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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport

Wolves 2 Chelsea 1: Jimenez and Jota stun Blues to end long winless run

Chelsea were left to rue missed chances as goals from Raul Jimenez and Diogo Jota sealed a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory for Wolves at Molineux.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek's deflected effort gave the Blues the lead and they looked comfortable going into the break. But two goals in four minutes from Jimenez and Jota midway through the second half handed Wolves their first win since October.

Chelsea had recovered from the 3-1 defeat to Tottenham with wins over PAOK and Fulham and looked confident on the ball in the early stages.

Alvaro Morata, starting ahead of Olivier Giroud, showed some neat footwork before striking just over from 25 yards.

(Getty Images)

And soon after, Chelsea had the lead. Hazard played it into Loftus-Cheek and the England international struck his effort from the edge of the area. While it was heading goalwards, it took a nick off Wolves defender Conor Coady to completely wrongfoot Rui Patricio and bounce into the net.

From there, Chelsea took control and nearly had a second. From 25 yards out, Willian sweetly hits his free-kick towards the far post and Patricio, with a flying save, tipped it over.

Crucial interventions were aplenty when Cesc Fabregas denied Morgan Gibbs-White with a last-ditch tackle, before Elliot Bennett slid in to prevent Willian getting a clear shot on goal.

(Getty Images)

Just 60 seconds after the restart, Morata was denied a simple tap-in thanks to a stunning challenge from Willy Boly, the defender somehow clawing the ball away from three yards out.

Then came the drama. Gibbs-White, who had a fine game, held off two challenges before sending Jimenez clear and the Mexican struck a low effort through the legs of Kepa Arrizabalaga.

(AFP/Getty Images)

But the home side weren't finished there. Willian was shrugged off the ball far too easily and Matt Doherty's low cross found Jota unmarked at the far post to tap home.

Sarri threw on Olivier Giroud and Pedro, but it made no difference as Wolves held on quite comfortably. A second defeat in three games and another dismal performance from the Blues.

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