Chelsea suffer second defeat in four days, City draw with West Brom

Even with the return of winger Christian Pulisic – back from his latest injury setback and making just his third start in the league this season – Chelsea struggled to create many clear-cut chances and only went ahead in slightly fortunate circumstances.

Giroud’s volley from a left-wing cross from Ben Chilwell went straight at Rui Patricio – only for the Wolves goalkeeper to carry it inadvertently over his own line. The referee only belatedly awarded the goal after being given a signal on his watch that the ball had crossed the line.

It was Giroud’s seventh goal in his past seven games in all competitions.

Wolves are known for being a team that plays better in the second half and so it proved against Chelsea, with Podence equalising after a fine piece of skill. He produced a couple of feints to leave two Chelsea defenders wrong-footed, before unleashing a shot with little back-lift that took a slight deflection off Reece James and beat Mendy at his near post in the 66th minute.

Chelsea escaped conceding a penalty in the 81st minute after a spot kick was awarded when Neto tumbled under a challenge from James. The decision was overturned after replays showed James didn’t touch Neto.

Neto complained bitterly but had the last laugh with his goal after Chelsea’s players poured forward looking for a winner.

City held by West Brom

Manchester City’s hopes of closing the gap on the Premier League pacesetters were frustrated as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home to lowly West Bromwich Albion in the later game.

City took the lead on the half hour when Raheem Sterling did well to work his way to the byline and pull the ball back to Ilkay Gundogan, who expertly side-footed home.

But West Brom drew level two minutes before the break when a shot on the turn from Semi Ajayi hit City defender Ruben Dias and deflected past wrong-footed goalkeeper Ederson.

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The hosts camped in West Brom’s half throughout most of the second period but Slaven Bilic’s side showed tremendous determination and defensive solidity.

City had late chances though – Kevin de Bruyne went close with a free-kick that West Brom keeper Sam Johnstone did well to reach, while Sergio Aguero blasted wide from a good position.

Johnstone did well again in stoppage time to keep out a close-range Gundogan header and denied another great opportunity for Sterling who headed straight at the keeper.

After 12 games Pep Guardiola’s City are in sixth place, five points behind leaders Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpoo,l who both have 25 points and face each other at Anfield on Thursday (AEDT).

West Brom are second-bottom on seven points.

AP, Reuters