Chelsea vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers – Football Match Report – March 10, 2019

Eden Hazard produced a sweet strike in stoppage time to rescue a point in a 1-1 draw against Wolves at Stamford Bridge.

The visitors had scored with their only effort of the game early in the second half when Diogo Jota found Raul Jiminez, whose strike nicked off Cesar Azpilicueta and rolled in — but Hazard saved a point.

Chelsea had been on the front foot from the start and threatened in the opening moments, Mateo Kovacic’s strike charged down.

Their positive start was almost rewarded after 12 minutes when Gonzalo Higuain’s shot was deflected to safety by Romain Saiss.

Pedro went for the spectacular three minutes later when Jorginho’s chip dropped to him, but he failed to make contact with an acrobatic attempted volley.

Wolves, sitting deep, were denying the Londoners space in which to work, Hazard struggling to make an impact as the visitors closed him down rapidly.

Higuain’s angled effort was fumbled by goalkeeper Rui Patricio, who got away with it, before the striker diverted a header wide from Pedro’s cross.

Chelsea then appealed for handball when Jimenez appeared to deflect the ball against his arm, before a rare Wolves attack saw Jonny lose possession on the edge of the area.

With the first half approaching its final 10 minutes and Wolves still to muster a shot either on or off target, there were signs of frustration from the home fans when a Hazard pass eluded Higuain and ran out of play.

Matt Doherty went into the book for a clumsy challenge on Hazard before Ruben Neves played a pass to Jota, only for the ball to bounce up and hit the attacker on the hand.

Emerson’s early run at the start of the second half led to another opening for Higuain, whose attempt was blocked, and Hazard was fouled on the edge of the area for a free kick that came to nothing.

With Chelsea struggling to make headway, Ruben Loftus-Cheek was warming up ahead of the hour — but before he could come on, Wolves broke through after 56 minutes.

The visitors passed their way out of their own half before Jota found Jiminez, whose strike came off Azpilicueta to beat Kepa.

Patricio was forced into action as Chelsea hit back, tipping away Higuain’s shot, and Sarri made the first change when he brought on Loftus-Cheek for Kovacic.

The Wolves keeper touched over Pedro’s strike and, from the corner, the ball flicked off a Wolves defender and somehow eluded Higuain in the six-yard box.

Chelsea made another switch, Pedro making way for Callum Hudson-Odoi, and David Luiz sent a shot crashing off a defender before Wolves’ Sais was booked for a foul.

With 72 minutes gone, Willian replaced Jorginho and, as the home side tried to increase the pressure, Willy Boly was booked for fouling Loftus-Cheek but Willian’s free kick hit the wall.

Chelsea’s frustration was growing, and Antonio Rudiger went into the book for fouling Jota as the game approached its final 10 minutes, Jota following him for a clash with Luiz.

Jota made way for Jordan Gibbs-White and, as time began to run out, Willian’s strike was well saved before Wolves replaced Jimenez with Adama Traore.

But Hazard had the last word, finding space on the edge of the area and sending a fine low shot into the far corner.

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