SportFootballGary O’Neil welcomes Mauricio Pochettino’s side to Molineux for the first Christmas Eve Premier League match for 28 years
Mauricio Pochettino: Chelsea need to improve in next transfer window
Wolves face Chelsea in a Christmas Eve clash this afternoon in the Premier League.
Gary O’Neil’s side aim to bounce back after a heavy loss to West Ham, while the Blues look to build momentum after edging past Newcastle on penalties midweek to reach the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
Chelsea hope to close the gap on Brighton in ninth, while a home win could bring Wolves, who won this fixture last season thanks to a Matheus Nunes stunner, level with the Blues and ensure they move away from the relegation zone.
“It is going to be tough, it is going to be difficult,” Pochettino conceded. “We have seen from many games that for the opponent it is very tough to play there at Molineux. It will be massive for us if we are able to win the three games [against Wolves, Crystal Palace and Luton].”
Follow the live action in the blog below and get all the latest match odds and tips here:
1703424207Wolves 0-0 Chelsea21 mins: This is starting to turn into one of *those* Chelsea performances. Sterling picks out Jackson with a lovely floated cross but the striker lets the ball slip out of his control from under his studs – more frustration for Pochettino.
Jamie Braidwood24 December 2023 13:23
1703424054Wolves 0-0 Chelsea17 mins: Sterling is having a huge influence on the game and a lot of Chelsea’s play is going down his side on the left. Samedo catches the forward’s shin as he clears the ball – Sterling stayed down and VAR had a look, but there wasn’t much in that.
(Getty Images)
Jamie Braidwood24 December 2023 13:20
1703423848Wolves 0-0 Chelsea14 mins: A concern for Wolves as Ait Nouri goes down. The left back had only just returned from injury but looks ok to continue. O’Neil takes the chance to get his players in: Wolves are being outrun here and Chelsea’s attacking approach is causing them problems.
Jamie Braidwood24 December 2023 13:17
1703423601Wolves 0-0 Chelsea11 mins: Another moment to add to the list – this time as the overlapping Gusto gets around the outside of Palmer and cuts a low cross back to Broja, who can’t sort his feet out to connect with the shot. It then breaks to Jackson, but Wolves are able to get enough bodies in front of the ball to get the block in.
Good start from Chelsea, this.
Jamie Braidwood24 December 2023 13:13
1703423425Wolves 0-0 Chelsea8 mins: Another half-chance for Chelsea, this time as Sterling feeds Jackson with a clever ball, but Samedo got his body around the pass and poked back to Sa. The visitors have had some decent moments so far.
Jamie Braidwood24 December 2023 13:10
1703423286Wolves 0-0 Chelsea5 mins: So much space already! It’s an open start as Sterling leads the break and feeds Broja, who is in loads of room in the box. The striker cuts inside Lemina but Wolves recover before he can get his shot away. He needed to be quicker there, Broja.
It came after Wolves broke forward, with Chelsea’s midfield non-existent. Gomes couldn’t find the open man and Gallagher did well to track back and cut out the chance.
Jamie Braidwood24 December 2023 13:08
1703423111Wolves 0-0 Chelsea3 mins: Sterling beats Samedo with ease before he is brushed to the ground. Jackson then gives away a similar foul and Chelsea are frustrated as this time the free-kick goes against them.
Jamie Braidwood24 December 2023 13:05
1703423000Wolves 0-0 Chelsea 1 min: Nicolas Jackson has started behind Armando Broja for Chelsea, with Raheem Sterling on the left and Cole Palmer floating inside from the right.
Jamie Braidwood24 December 2023 13:03
1703422898Wolves v Chelsea LIVE: Latest Premier League updatesHere we go! Will Chelsea be driving home for Christmas with three points or can Gary O’Neil’s Wolves side give the Blues another set-back? We’re underway.
Jamie Braidwood24 December 2023 13:01
1703422598Wolves v Chelsea LIVE: Latest Premier League updatesKick-off is next! Wolves can go level on points with Chelsea with a win, while the Blues are guaranteed to spend Christmas 10th – it just depends if Pochettino’s side can cut the gap to ninth-placed Brighton, which currently stands at five points…
Jamie Braidwood24 December 2023 12:56
