A first-half strike from Matheus Nunes was enough for Wolves to spoil Frank Lampard's return to the dugout for Chelsea and keep the Blues in the bottom half of the Premier League table.
It ends in defeat for the Blues. #WolChe pic.twitter.com/FcYNWRtNPy
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 8, 2023
GET. IN.
— Wolves (@Wolves) April 8, 2023
🐺⏱️ pic.twitter.com/JqdNbd9GOS
How it happened
Back in the Chelsea dugout. 🔵#WolChe pic.twitter.com/2qNNbqsUTJ
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 8, 2023
The opening 30 minutes was cagey and short on goalmouth action as Wolves went toe-to-toe with the underperforming Blues before Matheus Nunes handed the hosts the lead in style.
32' | #WOL 1-0 #CHE
— Wolves (@Wolves) April 8, 2023
A stunning, stunning strike from Nunes. The visitors head a cross half clear into the right flank - the ball sits up for Nunes but he has so much to do from a narrow angle. He takes his time and fires a thunderbolt beyond Arrizabalaga! 👏#WOLCHE https://t.co/UA4tnDxPJH
A partially-cleared bouncing ball dropped the way of the Portuguese international, who struck it firmly across the face of goal and into the top corner.
— Wolves (@Wolves) April 8, 2023
That goal was a wake-up call for Chelsea who began to attack more and put pressure on the Wolves' backline but Lampard's men lacked the finishing touch when it mattered.
Kepa Arrizabalaga in the Chelsea goal was called upon to deny former Chelsea man Diego Costa, after he found space in the box to unleash a goal-bound effort.
Second half - Chelsea unable to break down stubborn Wolves
Work to do. #WolChe pic.twitter.com/Xp6YLQZPL2
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 8, 2023
Chelsea emerged in the second half with more intensity and attacking intent, sending in cross after cross into the box and forcing Wolves to defend in their own box.
However, for all of Chelsea's possession in the second half, they struggled to create clear-cut chances and Jose Sa in the Wolves' goal was hardly troubled.
This victory lifts Wolves to12th in the Premier League, four points clear of a congested relegation zone. Meanwhile, Chelsea"s latest defeat leaves them languishing in midtable with very little left to play for.