FROM STAMFORD BRIDGE – Even earlier than the second-half collapse, there was an odd malaise about Chelsea even early of their 4-2 loss at house to Wolves on Sunday.
Previous to Wednesday’s 4-1 humbling at Liverpool, Chelsea had a minimum of proven indicators of resilience and aggression since a testing festive interval. That they had launched into a run of six wins from seven video games since Christmas Eve earlier than drawing at house to Aston Villa within the FA Cup a fortnight in the past.
However these regular ahead steps had been reversed from the off in opposition to Wolves, who may have twice opened the scoring within the opening 120 seconds. Although the Blues could be those to interrupt the impasse, they might quickly present their guests an equaliser, with Moises Caicedo – the architect of the opener – cheaply dispossessed in midfield.
Chelsea followers had been angered by their aspect’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 had 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. House supporters sang the identify 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 in regards to the membership’s doubtlessly dire future – scored from a nook nevertheless it did little to elevate spirits round a rapidly-emptying Stamford Bridge.
There have been numerous horrible Chelsea performances in Todd Boehly’s BlueCo period. There have been numerous 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 fee these days, much like Manchester United’s quick and sudden decline after Sir Alex Ferguson left.
Three weeks away from a cup last in opposition to the very best group 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 challenge in latest weeks has evaporated.
A European end through the Premier League is wanting 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 a minimum of 4 different groups between now and Could? Successful the Carabao Cup may save their season, nevertheless it’s an virtually unimaginable 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.
