Wolves condemn wasteful Chelsea to another defeat

Mauricio Pochettino admits his Chelsea team need to be more clinical after Wolves condemned them 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 […]

Mauricio Pochettino admits his Chelsea team need to be more clinical after Wolves condemned them 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, who lost a fourth consecutive away league game for the first time since December 2000.

This was another day when Chelsea’s failings in attack came back to haunt them. They have now have failed to convert 36 big chances in the league this season – the most of any team.

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Pochettino said: “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.

“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.”

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

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

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

Wolves are now level on points with Pochettino’s men after a battling display, 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.

Meanwhile, British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe has agreed to buy a 25% stake worth about £1.25bn in Manchester United.

As part of the deal, Ratcliffe’s Ineos Group will take control of the club’s football operations.

Ratcliffe, 71, will also provide $300m (£236m) for future investment into Old Trafford.

The announcement comes 13 months after the club’s owners, the Glazer family, stated they were considering selling to “explore strategic alternatives”.

The American family bought the club for £790m in 2005.