Thanks for joining me you lovely people. Here is Jacob Steinberg’s match report.
For those who are still hopeful of seeing some goals tonight, you should join Michael Butler for Uniteds Manchester and Sheffield.
STATS!
820 - Chelsea completed 820 passes and recorded 78.9% possession against Wolves – since the start of 2003-04, these are both the highest totals by a team in their manager’s first Premier League game in charge. Stamp. #CHEWOL pic.twitter.com/oTLXi1071o
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 27, 2021
Havertz was a bit ... errrrr ... anonymous but was allowed to play 90 minutes. Pulisic was very lively after coming off the bench, which will please Tuchel who worked with him at Dortmund, too.
Elsewhere ... Burnley beat Aston Villa 3-2, which is far more exciting. Guardian columnist Ben Mee scored his second goal of the season, which is great news.
Wolves defended well and had little ambition to attack.
Full-time
What have we learned about Tuchel’s Chelsea? They are already more disciplined than under Frank Lampard but they struggled to create chances against a Wolves team who were very defensive. I think Tuchel could have switched things up as the cross into the box were dealt with well by Wolves. The personnel off the bench made a difference but a change in style could have helped them. Mount was only given 10 minutes to influence things from the centre, something they missed with Havertz looking subpar.
90 mins: Three minutes added on.
Mary Waltz says: “The focus , understandably, has been on Chelsea, but, My God, Wolves look horrible.”
Just doing what they have to on this occasion.
89 mins: The ball is slipped into the box and Mount turns Neves to earn space in the area, only to see his pullback turned behind by Boly.
A lovely pass is pinged across the field by Neto to Dendoncker in space on the right but he can’t control it perfectly and the ball ends up in Mendy’s arms. What a chance that could have been for Wolves.
87 mins: Hudson-Odoi, who has moved out onto the left flank, cuts in and drives for the box, before firing in a shot which is deflected and then palmed wide by Patricio.
85 mins: Mount is on but his first action of note is to curl a corner into the arms of Patricio.
83 mins: Pulisic gets down the right and pulls the ball back, with Ziyech then laying it off to Kovacic to shoot from 18 yards but his shot curls inches wide of the post.
81 mins: Ziyech thwacks a shot from 30 yards out which Coady dives in the way to divert wide via his head. The danger ends when the referee awards a free-kick for a foul on Patricio.
79 mins: Azipilicueta curls a dangerous cross into the ‘corridor of uncertainty’ but Patricio reads it and claims before a Chelsea boot can get a touch on it.
77 mins: Neves decides to ping a shot well over the bar from 30 yards out when he had better options around him.
Pulisic and Abraham are on for Chilwell and Giroud. Chilwell seemed mildly perplexed by the decision.
Havertz gets the ball and passes it straight out of play. An odd decision from a man bringing nothing to the party.
75 mins: Not really. I am seeing if my six-week old daughter will fall asleep in the final 15 mins.
@Will_Unwin hi Will, the first half was so dull that I didn’t mind having to watch the bedtime story and put my son to bed. It’s still 0-0 have I actually missed anything?
— Chris Sheppard (@sheppardcjs) January 27, 2021
73 mins: Podence is the man to make way for Willian Jose, unsurprisingly.
It should be said that Tuchel has been very animated on the sideline every time Chelsea attack. I can’t imagine what he will do if they actually score.
71 mins: Hudson-Odoi lifts a cross into the box but Boly is there to meet it, he sends in another which Kilman chests behind for a corner that comes to nothing.
Wolves go straight down the other end, as Neto bundles his way through with the ball, eventually chipping Mendy only to see the ball hit the crossbar and go over.
69 mins: Willian Jose is coming for Wolves. Hopefully that will bring a focal point to their attack.
67 mins: Chelsea are getting a bit more ambitious in the final third, with the Wolves defence starting to look a little stretched. The latest attack ends with Boly tackling Havertz perfectly, leaving the German to bemoan the physical nature of the challenge as he rolls on the floor for no reason.
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65 mins: Ziyech slides in pass for Giroud, he takes a good first touch but it leaves him off-balance, resulting in his shot being a bit weak, allowing Patricio to gobble it up.
A more detailed description of Wolves’ issues from someone who knows what they are talking about. Chris Redston emails to say: “What’s happened to Wolves is that they have lost half their first team from last year. Nuno sold Docherty to Spurs and Jota to Liverpool (both crazy decisions), Raul Jimenez is injured, as is Jonny and Saiss (and Podence has been out for a month). Jota is missed as much as Raul, they were excellent together. We have some good kids, but no club can lose half its team and not feel it.”
