on what to do when he was played in behind the Wolves backline early in the game. Inexplicably failed to bring the ball under his control when he was played through on goal by Sterling. His substitition was cheered by Chelsea fans. PA
    Nicolas Jackson 4/10
    Took too long to decide on what to do when he was played in behind the Wolves backline early in the game. Inexplicably failed to bring the ball under his control when he was played through on goal by Sterling. His substitition was cheered by Chelsea fans. PA
    Took too long to decide on what to do when he was played in behind the Wolves backline early in the game. Inexplicably failed to bring the ball under his control when he was played through on goal by
  • Played an inch-perfect pass over the head of the Wolves defence for Jackson to run onto, but the Senegalese failed to take advantage. Chose the wrong option of going solo when through on goal instead of passing to teammates and shot straight at Jose Sa. Got the assist for Nkunku’s goal. AFP
    Raheem Sterling 6/10
    Played an inch-perfect pass over the head of the Wolves defence for Jackson to run onto, but the Senegalese failed to take advantage. Chose the wrong option of going solo when through on goal instead of passing to teammates and shot straight at Jose Sa. Got the assist for Nkunku’s goal. AFP
    Played an inch-perfect pass over the head of the Wolves defence for Jackson to run onto, but the Senegalese failed to take advantage. Chose the wrong option of going solo when through on goal instead
  • Had a very good chance to open the scoring at the beginning of game but took one touch too many before trying to get a shot away. Failed to make the right connection with the ball when he got on the end of Gusto’s cross not long after. Getty Images
    Armando Broja 4/10
    Had a very good chance to open the scoring at the beginning of game but took one touch too many before trying to get a shot away. Failed to make the right connection with the ball when he got on the end of Gusto’s cross not long after. Getty Images
    Had a very good chance to open the scoring at the beginning of game but took one touch too many before trying to get a shot away. Failed to make the right connection with the ball when he got on the e
  • SUBS: (On for Ugochukwu 58') Went close to making an instant impact, only to be denied by a goal-line clearance. Pulled one back for the visitors via a free header at the near post. PA
    Christopher Nkunku 7/10
    SUBS: (On for Ugochukwu 58') Went close to making an instant impact, only to be denied by a goal-line clearance. Pulled one back for the visitors via a free header at the near post. PA
    SUBS: (On for Ugochukwu 58') Went close to making an instant impact, only to be denied by a goal-line clearance. Pulled one back for the visitors via a free header at the near post. PA
  • (On for Broja 59') Found it tough to get past Semedo on the left and was often a frustrated figure. EPA
    Mykhailo Mudryk 5/10
    (On for Broja 59') Found it tough to get past Semedo on the left and was often a frustrated figure. EPA
    (On for Broja 59') Found it tough to get past Semedo on the left and was often a frustrated figure. EPA
  • (On for Colwill 79') Turned too easily by Hwang at the near post late in the game. AP
    Ian Maatsen N/A
    (On for Colwill 79') Turned too easily by Hwang at the near post late in the game. AP
    (On for Colwill 79') Turned too easily by Hwang at the near post late in the game. AP
  • (On forJackson 80') Put in a brilliant cross into the penalty area for Nkunku, but the cross was cut-out by Kilman. Smashed in another dangerous cross that caused problems in the Wolves penalty area. Getty Images
    Noni Madueke N/A
    (On forJackson 80') Put in a brilliant cross into the penalty area for Nkunku, but the cross was cut-out by Kilman. Smashed in another dangerous cross that caused problems in the Wolves penalty area. Getty Images
    (On forJackson 80') Put in a brilliant cross into the penalty area for Nkunku, but the cross was cut-out by Kilman. Smashed in another dangerous cross that caused problems in the Wolves penalty area.
  • (On for Gusto 80') His woeful clearance fell into the path for Doherty to score the second goal. AFP
    Benoit Badiashile N/A
    (On for Gusto 80') His woeful clearance fell into the path for Doherty to score the second goal. AFP
    (On for Gusto 80') His woeful clearance fell into the path for Doherty to score the second goal. AFP

Sport

Football

Wolves v Chelsea player ratings: Lemina 9, Dawson 8; Jackson 4, Nkunku 7

Wolves secure 2-1 Premier League victory at Molineux as Pochettino bemoans Chelsea's profligacy

Olankunle Afolabi

December 25, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

Wolves condemned Chelsea to a fourth defeat in six league matches on Sunday, winning 2-1 in the first Christmas Eve Premier League match since 1995.

Mauricio Pochettino's men dominated possession at Molineux but wasted chances in an incident-packed game littered with careless defensive errors by the visiting side.

Wolves appeared to be cantering to victory after goals from Mario Lemina and Matt Doherty but they were made to sweat when Christopher Nkunku pulled one back deep into stoppage time on his Premier League debut.

The defeat means Chelsea are stuck in 10th in the Premier League, with Wolves behind them only on goal difference.

No side have lost more Premier League matches in 2023 than Chelsea's tally of 19, while only three sides have lost more across the big five European leagues during the calendar year.

Pochettino bemoaned his team's missed chances after a frustrating afternoon.

“We feel very disappointed because I think we deserve much more,” the Argentine told Sky Sports. “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.”

You can see the player ratings from Sunday's game in the gallery above. To move on to the next photo. click on the arrows or swipe if using a mobile device.

Updated: December 25, 2023, 5:37 AM
Premier LeagueChelsea