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5 Things Learned: Wolves 1-0 Chelsea | Premier League

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(Photo by DARREN STAPLES/AFP via Getty Images)

Chelsea were beaten 1-0 by Wolves at Molineux on Saturday afternoon in the Premier League.

In Frank Lampard’s return to management, the Blues were unable to get a good result against Julen Lopetegui’s team.

The west London side got off to a positive start, but throughout the half the hosts grew into the game and began to take control of the contest. Some chances came for Toti Gomes and Mario Lemina but but they were unable to make the most of them.

In the 31st minute though the home team did find the breakthrough – Matheus Nunes smashed in a superb goal to open the scoring.

Chelsea failed to create any clear openings as the half drew on and they went into the break a goal down.

In the second half the Blues came out and started the half with a good spell, but it did not last for long. There was very little created by the away side and there were unable to find an equaliser.

Here are five things Absolute Chelsea learned from Saturday’s loss in the Midlands.


1) Lampard not afraid to use substitutions

During Graham Potter’s time at Chelsea a lot of criticism was fired at him due to his lack of ability to impact the game using substitutions. In this contest though, Lampard was ready to make changes. He brought five players off the bench, Christian Pulisic, Ben Chilwell, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Mykhailo Mudryk and Trevoh Chalobah. While it ultimately did not come together for the Blues, it is good to see Lampard testing players and figuring out what works best.

2) The Blues need to play with energy consistently

In the opening moments of the second half, the away side came out with energy and were able to gain a foothold in the contest. Much like the first half though, the game became flat. If Chelsea want to get results, they must put their opponents under pressure and play at a quick tempo. When they play like that, they are far more successful.

READ MORE: Frank Lampard sets targets for Chelsea squad in the Premier League & Champions League

3) Chelsea have a lot of work to do

It was an underwhelming display from the Blues against Wolves. In the first half it was flat and very little was created by the visitors. In the second half there was some fight, but still not enough. There is evidently a lot of work that needs to be put in. You would hope Lampard can weather the storm until the end of the season as caretaker manager and pick up some positive results. Whoever becomes the permanent head coach thereafter is going to have a lot on their plate in the summer.

4) Not enough creativity

In contradiction to the game in midweek against Liverpool – where Chelsea created a high number of chances but wasted loads – in this game there were very few openings crafted. Against a side who have been battling relegation, the Blues should be able to take control and dictate the play, but they failed to do that. Despite being a goal down in the second half, there was not a single shot on target produced by the away side.

READ MORE: John Terry makes huge hint amid links to joining Frank Lampard’s caretaker Chelsea backroom staff

5) Real Madrid is going to be… very tricky

On Wednesday night the Blues travel to Spain to take on Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals. It is a worrying thought that this side are going to have to take on last year’s winners and try to get a result. If anything, the game may just serve as a learning experience for Chelsea – as if they play how they did against Wolves, they stand zero chance.

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