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Mauricio Pochettino lamented Chelsea’s lack of ruthlessness in entrance of objective after a flurry of missed possibilities contributed to a 2-1 defeat to Wolves at Molineux.
Mario Lemina headed the hosts into the lead early within the second half, rising to nod Pablo Sarabia’s nook into the far nook after the visiting defence had didn’t make a severe try to clear the ball.
It was honest reward after a primary half wherein Gary O’Neil’s facet held Chelsea off nicely, although they had been helped considerably of their activity by wayward ending, most notably from Raheem Sterling who spurned a golden probability when he shot straight at Jose Sa as an alternative of taking part in in Cole Palmer for a tap-in.
It was an inexplicable lapse in judgement from the England ahead, who after a energetic begin reduce a annoyed determine for the remainder of the sport, culminating in a yellow card for simulation within the ultimate moments as he appealed for a penalty.
Chelsea had 16 photographs on objective however examined Sa solely sometimes as as soon as once more this season possession across the penalty space and first rate sights of objective weren’t capitalised upon.
Matt Doherty added a second within the third minute of added time after Benoit Badiashile’s atrocious tried clearance.
By the time substitute Christopher Nkunku headed his first Chelsea objective on his Premier League debut, there have been few away followers who had remained inside Molineux to see it.
“We made a mistake, we need to blame ourselves,” stated Pochettino. “That’s why we didn’t win today, because in the first half we had the chances to score. In the Premier League if you’re not clinical enough when you have chances, always you can concede.
“We didn’t compete in the first five minutes of the second half, we conceded too many corners. In these moments it’s about competing better and being stronger.
“I agree we’re our own enemy. I don’t want to take credit away from Wolves. They scored and they did their job. But in the first half we were the better side. And because of lack of capacity to score, we didn’t win the game.
Wolves had been tipped to struggle after O’Neil replaced former boss Julen Lopetegui days before the start of the season, with financial constraints placed on their transfer business by Financial Fair Play regulations over the summer.
They now sit level in the table on points with Chelsea boasting a near identical league record, despite Pochettino’s side having spent upwards of £1billion on recruitment during the last 18 months.
One of the summer’s big-money buys Nicolas Jackson, who cost £32million from Villarreal but has scored only seven times in the Premier League, was greeted with ironic cheers from visiting supporters when he was substituted, with frustration growing with his patchy, inconsistent form since arriving at Stamford Bridge.
The frustration from the fans you can accept. But we need to blame all together. Football is a collective sport and we cannot blame only one.
Mauricio Pochettino
“I didn’t hear the fans,” stated Pochettino. “(But) always it’s about expectation, how you manage that. A striker that arrives at his age, a new league like the Premier League, it’s (important) not to blame him.
“The frustration from the fans you can accept. But we need to blame all together. Football is a collective sport and we cannot blame only one.
“But he is young, it’s his first season in the Premier League and the expectation is massive. There is pressure to play for Chelsea.”
Wolves boss O’Neil mirrored on a sport that his facet deserved to win regardless of having to call an inexperienced bench with gamers unavailable.
“It was a tough day for us with a call from the doctor this morning around illnesses,” he stated. “I had to call up some young lads last minute to make up the squad.
“Going against what Chelsea had, especially late on in the game, I thought it might have been tricky for us once we started to tire.
“But the lads manage to produce another fantastic performance here in front of the home fans and we deserved the win really.”
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