Chelsea's brittle bench
Thomas Tuchel was never going to find it easy to pick a strong side for this game. Not only had Chelsea played on Thursday night against Everton without Ben Chilwell, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Timo Werner and Romelu Lukaku due to Covid, but Andreas Christensen was ruled out of the game at Wolves with a back issue.
Then, in the 24 hours before kick-off, three more Chelsea players tested positive for Covid. It meant the Blues could only name four outfield players on their substitutes' bench.
That is partly why Chelsea asked for the game to be postponed. There were also understandable concerns about player safety. However, the Premier League insisted the game go ahead much to Tuchel's frustration.
Speaking to BBC Sport, he said: "It is exactly like this, we thought we had a strong case regarding the security and health of players, we have seven positive cases, we were made to be in the bus and travel together for three hours, were in meeting together, in dinner and lunch and the situation does not feel like it will stop.
"We applied to not play and put the situation under control and it was rejected. It is very hard to understand it, we are concerned about the health of the players. We end up with players who play coming from injuries and we take the risk.
"I am worried from a medical point of view, we have had four days of consecutive tests. How will it stop if we are in a bus together and in meetings. We are disappointed, we are a bit angry."
To the surprise of very few, Chelsea's performance was sluggish and disjointed. Possession was conceded cheaply throughout and the usual energy to press opponents was lacking.
At half time, there was little room for optimism. But what could Tuchel do? On his bench, there was Malang Sarr, Saul Niguez, Ross Barkley, and an unfit Mateo Kovacic, who has spent the previous eight weeks on the sidelines.
Tuchel did have to bring on Saul at half time due to an injury to Trevoh Chalobah and the Spaniard, who has struggled since joining on loan from Atletico Madrid, was able to help Chelsea get a foothold in the second period.
Yet there were no game-changers, no other forward who could sniff out a goal. In that end, that proved important as the Blues were kept at bay.
A kit tweak
It wasn't just the Chelsea side that had a different look to it at Molineux this afternoon. There was a change to the Blues' kit too.
Tuchel's side were decked out on their home strip but instead of the usual white socks, Chelsea sported blue pairs for the game.
Early Christmas presents? Perhaps. But more likely that the Premier League were concerned about a clash between white and, errm, gold.
Kovacic's landmark moment
During the opening weeks of the campaign, there were very few Chelsea players as influential as Mateo Kovacic. With N'Golo Kante struggling with injury, the Croatian was playing week in, week out and producing big performances.
His output in the final third dramatically increased – he posted five assists in the Premier League in eight matches – and ensured the Frenchman wasn't missed as Chelsea made a strong start to their title quest.
However, then misfortune struck. Ahead of Chelsea's trip to Newcastle United on October 30, Kovacic suffered a hamstring injury in training. He has been ruled out since.
The 27-year-old was fit to return last week only to then test positive for Covid. A ten-day period of self-isolation was required that delayed Kovacic's return.
But after almost eight weeks, Kovacic was finally back in the Chelsea squad. And given the paucity of other options, he was thrown straight back into the mix when introduced in the second period.
In the process, Kovacic finally made his 100th Premier League appearance for the Blues. He will just be disappointed that landmark moment didn't end with a victory.
Azpilicueta's frustration
The opening 45 minutes were not pleasant viewing for those of a Chelsea persuasion. Tuchel's side, understandably, lacked their usual vigour out of possession and that enabled Wolves to put pressure on the backline.
Cesar Azpilicueta appeared to be targeted by the home side with the Spaniard either dragged infield by Daniel Podence or Raul Jimenez or pulled out wide by Marcel. Either way, there was constant space for the hosts to exploit with Reece James higher up the pitch.
The frustrations of Chelsea's club captain eventually got the better of him and he engaged in a heated conversation on the touchline with Tuchel about his positioning.
Both gesticulated passionately before the Spaniard got on with the game and appeared to understand the point the Blues' head coach was making as Wolves' threat down the right flank diminished as the half progressed.
