The Top Flight
Fansided

Chelsea: Four Key Matches That Defined Their Season

By Keith Lisenbee

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 21: Jorginho of Chelsea celebrates with Cesar Azpilicueta , Callum Hudson-Odoi and Tammy Abraham of Chelsea after scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Arsenal FC at Stamford Bridge on January 21, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 21: Jorginho of Chelsea celebrates with Cesar Azpilicueta , Callum Hudson-Odoi and Tammy Abraham of Chelsea after scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Arsenal FC at Stamford Bridge on January 21, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next

4. September 14, 2019, Chelsea tames the Wolves at the Molineux

Chelsea stumbled out of the gate at the start of the season. They were run off the pitch by Manchester United 4-0, then dropped the UEFA Super Cup match against Liverpool on penalties.

They picked up their first league win away at Norwich City, then picked up a rugged draw against a surprising Sheffield United club before entering into a contest with possibly a stricter opponent, Wolverhampton.

Nuno Espírito Santo‘s Wanderers faced stiff competition at the start of their Premier League campaign, starting with draws against Leicester City, Man United, and Burnley. This was followed by dropping points in a problematic match against Everton and drawing again to Crystal Palace.

Despite winning all of their Europa League qualifying matches, Wolves had not gotten a win in the Top Flight when Chelsea rolled into the Molineux. Wolves, known for their stout defense and counter-strike capabilities, came out with a 3-5-2 formation ready to force Chelsea to burn up their time possessing the ball, trying to break it down.

The crowd at the Molineux got a show, but not the one they expected.

More from The Top Flight

Chelsea put on a tremendous display of offensive speed and clinical finishing. This was personified by Tammy Abraham using his speed, size, and technical ability to score a hat-trick in a stunning 21-minute span.

Abraham used his athleticism by spinning around in front of the goal to kick the ball into the net on his first goal in the thirty-third minute. Seven minutes later, he struck a clean header into the net for his second goal.

The twenty-one-year-old then outmuscled and outpaced Wolves defender for a clean look at the goal, completing the hat trick and putting the Blues up 4-0. At the final whistle, the Molineux crowd saw the result 5-2 Chelsea.

Frank Lampard’s club used their most significant advantages, youth, speed, and clinical finishing to leave a usually stout Wolves defense flat-footed and out of position. Chelsea’s expected goals (xG) for the match was 3.07 on six shots on target, demonstrating ruthless, clinical precision with the ball.

This was a coming-out party for Chelsea’s brand of youth, speed, and precision. It was a sign to the rest of the Premier League that the Blues were posed to keep hold of the Champions League spot that they had earned the season before.

Home/Premier League