Chelseateam led by Mauricio Pochettino and without Enzo Fernández due to injury, lost this Sunday against Wolverhampton 2-1, as a visitor, at the close of matchday 18 of the Premier League. The goals of the local victory were scored by the Gabonese Mario Lemina, 5 minutes into the second half, and Matt Doherty, in the third minute of addition.
Chelsea, after missing several chances, reached injury time in the fifth minute of injury time through French striker Christopher Nkunku.
After 28 years, the Premier League had a match in the run-up to Christmas Eve But given the criticism received for the demanding calendar, they have already warned that next year it will not be scheduled again on this date.
Enzo Fernández was left out of the squad due to the hernia that forced him to leave 30 minutes into the first half of last Tuesday’s match against Newclaste for the League Cup, but he was still at the Molineux stadium to accompany his teammates.
The world champion hopes to return next Wednesday the 27th against Crystal Palace, at home, or on Saturday the 30th against Luton, as a visitor.
Pochettino’s team suffered its fourth consecutive defeat as a visitor and with 22 points they are in tenth position, 18 behind the leader Arsenal.
Wolves, for their part, matched their rival’s line and returned to victory after two dates.
Chelsea had two very clear chances during the game, the first at 31 minutes into the first half through Raheem Sterling who missed an incredible one-on-one when he had two teammates at his side and in the second half, at 18′, the Portuguese Toti saved a shot from Frenchman Christopher Nkunku on the line that could have been 1-1.
With this match, date 18 closed and next Tuesday the new day will open with five traditional matches. “Boxing Day” among which Manchester United-Aston Villa and the Liverpool guard’s visit to Burnley stand out.