Chelsea 1 -1 Wolves: Kovacic struggles as Hazard plays saviour again

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It was honours even at Stamford Bridge after Chelsea came from behind to snatch a 1-1 draw against Wolves.

After a tame first half, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side got their noses in front after a decisive counter-attack caught Chelsea unawares with Raul Jimenez scoring a deflected effort in the 56th minute.

All three points looked destined for the Molineux until pint-sized magician, and Chelsea’s talisman, Eden Hazard popped up in the dying embers to fire a scintillating effort past Rui Patricio.

And so, after a hard-fought affair in west London, how did the players rate?

Chelsea

Kepa Arrizabalaga – 5 – A virtual spectator for the majority of the match, Kepa was hardly troubled by Wolves until a deflected Jimenez shot bobbled over him to break the deadlock.

Cesar Azpilicueta – 6 – Got down the right flank well but often lacked the requisite end product to really trouble the Wolves centre-back triumvirate.

Antonio Rudiger – 6 – Hardly tested throughout the match, but when called upon the German failed to prevent Jota and Jimenez running rings around the Chelsea defence before going a goal to the good.

David Luiz – 5 – Very hesitant defending when Wolves counter-attacked to open the scoring, getting drawn into the onrushing Jota, who easily rounded him with a simple Jimenez pass before the Mexican fired home.

Emerson Palmieri – 6 – Much like his full-back counterpart, Azpilicueta, the Brazilian surged forward freely but just couldn’t find the decisive final delivery to really create problems in the Wolves box.

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N’Golo Kante – 7 – The Frenchman made a number of excellent recovery tackles and really put his body on the line as Chelsea often struggled to find a way through a very organised and well-drilled Wolves. Moved into his more natural defensive midfield role in the second half and looked solid throughout.

Jorginho – 6 – Looked clean with his passing and controlled the tempo from deep in a typical Jorginho manner, but given Espirito Santo’s sitting deep tactics, this was not really a match Chelsea needed a deep-lying playmaker.

Mateo Kovacic – 4 – A lukewarm and largely cumbersome performance from the Croat who lacked the required penetration as well as precision to truly unlock a resolute Wolves defence.

Pedro – 5 – Made some nice runs and produced a number of neat touches, but was not his usual decisive or clinical self, lacking the imagination to truly penetrate the well-organised defence of their opposition.

Gonzalo Higuain – 6 – Never an easy task contesting against three centre-backs, and while the Argentine had little service at times, he failed to really stamp his authority on proceedings.

Eden Hazard – 8 – Naturally Chelsea’s biggest threat, the diminutive Belgian was as tinkle-toed as ever with the ball at his feet and his side’s only true hope of finding the back of the net, and that came to fruition in the closing minutes after his delectable effort snatched a draw from the jaws of defeat.

Substitutes:

Ruben Loftus-Cheek (for Kovacic 57) – 6 – Much more urgent and forward-thinking with his play than Kovacic, the England international offered a more imposing presence when he entered the field.

Callum Hudson-Odoi (for Pedro 61) – 5 – Attacked with elan but was not really a massive upgrade on Pedro, though Wolves were extremely tight defensively.

Willian (for Jorginho 72) – 6 – Looked to get his side on the front door the minute he entered the field and was unlucky after a long-range striker was equalled by Patricio in the second half.

Wolves

Rui Patricio – 7 – Made a number of key saves throughout the match while commanding his box well and instructing his defensive teammates. A resolute goalkeeping performance and unfortunate to concede so late.

Jonny Otto – 7 – Kept Pedro at bay for large spells and had equal success when Willian entered the fray, Otto was tenacious in the tackle and gave energy down the right byline.

Romain Saiss – 8 – Made an exceptionally well-timed challenge on Hazard towards the closing stages of the first half when the Belgian looked destined to get a shot off – a solid display from the versatile player

Conor Coady – 7 – Created a formidable defensive bulwark with Saiss and Boly, this was an authoritative centre-back masterclass from the trident who hardly gave Higuain a sniff.

Willy Boly – 8 – A resilient defensive display from Boly, who made a number of hard-hitting tackles, the physically-imposing Frenchman was a brick wall throughout the 90 and unfortunate to not keep a clean sheet.

Key stat: No defender made more successful tackles that Boly (five) throughout the match.

Matt Doherty – 6 – Had a tough time trying to contain Hazard, which is not easy task by any means; the right wing-back was rounded on two big occasions by the Blues talisman, with the first resulting in a booking and the second in a dangerous free-kick.

Leander Dendoncker – 7 – Formed a solid midfield trio with Neves and Moutinho and really put his body on the line, making eight successful tackles, more than any player on the pitch – a real heart on his sleeve performance.

Ruben Neves – 6 – In a match Wolves needed to dig deep and defend, Neves showed he is more than just a brilliant passer of the ball, getting stuck into challenges and holding his nerve when Chelsea dominated so much of the ball.

Joao Moutinho – 6 – Alongside Neves and Dendoncker, the midfield three stuck to the game plan and kept their shape, thwarting the Chelsea attack for large spells.

Raul Jimenez – 7 – Excellent hold-up and link-up play by the Mexican marksman who performed his role to a tee, combining well with Jota when Wolves countered, and scoring his 12th league goal of the season with a fortuitous deflection after some fine No 9 work.

Diogo Jota – 6 – Countered well alongside Jimenez, though opportunities were scarce throughout the match. That said the Portuguese kept the Blues defence on their toes and set up Jimenez expertly for their goal.

Substitutes:

Morgan Gibbs-White (for Jota 82) – N/A – came on for the closing stages and showed a few nice touches but not enough time to make a significant mark.

Adama Traore (for Jimenez 88) – N/A – Again came on for the final few minutes and saw little of the ball.

The post Chelsea 1 -1 Wolves: Kovacic struggles as Hazard plays saviour again appeared first on Squawka News.



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