Wolves vs Chelsea result: Five things we learned as Blues’ title hopes hit by second straight defeat

Wolves 2-1 Chelsea: Giroud put Blues ahead before Podence and Neto lead the revival

Podence celebrates for Wolves (Getty Images)

Wolves fought back from behind to win 2-1 at home to Chelsea in the Premier League on Tuesday night.

The first half was a tightly-contested affair, with both teams a little sloppy in possession and no great creativity. Olivier Giroud headed Chelsea’s best early chance over the bar on the run, while Kurt Zouma powered his own header against the crossbar just before the break.

Into the second half, however, the tempo was raised considerably and Chelsea took the lead just moments after the restart, Giroud smartly turning in a Timo Werner cross which the goal-line technology signalled as having crossed the line, despite Rui Patricio’s best efforts. The Blues spurned further chances to increase their lead with plenty of dominance and half-sights of goal, though, and Daniel Podence made them pay by twisting and turning in the box before firing in an equaliser just after the hour mark.

READ MORE: How to watch every Amazon Prime Video Premier League fixture for free

Wolves thought they could take the lead late on when Pedro Neto went down in the box and a penalty was awarded, but a pitchside monitor review revealed no contact, the spot-kick was rescinded and the game looked to be petering out into a draw - before Neto raced away five minutes into stoppage time and buried a brilliant late winner.

Here are five things we learned from the game at Molineux.

When technology works

Usually, the first talking point in columns, on social media or even in person - where and when allowed - is reserved for the gripe of the day regarding VAR, the officials, time taken over decisions and other such negatives.

A nice change, then, to see technology and those working it behind the scenes get everything spot on, and in a timely fashion.

Chelsea’s goal was indeed a goal, though it quite possibly wouldn’t have been given without goal-line tech. Patricio half made the save, the ball dropped behind him and he turned to swipe it away quickly - bodies would have blocked the officials’ view, but the computerised graphic showed the ball was all of an inch or two over the line.

Later, a penalty was given to Wolves…and just as quickly taken away. Correctly, too, as Neto was touched by precisely nobody. Quite why he was fuming after the decision was overturned is anybody’s guess, as he must know the whole world could see he dived.

Giroud’s purple patch

Every time the talk starts up of Giroud leaving, it seems, he suddenly finds himself back int the team - and the goals begin to flow.

He netted off the bench against Rennes, struck four against Sevilla, another against Leeds in the Premier League - and a seventh in three weeks here at Molineux.

This wasn’t the 90 minutes for Giroud to have a constant impact in - or 70 minutes, as he eventually played - nor his best all-round showing of the season, but his importance and consistency in the final third continues to be shown. That’s why Lampard wants to keep him around, and that’s why he inevitably ends up back in the team.

System switch

Wolves had great success after moving to a back four a few weeks ago - but the loss of Raul Jimenez has hit them hard indeed. It isn’t just the goals he provides, but the hold-up play, linking with the attacking midfielders and giving defenders a general nightmare.

Without him, the attack hasn’t functioning well of late, so the switch away from a 4-2-3-1 back to a back-three system wasn’t altogether surprising.

It’s hard to argue it was a complete success, despite the win. Chelsea dominated long stretches until the equaliser and really should have taken themselves clear - but the response and clinical edge is all that matters, ultimately.

For Nuno, it might just be a case of taking points however possible while he’s without his No. 9, particularly as Fabio Silva still looks well off the pace in Premier League terms, and his Portuguese pair came up trumps this time.

Questions of character

Twice now in the last three games, Wolves have seen accusations of diving heading their way.

Conor Coady ‘won’ a penalty against Liverpool, only for it to be overturned when it was shown Sadio Mane had made no contact or indeed challenge, and the same happened here with Neto and Reece James.

The usual discussions and excuses of ‘anticipating contact’ will doubtless ensue, but the fact is both players went down claiming penalties, while clearly knowing they had not been touched.

Curiously, neither Coady nor Neto were booked upon reflection by the referee in each case.

In between those games, Joao Moutinho got himself sent-off against Aston Villa, with a silly and cynical foul in the centre of the park.

Less-than-stellar behaviour on the pitch from old gold.

Letting it slip

Frank Lampard has continually said his team are not in the running for the title race, but he probably didn’t expect to be proven right with this week’s results.

The Blues hadn’t lost in 90 minutes since facing champions Liverpool way back in September, in any competition, but they have now lost back-to-back Premier League games to Everton and Wolves.

Neither are entirely shameful results of course, but both would and should have been fixtures Lampard would be hopeful of winning.

His team didn’t seize the moment on the night at Molineux, leading and in control but without having the ruthlessness needed, and end the week with none from a possible six. Ground lost, whether that’s in the title fight or the top-four battle.