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63 mins: Chilwell goes into the book for a poor challenge on Traore which catches him on the top of his foot.
Kim Crawley on potential subs: “Werner and Mount for Giroud and Havertz.”
61 mins: Some nice interplay between Kovacic and Havertz allows the German to lay it back to Chilwell who thrashes his shot well over the back from 16 yards or so.
59 mins: Kilman catches Ziyech on the shin and the former Ajax goes down in pain. The subsequent free-kick comes to nothing.
Tuchel must be contemplating a few subs here now. Havertz must be a prime candidate to go off as he’s been anonymous.
57 mins: “Hi Will,” says Dean Kinsella. “All the concentration is on Chelsea this evening and understandably so. But, what on earth has happened to Wolves?”
They lost their main striker and have no one else who can score is their main issue.
55 mins: Is it starting to get a bit foggy at Stamford Bridge or is my eyesight going?
Podence is down again after a firm but fair challenge from Kovacic. The referee agrees with Wolves man and awards a free-kick, though.
53 mins: Wolves get a throw-in in the left-hand corner, which turns into another throw from the same position ... and then another. All very riveting stuff.
51 mins: Neto goes into the book after giving Jorginho a good old fashion push in the chest. The Italian lies on the deck like he was hit over the head with a frying pan but he is faking it.
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49 mins: “Ruth Purdue believes in “earning your bones” in coaching. Allow me to disagree,” says Alan Gomes. “It’s not only Pep; Zinedine Zidane, Luis Enrique, Franz Beckenbauer, Frank Rijkaard, Johan Cruyff, Kenny Dalglish, Didier Deschamps.
“All these men were given top jobs with little or no managerial experience. They did fine. Sometimes you roll the dice with a former great and you get a Pep. Sometimes you get a Lampard.”
47 mins: Wolves have brought on Hoever for Ait-Nouri at the break. The youngster struggled in the opening 45 minutes against Hudson-Odoi. Semedo has gone to the left and is immediately done by Hudson-Odoi who pulls the ball back into the box but it ultimately comes to nothing.
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Second half
Here we go again!
What a funny Fiver, who on earth could had written this?
He has certainly done that ...
@Will_Unwin it’s weird, it’s almost like he left out a young midfielder that specialises in line breaking passes and increasing the tempo in favour of having 3 LBs in the squad...
— Jason Lafferty (@jaslafferty) January 27, 2021
The stats say Chelsea had 79% possession in the first half, which is impressive.
433 - Chelsea have made 433 successful passes against Wolves so far; their most in the first half of a Premier League game since the start of the 2003-04 season (when we have this data available). Construction. #CHEWOL pic.twitter.com/ZSFDoYMOwd
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 27, 2021
Ruth Purdue says: “I am a big believer in “earning your bones in coaching in football”. As soon as this obsession of trying to replicate Pep and give a “top job” to someone who has just retired.
“Tuchel retired early due to injury so earned his bones at Stuttgart, I believe, coaching the youth before moving to Augsburg.
“Maybe, just maybe coaching isn’t the same as playing and require different skills such as organisation.”
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Elsewhere ... Villa are beating Burnley 1-0 at the break.
Sign up for the recap, lads, you know you want to.
Half time
Chelsea have looked more like a cohesive unit in the first half but never really given the impression they might score, despite having a hell of a lot of possession. Hudson-Odoi has looked their most dangerous player but no one has got on the end of one of his crosses. Wolves are defending well but that’s about all you say about them.
45 mins: Three minutes added on.
44 mins: Carl Whindler points out that Tuchel is far too modern for the likes of Hoddle (and me). “Hoddle had just called CHO a wing back but I’m not sure, he seems to be playing as an out and out right winger to me. It’s as if Chelsea are playing with Azpilacueta as a right back and Chilwell as a left wing back. Intriguing.”
On the pitch, Chelsea are politely passing the ball around.
42 mins: Peter Oh emails to say: “Re: 38 mins. Given Tuchel’s German origins, I wonder if ‘oompah’ would have been more accurate than ‘oomph’.”
That level of thought is, sadly, above me.
40 mins: Semedo bundles over Chilwell in the corner, giving Chelsea a free-kick in a dangerous position. Ziyech pings to the back post where Rudiger is waiting but his header does not have the power to trouble Patricio.
