NICK PARKES TALKS ABOUT WOLVES CHRISTMAS WIN AGAINST CHELSEA
Wolves picked up 3 huge points on Christmas Eve to give each Wolves fan an early Christmas present and which means we go into Christmas on 22 points and sitting nicely in 11th position.
LINE UP & Player Rating
Sa (7)
Semedo (8), Dawson (7.5), Kilman, (7.5) Toti, (8) Ait-Nouri (7.5)
Gomes (7.5), Lemina (9)
Sarabia (6.5), Cunha, (6) Hwang (6)
FIRST HALF
The early Christmas Eve fixture kicked off with Chelsea having the majority of possession in the opening 15 minutes. They found pockets of spaces and were able to pass it around fairly easily. Wolves looked nervous in possession and struggled to retain the ball and do anything really productive with it. Even though Wolves couldn’t really get a foot on the ball, the energy levels and commitment was clear. A great tackle in our box from Lemina saw him celebrating as if he’d scored a goal. Wolves were up for the fight. A crucial touch from Semedo poked the ball away from a Chelsea attacker which prevented him a glorious chance at the back post.
Chelsea looked to target Toti’s side of the pitch and with Ait-Nouri bombing forward often, Toti was often left exposed but he coped with his attacker very well and only on certain 1 on 1 situations did he struggle. He won most duels and tackles which was excellent to see. Wolves continued to give away the ball too easily and Sarabia in particular looked shaky. He gifted Chelsea the ball after misplacing an easy pass to Semedo, Chelsea countered and only a foul from Lemina (which earned him a booking) saved Wolves.
One bright spark did come on the half hour mark as a typical Ait-Nouri run from wide to centre caused Chelsea trouble and only a rash tackle on the edge of the Chelsea box stopped him. The resulting free kick was deflected and out for a corner.
The biggest chance of the half came just after as Jose Sa (back in the starting 11) saved Joao Gomes’ blushes with a great 1 on 1 save to prevent Sterling who had his shot saved by the Wolves number 1 ‘keeper’. A crucial moment in the game as after this Wolves, and the fans, rallied and we started putting Chelsea under real pressure with our best spell of the half. Wave of attacks came for Wolves but we weren’t clinical enough to carve a real chance despite all the great build up play. Sarabia played a wonderful ball over the top to Hwang who took his shot first time in the Chelsea box but only to see his shot rise over the bar.
Half time rang and both teams went in feeling they should have done more with their chances. Chelsea had the much better opportunities and were wasteful. Wolves was guilty of giving the ball away too easily and might count themselves lucky not to be trailing. Despite this, Wolves had chances too. 0-0 after 45 minutes.
SECOND HALF
Wolves came out roaring at the start of the second half. Countless corners and attacks came in the opening 10 minutes of the second 45. A corner found its way to Joao Gomes on the wing who played in a wonderful ball to the back post where an unmarked Toti had a glorious chance on goal but his header was pretty much straight at the ‘keeper’ and pushed away.
It was another corner which saw Wolves take a deserved lead on 51 minutes. A nicely whipped in corner from Sarabia found the head of Lemina in a crowded box and he stuck it away into the bottom corner to send the Wolves fans into raptures! 1-0 Wolves.
Chelsea almost had a great chance just after to equalise as Kilman and Semedo ran into each other in our box, to leave a Chelsea player on goal, but a wonderful recovering tackle from Semedo cleared the danger. Semedo was excellent all game against Sterling.
Another defender who had a great game was Toti, he’s had his critics of late but he really stepped up today and no moment typified this more than just after the hour mark as a Chelsea player had a shot at close range in the box but Toti superbly positioned himself on the line to kick the ball away. Chelsea had spells where they put constant pressure on our defence but they stood up to the task excellently and put their bodies on the line to maintain our lead. Dawson made an incredible block to prevent a goal on 65 minutes only to get hit by Jose Sa, he stayed down and was eventually taken off for Santiago Bueno. Another example of giving 100% for the team.
Sarabia who made the assist for the goal was also taken off for Doyle who looked to gain more control on the ball in the middle and Wolves continued to break away but most attacks fizzled out before a real chance could happen.
Wolves stood firm despite Chelsea’s pressure. Joao Gomes had the bit between his teeth and hounded each Chelsea player down. ‘Doc’ and Hugo Bueno came on late and had an almost instant contribution. Chelsea looked to break away down our left but a great recovery tackle by H.Bueno allowed him to play in Gomes, he then returned the favour with a defence splitting ball deep in Chelsea’s half. He played it across the box and a poor touch by the defender had the ball fall to Doc around the 6 yard area who neatly side footed the ball into the back of the net to put Wolves 2-0 and surely on course for 3 magical points.
Chelsea did however get one back as Kilman gifted the attacker a little bit too much room in the box and he glanced a header past Sa into the net. And despite a nervy last few minutes Chelsea didn’t create anything and the ref blew after an incredible 11 minutes injury time. A great fighting performance and although not a great team performance, certain individuals played excellently. Chelsea are a hit and miss team but a team full of quality, we nullified them to a few chances (mostly down to our own mistakes) and we looked good on the transition but limp in the final third.
POST MATCH
There were a few stand out performances with Toti and Semedo having great games but Lemina was back to his absolute best and deserving of his Man of the Match trophy! A well taken goal but his all round performance was excellent. He embodies the spirit this team shows. Fight, passion and the never stop attitude. Every Wolves fan knows that we will have bad games and lose, but when the players put in that much effort for the 3 points they will back them to the hilt. A complete contrast to West Ham away.
A great way to start the festive period. From everyone at Always Wolves have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!
ARTICLE BY NICK PARKES
Hi, I’m Nick! Born in Wolverhampton and currently living in Barcelona. I’ve been a Wolves fan since birth (dad’s choice) and was a north bank season ticket holder in my younger days. My favourite all-time player, Bully!
I’m an English teacher by trade and when I’m not scolding teenagers in the class, I’m either running, gardening or watching cricket!