FROM STAMFORD BRIDGE – Even earlier than the second-half collapse, there was a wierd malaise about Chelsea even early of their 4-2 loss at dwelling to Wolves on Sunday.
Previous to Wednesday’s 4-1 humbling at Liverpool, Chelsea had at the very least proven indicators of resilience and aggression since a testing festive interval. They’d launched into a run of six wins from seven video games since Christmas Eve earlier than drawing at dwelling to Aston Villa within the FA Cup a fortnight in the past.
However these regular ahead steps have been reversed from the off towards Wolves, who might have twice opened the scoring within the opening 120 seconds. Although the Blues could be those to interrupt the impasse, they’d quickly reward their guests an equaliser, with Moises Caicedo – the architect of the opener – cheaply dispossessed in midfield.
Chelsea followers have been angered by their facet’s walking-pace build-up, and Wolves took benefit of each the widespread restlessness and languid on-field motion by including a second, in-part because of a deflection off of Axel Disasi.
The hosts have been booed off on the break and followers close to Mauricio Pochettino’s technical space yelled obscenities on the gamers as they left the pitch. A way of mutiny already threatened to boil over.
After the restart, Wolves added a 3rd and the knives got here out. Residence supporters sang the title of former proprietor Roman Abramovich, who was ousted by the UK authorities after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 – a element which should not be forgotten – earlier than then chanting ‘we’re f***ing s**t’ in joyful tongue-in-cheek glee. Malo Gusto then foolishly gave away a penalty and Wolves quickly had their fourth.
Thiago Silva – whose spouse all of the whereas was cryptically tweeting concerning the membership’s probably dire future – scored from a nook however it did little to carry spirits round a rapidly-emptying Stamford Bridge.
There have been a number of horrible Chelsea performances in Todd Boehly’s BlueCo period. There have been a number of winless runs and dry spells. However none felt as tangibly catastrophic as this newest defeat.
Wolves picked up their first league win at Stamford Bridge since 1979, finishing their first double over Chelsea since 1975. The Blues are on the receiving finish of those sorts of feats at an alarming charge these days, much like Manchester United’s speedy and sudden decline after Sir Alex Ferguson left.
Three weeks away from a cup last towards the perfect staff within the nation up to now this season, Chelsea have hit their lowest. No matter good feeling or optimism had been salvaged by Pochettino’s mission in current weeks has evaporated.
A European end by way of the Premier League is trying more and more unlikely for Chelsea – even when they get their home so as, which is a big ask as is, will they’ve sufficient to leapfrog at the very least 4 different groups between now and Could? Successful the Carabao Cup might save their season, however it’s an nearly not possible process and ask.
Pochettino has not shied away from soccer being a outcomes enterprise and the necessity to guarantee Chelsea do not end as little as twelfth within the Premier League once more. He’s already working out of time to show he is the person to repair this mess.
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