Wolves break down the other where a dangerous cross is sent into the box for the onrushing Dendoncker to head at goal but his effort goes over.
Updated
38 mins: Tuchel is looking quite animated on the bench, as he looks like he wants a bit more ‘oomph’ from his players going forward.
36 mins: Havertz has not brought much to the party thus far. He had one good one into the box but that is about it. I think Chelsea fans will be looking for more dynamism from him, as he looks quite placid.
34 mins: Chelsea have a structure and a plan, even if it’s not resulting in many chances. Impressive stuff from Tuchel to make them vaguely organised after a few hours on the training pitch.
32 mins: Another dangerous cross comes into the box from Hudson-Odoi, ending up on Chilwell’s left leg, but he shins the volley wide at the back post.
30 mins: Coady gets some cotton wool up the nose due to a nose bleed but I am not sure what caused it. There is a quick check to ensure he is not concussed and he carries on.
Plenty of "tempo" from Chelsea with Hudson-Odoi skinning his full-back at will @Will_Unwin - which Giroud should enjoy.
— Gary Naylor (@garynaylor999) January 27, 2021
Was Lampard happy with the slow stuff or were the players unable or unwilling to move the ball as quickly? Not sure Frank's friends in the media will tell us.
My abiding memory of Lampard was that game against Man City where the team just looked like a rabble. His teams were disorganised and very much reliant on moments of individual quality.
28 mins: Kim Crawley says: “Tuchel shut me up, good and proper. It’s a 3-4-3 with CHO playing in an odd role. Must have been an interesting training session, wonder what Reece James thinks, he would probably be my choice rather than CHO. I expect some changes if Wolves score.”
He shut me up, too. Not that I can see Wolves scoring at this rate.
Updated
26 mins: Chelsea work a short corner into the box which Dendoncker flicks sends out for another corner.
@Will_Unwin Can't see that Werner and Pulisic will have anything to hold them back after the amount of money paid for them. I'm a little worried the English academy players might need to prove themselves again though, especially Abraham?
— Brendan Large (@brendanlarge) January 27, 2021
Only time will tell. I think Tuchel will be pretty fair with all.
24 mins: Podence is down once again after Thiago Silva takes the man and ball, leaving the Portuguese forward on the deck with a knee issue. The medics are on and giving him some spray which almost certainly will keep him going for days.
22 mins: Podence drops a shoulder and does Rudiger who catches him in the face with his shoulder on the edge of the box. I am not sure it was intentional but that is going to hurt.
Neves lines it up ... but sends it a yard over the bar from 20 yards out.
20 mins: Wolves break on Chelsea but Neto’s deep cross goes over Mendy and everyone else in the box. At least they got the ball in the Chelsea half.
18 mins: Chelsea still very much the dominant force but are yet to test Patricio.
16 mins: Mary Waltz asks: “Werner, Pulisic, Mount, and Abraham yanked out of the starting 11. Is this simply an individual match decision or a sign of the future direction of the club?”
I do not think we can read too much into it at this stage.
14 mins: Kilman pings a ball from the left-back area straight to Mendy in the Chelsea goal. What a complete waste of time.
12 mins: Hudson-Odoi pings in a corner from the right but Wolves win the ball and head it clear.
Chelsea look disciplined and are offering plenty of energy, something I did not see in the days of Lampard.
10 mins: Wolves finally break out of their half but Neto is quickly crowded out and Chelsea win the ball back. Wolves look like they are in for a long night at this rate.
8 mins: Chelsea are looking to put in a lot crosses via Hudson-Odoi and Chilwell. They have already attempted a few, with the latest from Chilwell earning a corner which Ziyech lands straight onto the head of the defender at the near post.
Wolves have barely had a kick thus far.
6 mins: I take it back, Chelsea do have a back three with Hudson-Odoi operating as a right wing-back and Chilwell on the left. It will be interesting to see how Hudson-Odoi adapts to the role. He almost sets up a goal with a vicious cross across the six-yard box but no one can get a foot on the ball and it fizzes out for a throw.
Updated
4 mins: Podence picks himself off the ground gingerly after taking a knock. It is a cold night so those will hurt a bit more than normal.
“Why is Pulisic on the bench?” Colin McCarthy asks. “I thought Tuchel and Pulisic have a history. Is it a bad one?”
Can’t show favouritism early on.
