Premier League: Chelsea beaten by Wolves - reaction

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Chelsea suffered a Christmas Eve to forget as Wolves condemned Mauricio Pochettino's men to an eighth Premier League defeat of a tepid campaign.

Second-half goals from Mario Lemina and Matt Doherty secured victory for the hosts, who recorded successive league wins against Chelsea for the first time in nearly half a century.

Substitute Christopher Nkunku headed home in injury time on his Premier League debut but it was not enough to salvage a point for the Blues.

This was another day when Chelsea's failings in attack came back to haunt them.

Nicolas Jackson's contribution was so underwhelming his exit 10 minutes from time was cheered by the Chelsea fans.

The result leaves Chelsea 10th, seven points off qualification for the Europa Conference League, which, even at this stage, looks the best the Londoners can hope for.

Wolves are now level on points with the Blues after a battling display from Gary O'Neil's men, although the victory came at a price as experienced defender Craig Dawson limped off during the second half with what appeared to be a serious injury.

One of Chelsea's few positives to come from today was a goal from substitute Christopher Nkunku.

He became the 27th player to score on his Premier League debut for Chelsea and first to do so as a substitute since Alvaro Morata versus Burnley in August 2017.

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino, speaking to Sky Sports: "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."

Most missed big chances: "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."

Wolves have scored at least once in 16 consecutive top-flight matches at Molineux for the first time since March 1970.

Mario Lemina has scored three Premier League goals for Wolves this season (all at Molineux), as many as in his previous four campaigns in the competition combined (93 appearances).

Meanwhile, Matt Doherty scored his first Premier League goal for Wolves since March 2020 versus Tottenham and his first at Molineux since December 2019 versus Manchester City.

Chelsea have lost four consecutive away Premier League games for the first time since December 2000 under Claudio Ranieri (a run of five).

No side has lost more Premier League matches in 2023 than Chelsea (19), while only Almería (24), Werder Bremen (20) and Empoli (20) have lost more games than the Blues across the big five European leagues (Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A and Ligue 1) this calendar year.

Chelsea have missed 36 of their 57 'big chances' in the Premier League this season, more than any other side.

Wolves right-back Matt Doherty, speaking to Sky Sports: "The change was very important because I managed to nick a goal at the end. I've been doing that all my career, being in the right place at the right time so I just put it away."

Beating top sides: "The kind of atmosphere that's generated around the stadium. Our record against top six teams is good. We've beaten most of them here and away. We're doing really well."

Wolves goalscorer Mario Lemina, speaking to Sky Sports: "It's amazing, the support we have here is fantastic. I hope we can keep pushing on and making the fans happy."

On tactics change: "He [Gary O'Neil] just said to change the tactics. It worked really well."

On celebration: "I'm getting used to scoring now so I need a signature celebration. I want to pass a message to my dad who is in hospital. Keep pushing and we are all together."

Since Wolves lost 3-1 at home to Liverpool on 16 September, they are now unbeaten in seven games at Molineux.

These are those results...

• 2-1 v Manchester City
• 1-1 v Aston Villa
• 2-2 v Newcastle
• 2-1 v Tottenham
• 1-0 v Burnley
• 1-1 v Nottingham Forest
• 2-1 v Chelsea.

The only change to the top half of the table is Chelsea's goal difference getting worse...

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...while Wolves join them on 22 points and jump up from 14th to 11th.

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The away performances are in questions. Have Chelsea got the desire when things are getting tough?

They had several opportunities but didn't take them.

SMS Message: Every single Chelsea player should be embarrassed yet again. Another totally pathetic performance, dallying on the ball and going nowhere only to get caught out with mistakes galore at the back. Absolutely useless. from Conor

Every single Chelsea player should be embarrassed yet again. Another totally pathetic performance, dallying on the ball and going nowhere only to get caught out with mistakes galore at the back. Absolutely useless.

It's a happy Christmas for Wolves as they get the three points and Chelsea suffer their fourth successive away loss in the Premier League.

After a poor, goalless first half, it improved. Mario Lemina headed Wolves ahead and Matt Doherty got a second late on. Christopher Nkunku scored with a header in stoppage time for his first Chelsea goal, but Mauricio Pochettino's side could not find an equaliser.

Whistles around the ground, still no whistle from the ref though.

We're into the 11th added on minute. Wolves nearly there.

That's a ridiculous decision from the referee. I don't think that's a yellow card for Sterling for simulation.

Raheem Sterling goes down under Joao Gomes' challenge, but the referee says Sterling made too much of it and books him for simulation.

That's Sterling's fifth yellow of the season so, just like Cole Palmer, he will be suspended for the home game against Crystal Palace on 27 December.

Can Chelsea snatch a sensational draw? Three minutes to salvage something from a 2-0 deficit.

It's no wonder Gary O'Neil didn't celebrate Wolves' second much, he knew there was still time left in this game.