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Wolves nearly stole a win against struggling Chelsea, but a late stoppage time goal from Eden Hazard saved the Blues on Sunday at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea dominated the ball, possessing it for an incredible 76 percent of the match, but the Wolves defense held strong despite facing 22 shots (six on goal). Wolves managed 47 clearances and 38 tackles, smothering most attacks.
As the away side, Wolves only took two shots, but their counter attack in the 56th minute almost proved too much for Chelsea.
Wolverhampton’s Raul Jimènez and Diego Jata played a beautiful two-man game, and Jimènez got just enough power on the ball to get it past Blues keeper Kepa and a sliding defender in Cesar Azpilcueta.
Wolves take the lead at Chelsea!
It’s Raúl Jiménez with his 12th Premier League goal of the season. pic.twitter.com/tiJTNipgUd— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) March 10, 2019
Jimènez now has 12 goals on the season, ranking him eighth in the Premier League.
It would take nearly 40 minutes to answer, but after some desperation shots and Wolves looking like they just might steal a big win at the Bridge, Hazard sent a beam into the net, gifting the Blues a vital point in the top four race.
Eden Hazard rescues a point for Chelsea in the closing stages! pic.twitter.com/jAue0ucvJ5
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) March 10, 2019
Hazard’s goal was his first in over a month and ends his five-match scoreless streak.
Wolves have been, without a doubt, the surprise of the year. They have played England’s top six extremely well without even considering them a newly promoted team.
Sixth-place Chelsea retains its 13-point lead over seventh-place Wolves, who could've come within 10 points of a top six spot with a win, but Wolves still have eight matches left in the season, and with a little help,they could end up in a position no one could have foreseen.
They’re just outside the top six, and being alive there automatically means they’re alive in the hunt for the final Champions League spot, or at least a place in the Europa League.
With the third and sixth spots just four points apart, anything is possible in that range at this point.
While they won’t quite break Newcastle’s record for points by a promoted team, after being relegated six seasons ago and struggling to bounce back, their season will go down as one of the greatest by a new face in the EPL.
