WOLVES PUSH THE BLUES TO THE LIMIT
PAUL LAMBERT’S struggling Wolves side put on a display the bumper Molineux crowd could be proud of despite being knocked out of the FA Cup by Premier League leaders Chelsea.
Antonio Conte’s table toppers won the game 2-0 thanks to two second-half goals from Pedro and Diego Costa, although Wolves made them work hard to ensure they weren’t on the wrong side of the result.
Lambert said: “I don’t know if I’d say we were unlucky, but for an hour we were absolutely fantastic. I’m proud of my team’s performance.
“Chelsea are world class, they’re relentless, it’s going to be really difficult for some team to stop them now.
“It’s unfortunate we couldn’t get over that hurdle today, but the positives we can take from the game are huge. Every player can go home with their heads held high, all my players deserve credit.
“We were well in the game for the most part of it. If we continue to play with the intensity that we did today we’ll carry it into our league form.”
The hosts should have taken the lead five minutes into the game after the ball fell perfectly to former Chelsea trainee George Saville who found himself front and centre of Asmir Begovic’s goal. But his piercing shot crashed agonizingly against the foot of the post from 12 yards out, and Andreas Weimann scuffed the rebound.
Chelsea hit back with a halfchance minutes later after Cesc Fabregas’s well weighted pass found Willian, but his attempt to lift the ball over Ikeme was thwarted as the Wolves keeper stood strong to keep the score level early on.
Wolves will have been somewhat disappointed to go in at half-time with the scores allsqaure, the home side thoroughly getting the better of their Premier League opponents whose team of superstars looked disjointed and lethargic.
A more settled Chelsea side kept Wolves on their toes as the second half progressed, Antonio Conte’s side showing much more intent than they had in the first 45 minutes.
Having visibly tired their opponents the visitors took the lead on 65 minutes after Willian’s deep cross found the unmarked Pedro at the back post and he made no mistake in comfortably heading home to put the Premier League side ahead.
Chelsea talisman Diego Costa doubled the scoreline late on, stroking home a right-footed shot from 12 yards out after the ball fell at his feet following an interception, putting the game out of sight for Wolves.
Conte hailed his side following their victory, while reserving praise for his Championship opposition. “This was the toughest challenge we’ve faced in the FA Cup for sure,” said the Italian. “I tried to warn my players about the difficulty of this game in the changing rooms before the game.
“We suffered in the first half. Wolves started the game very well with great intensity, they put a lot of crosses into our box, but we defended very well.
“In the second half we played our football and we played very well, we created chances and managed to score the two goals we needed.
“I have to complement Wolves’ performance; they showed good character and good intensity.”