Chelsea’s Pochettino rues early missed chances in Wolves defeat

After a goalless first half in which Raheem Sterling spurned a golden opportunity to put Chelsea in front, Mario Lemina headed in a corner to give Wolves the lead before Matt Doherty sealed the win in added time.

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Chelsea can only blame itself for missing early chances in its 2-1 Premier League defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday, manager Mauricio Pochettino said.

After a goalless first half in which Raheem Sterling spurned a golden opportunity to put Chelsea in front, Mario Lemina headed in a corner to give Wolves the lead before Matt Doherty sealed the win in added time.

“We made a mistake, we need to blame ourselves. That’s why we didn’t win today, because in the first half we had the chances to score,” Pochettino told reporters.

“In the Premier League if you’re not clinical enough when you have chances, always you can concede. We didn’t compete in the first five minutes of the second half, we conceded too many corners. In these moments it’s about competing better and being stronger.

“I agree we’re our own enemy. I don’t want to take credit away from Wolves. They scored and they did their job. But in the first half we were the better side. And because of lack of capacity to score, we didn’t win the game.”

Chelsea, 10th in the standings, next hosts Crystal Palace on Wednesday before travelling to Luton Town on Saturday.