The hectic post-Christmas Premier League fixture schedule concluded on Wednesday with teams in mixed form. It’s that time of year when some clubs fall into the relegation fight. Chelsea hosted Crystal Palace and Wolves traveled to Brentford. At the end of the match, an in-form Everton welcomed defending Premier League champions Manchester City.
Each game generated drama in its own right. Wolverhampton Wanderers beat Brentford at the Community Stadium. Suddenly, Brentford find themselves in the relegation fight after losing six of their last seven games. Across London, Chelsea used a late penalty to secure three points over Crystal Palace. Mykhailo Mudryk and Noni Madueke scored Crystal Palace’s goals to compensate for Michael Olise’s equaliser.
Chelsea leaves late against Crystal Palace
In search of some semblance of form, Mauricio Pochettino on Wednesday named the eighth-youngest starting line-up in Premier League history. With inexperienced players scattered around the pitch, Crystal Palace tried to attack early. Roy Hodgson’s team had a run of early possession and chances that lasted a quarter of an hour. However, the Eagles failed to capitalize on any opportunities, allowing the talent of Chelsea’s young players to shine.
This happened in the 13th minute thanks to Mykhailo Mudryk. Malo Gusto’s square pass found the left boot of Mudryk, who passed it into the net to give Chelsea the lead. Mudryk had a chance to double the lead, but a strong save from Dean Henderson on a breakaway kept the lead at one. Palace took advantage to level the match in first-half stoppage time. Michael Olise contained Jordan Ayew’s pass with his chest before hitting the ball with his second touch. At half-time it was 1-1.
The score remained that way for the next 43 minutes. Both teams had chances and Chelsea had the ball in the back of the net through Nicolas Jackson. However, a close offside position by the Senegalese kept the match locked at one.
Three minutes after the disallowed goal, Chelsea had a corner that fell to Noni Madueke. Madueke took a touch before Eberechi Eze took him down. Initially, the referee did not award a penalty. However, after the VAR review, Chelsea were awarded a penalty. Madueke stepped forward and sent Henderson the wrong way.
That goal made the difference and Chelsea got three crucial points.
Wolves put pressure on Thomas Frank
Wolverhampton Wanderers achieved their biggest win of the season, at least according to the scoreboard, with a 4-1 thrashing of Brentford. Hwang Hee-chan’s brace split the goals of Mario Lemina and Jeanricner Bellegarde for the Wolves’ four goals. Yoanna Wissa tried to get Brentford back into the game as part of a flurry of first-half goals.
That started with Mario Lemina, who now has goals in consecutive games. His header put Wolves ahead after 13 minutes. Hwang added the Wolves’ second no more than a minute later. A terrible mistake by Nathan Collins allowed Hwang to double the visitors’ lead. Two minutes later, Brentford were back in the game. Yoane Wissa finished off Neal Maupay’s drive to halve Wolves’ lead.
Then after 28 minutes, Wolves regained their two-goal lead when Hwang secured his brace. A more calamitous move from Brentford saw the South Korean score again. He rolled the ball into the bottom right corner to give the Wolves a 3-1 lead that lasted until halftime.
In the second half, Brentford started well with good chances. However, the goal-line punts and near misses told the story. Frustration began to set in and the Wolves took advantage. After the Wolves hit the post three minutes earlier, Jeanricner Bellegarde put an end to the match in the 79th minute. Nathan Collins had another bad moment that led to a two-on-one for the Wolves. Matheus Cunha approached Bellegarde, who put the ball in.
Wolves have won their last two games and three of their last five to level on points with Chelsea.
Manchester City recovers
In the third and final match of the day, Manchester City returned to the top four after coming from behind to defeat Everton. In their first match after winning the FIFA Club World Cup, Manchester City started slowly. Everton opened the scoring in the 29th minute with a goal from Jack Harrison.
The Toffees continued to advance, but it was Manchester City who scored the next goal. Phil Foden scored with a shot from outside the area to level the score in the 53rd minute.
City’s experience continued to flow as Pep Guardiola won the match thanks to goals from Julián Álvarez (64th minute) and Bernardo Silva (86th minute) to win the match 3-1 at Goodison Park.
Photo: Imago
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