Wolverhampton 2-1 Chelsea: 5 Talking Points and Tactical Analysis | Premier League 2018-19

Chelsea surrendered an early lead to endure a second loss of the season - a 2-1 loss at the hands of Wolverhampton Wanderers. In-form Ruben Loftus-Cheek scored early on in the 18th minute, but two goals in the space of four minutes gave the hosts a lead, and eventually a victory after six winless matches.

For Nuno Espirito Santo's side, Raul Jimenez and Diogo Jota got on to the score sheet to cap off a historic win against a top quality opposition in Chelsea.

While the Blues have now lost successive away games against newly promoted opponents for the first time since 1999, last season's Championship winners have defeated 'Big 6' opposition in the Premier League for the first time since February 2011.

Opportunities swung back and forth for Chelsea, but they failed to put the game to bed after having dominated early on in the game.

Here are the major talking points from Wolves' emphatic 2-1 win over Chelsea.

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#1 Chelsea start strong, take the lead through Ruben-Loftus Cheek

Finding consistency

The Blues kick-started proceedings positively by spending maximum time on the ball and causing a sense of confusion amongst a rather unsettled Wolves defence early on. Eden Hazard, who hasn't found the back of the net since October 6, skied a left-footed shot in the 2nd minute.

Although the strike was off target, it looked like the home side would be in for a long evening. Five minutes later, the efficient N'Golo Kante played the Belgian through and this time, his shot was saved in the right bottom corner. Hazard looked threatening once again a few moments later - his shot, however, was blocked on that occasion.

More importantly, with over 75% of the ball early on, the visitors looked to be in total control. Not only were they organized, but also effective with their movement.

As a result, they took a well-deserved lead through a fortuitous goal from young sensation Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who has now netted five goals in his last six appearances for his team. He has scored in each of his last three PL appearances as well.

The Englishman launched one from 25 yards out and to Chelsea's fortune, it inadvertently deflected of Connor Coady's head, straight into the back of the net.

#2 Morgan Gibbs-White showed no fear

Wolves starlet Gibbs-White was on fire

First Premier League start at the age of 18. Against Chelsea Football Club at home. A man-of-the-match award. What else could you ask from Morgan Gibbs-White?

Owing to a busy round of fixtures during the Christmas period and the lack of goals from Helder Costa, Nuno decided to hand young Gibbs-White a chance down the right wing and boy, he impressed big time.

Right from the word go, he looked lively and ready for the challenge. He conducted press, snatched the ball whenever required and played quick passes, thereby keeping hold of the ball well. The highlight of his game though was the fearlessness he exhibited when on the ball, irrespective of the supremacy of the opposition or how isolated he was.

The teenager ran at the Chelsea full-backs, linked up play with Jota and Jimenez and bagged a marvellous assist as well. He picked Kante's pocket, ran through a good few yards and played in Raul Jimenez, who made no mistake from a tight angle.

Every time Wolves threatened, the youngster was involved. A bright future, indeed.

#3 Chelsea fail to put the game to bed after having taken the lead

Willian had a couple of realistic attempts on goal but failed to score

Much like the game against Fulham where Chelsea looked lackluster, here too, they created chances but failed to inject a killer's instinct and seal the game. A host of missed opportunities led them down.

First, let's speak about Alvaro Morata. The 26-year-old has been in decent form of late, but hasn't scored when the team has needed him most. When his side had to kill the game against Fulham, he missed a sitter from three yards out. In the 0-0 draw against Everton, the Spaniard hit the ground way too often and added to his misery by not taking the chances that came his way.

Here too, it was something similar. In the 12th minute, when Hazard supplied a well-timed pass, he fluffed his chance. In the second-half, he could have taken a shot, but was denied by a last-ditch tackle from Willy Boly. His manager too, agreed that the striker could have scored more goals.

Willian was given the same treatment by a superb tackle from Ryan Bennett. The Brazilian's free-kick too, was smothered by a flying Patricio. Kante, Antonio Rudiger, Olivier Giroud and Eden Hazard had chances, but none of them managed to complete a fightback.

Cesc Fabregas, who had an outstanding game in comparison with some of his teammates, saw his shot skim over the bar late on in the game.

Had Chelsea taken their chances before the hour mark, they would have taken all three points with aplomb.

#4 Wolves were strong on the counter

Wolverhampton Wanderers exploited empty channels on the break

To say the least, it was a tactical masterclass from the Wolves' boss. In phases, they threatened through set-pieces and a compilation of passes but moreover, it was the away side doing the talking.

With pacy players in Jota and Gibbs-White accompanied by a sharpshooter in Jimenez and dynamic wing-backs in Doherty and Vinagre, the hosts relied on their counter-attacking abilities and it paid off. Big time.

Both their goals were products of successful counter-attacks as well. In the first, as aforementioned, Gibbs-White won the ball and fed Jimenez.

For the second, Willian was caught napping by Joao Moutinho, who laid it through to Matt Doherty. The wing-back perfectly found Atletico Madrid loanee Diogo Jota down the far post. Unmarked, the winger put his side's noses in front and scored the eventual winner.

Through out the game, they threatened on the break, especially through young Gibbs-White, who was more or less involved in every counter-attacking move.

#5 What should we expect from Chelsea against Manchester City?

Can Maurizio Sarri mastermind a win against Manchester City?

Sarri definitely had one eye on the high-voltage weekend fixture against Manchester City, as he made five changes to the team that thrashed Fulham. While David Luiz was out for Andreas Christensen, Cesc Fabregas started his first league game in place of Jorginho. The same was for Loftus-Cheek, who replaced Mateo Kovacic.

Now that Chelsea missed out on a result, what can we expect from them over the weekend? 15 games into the season, 10 points adrift of Manchester City, it seems like a title challenge is over as far as they are concerned.

The work Sarri's men put into the pitch in the positional sense and the tactical aspect is impeccable. From aiming to keep one another close to each other, running up and down the pitch and racking up pass after pass, they are absolutely fantastic.

However, if the London giants have to beat Manchester City, the possession needs to be coated with movement in the final third - something that is lacking collectively from the side. More players, apart from the target man, need to be on the move.

There's no doubt that Sarri and co. ooze quality, but Manchester City is a different project altogether.