2 mins: It certainly looks like a flat back four for Chelsea, as opposed to the rumoured back three. Chelsea have dominated possession in the opening stages without creating anything.
Kick-off
Peep! Peep! Peep! Here we go!
The teams are out at Stamford Bridge under the lights ...
David Hytner on Lampard etc.
Bold music choice at Stamford Bridge.
'Another One Bites The Dust' by Queen plays on the Stamford Bridge PA system.
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) January 27, 2021
I wish I was joking. #CFC #CHEWOL
Kim Crawley says: “It is quite an odd line up, that would suggest 4-2-1-3 with Jorginho and Kovacic playing the double pivot.It will be ok when they have possession, but will struggle to defend and will rely on Chilwell and Azpi pushing up.It looks like a line up that he is prepared to change with a strong bench. Good to see Alonso back in the fold. Hope it is a good game.”
What’s wrong with 4-4-2?
@Will_Unwin Looping you in. But interesting formation for Chelsea, I reckon it is 3-2-1-3-1 with Kovacic and Jorginho joining the two CBs as and when they feel like while other hold the Deep Holding Destroyer/Creator Role.
— Fufaji (@KandePohe2020) January 27, 2021
It’s an idea ...
@Will_Unwin Just spittballing here but could "Tuchel-tuchel vision, t-tuchel-vision" become the preferred chorus of Chelsea fans permitting this all goes well/wrong? If so, ™® etc.
— Ciarán Brennan (@cicibrenbren00) January 27, 2021
Peter Oh says: “Nice photo of the new Chelsea manager dutifully posing with the blue shirt. Incidentally, the number on the front happens to be the number of months that the Fiver reckons Tuchel will hang on to the job.”
Three months?
Here is what TT has had to say.
In the house.
Welcome to Stamford Bridge, Thomas! 🏡#CHEWOL pic.twitter.com/hERPFM4ALQ
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 27, 2021
Borussia Bros.
Some things for TT to contemplate from our man at the match Jacob Steinberg.
Updated
There you have it: the first Tuchel lineup sees Mount on the bench despite his fine form under Lampard. Ziyech, Havertz and Hudson-Odoi are all playing in what looks to be a very attacking team, with Giroud given the nod as the sole striker. There have been some suggestions that Chelsea could operate with a back three and Hudson-Odoi as a right wing-back, which would be an interesting concept.
Wolves do have Willian Jose available after he was granted his work permit in time. They have Podence operating as their man down the middle today, which is a sign of how much they need a striker. I like Podence, but from what I’ve seen centre-forward is not his best position.
Starting lineups
Chelsea: Mendy, Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Thiago Silva, Chilwell, Kovacic, Jorginho, Ziyech, Havertz, Hudson-Odoi, Giroud
Subs: Kepa, James, Zouma, Alonso, Emerson, Mount, Pulisic, Abraham, Werner
Wolves: Patricio, Boly, Coady, Kilman, Semedo, Ait-Nouri, Dendoncker, Neves, Traore, Podence, Neto
Subs: Ruddy, Hoever, Willian Jose, Fabio Silva, Vitinha, Cutrone, Says, Moutinho, Otasowie
Updated
Good evening
The last time these two faced each other just over a month ago, Wolves secured a 2-1 victory. Since then Frank Lampard has been sacked by Chelsea and replaced with Thomas Tuchel, while Wolves have failed to win another Premier League.
This will be Tuchel’s debut as Chelsea boss, having had a single training session with his new charges following his appointment yesterday. It is hoped the German will get the best out of compatriots Kai Havertz and Timo Werner who are yet to hit the high notes since arrived for big fees in the summer. Chelsea sit 10th in the Premier League, so there is plenty of work to do for the German who had a relatively easy domestic ride at previous employers PSG where he breezed to two league titles in as many seasons in charge.
Wolves are four places below Chelsea, although their poor form has not led to any questions about manager Nuno Espírito Santo who seems very secure at Molineux. One of the main reasons behind the downturn at Wolves is the absence of Raúl Jiménez after suffering a fractured skull at Arsenal. The good news for Nuno et al is the arrival of Willian Jose on loan, meaning they could have a focal point in attack once again. He is, however, awaiting a work permit, so the Chelsea defence which was very sloppy under Lampard might not face him this evening
It is always fun to see how a new manager changes things. Let’s hope it makes this an even more intriguing fixture.
Here’s to some fun football!
Kick-off: 6pm GMT
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