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Coady Grabs Dramatic Late Point As Chelsea Implode  (Sky Sports)

Chelsea 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers 2

Conor CoadyWolves came from two goals down to snatch a dramatic point at Chelsea as Conor Coady's 97th-minute header secured a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge in front of prospective new owner Todd Boehly.

Romelu Lukaku scored two goals in three minutes (pen 56, 58) as Chelsea looked to have marked their new era with a morale-boosting win, but the contest unravelled for the hosts after inspired substitutions from Wolves goalkeeper coach Tony Roberts, standing in for the absent head coach Bruno Lage.

Boehly watched on with delight at that point, an hour into this lively encounter, but Wolves showed their battling qualities as Trincao reduced the deficit with a well-taken finish (79) before captain Coady met Chiquinho's cross with virtually the last kick of the game to ensure the points were shared.

The result means that Chelsea remain third on 67 points, four points ahead of Arsenal who have a game in hand, and six points ahead of Tottenham in fifth. Wolves ended a run of four defeats in five games by consolidating their position in eighth, two points off West Ham and a Europa Conference League berth.

Player ratings

Chelsea: Mendy (6), Azpilicueta (6), Thiago Silva (6), Rudiger (5), Alonso (5), James (5), Kovacic (6), Loftus-Cheek (7), Pulisic (7), Werner (7), Lukaku (8).

Subs: Saul (5), Havertz (n/a), Sarr (n/a).

Wolves: Sa (6), Ait-Nouri (6), Boly (6), Saiss (6), Coady (7), Jonny (6), Dendoncker (6), Neves (5), Moutinho (6), Neto (7), Jimenez (6).

Subs: Trincao (8), Chiquinho (8), Hwang (7).

Man of the match: Romelu Lukaku.

How Wolves' changes inspired comeback

Roberts said: "The dressing room is positive. To come here and to hold the European champions, the FA Cup finalists, and to go two goals behind, it's unbelievable. The boys are disappointed we've not won it. We've been to Man Utd and Tottenham and won but we feel we should have had all three here but for a mad five minutes.

"We've been through a bad patch but we spoke during the week about the strength and the spirit of the group. To go until the 96th minute shows how strong they are. We want to collect as many points as we can to qualify for Europe.

"Bruno was watching at the training ground and he was making the decisions. He thought about bringing on pace, power and athleticism. Chiquinho just runs at people and causes problems and we know about the quality of Trincao's finishing The subs were massive for us in getting the point."

Chelsea have now won just two of their last seven Premier League matches. Before next Saturday's FA Cup final against Liverpool at Wembley, they must hope they can build some momentum against Leeds at Elland Road on Wednesday.

Here, this draw will have felt like a defeat but a 2-0 win certainly would've embarrassed them.

Writing in his programme notes, Thomas Tuchel admitted his side's recent dip meant they were now in a fight for third place. The German was frank, telling his players to "be more exhausted after games" having seen a drop-off in physical input during recent defeats to Arsenal and Everton.

Lukaku would be integral to this, spearheading the side in only his second Premier League start since the middle of February. It was his strike partner Timo Werner who had the game's first opportunity on nine minutes as he drew a smart save from Jose Sa low to his right having been found by Mateo Kovacic.

Lukaku would end the half with three chances of his own, however, first seeing a deflected shot loop up into the gloves of Sa while he also rolled Romain Saiss of the stroke of the break to shoot tamely at the Wolves goalkeeper.

But it was in between those two chances that Chelsea thought they had found the breakthrough - and Lukaku really ought to have made no mistake. On 38 minutes, Thiago Silva flicked on Marcos Alonso's corner and after Antonio Rudiger air shot from point blank range, the ball ricocheted back to Lukaku.

Unable to readjust his feet quick enough, his touch on to Loftus-Cheek was gleefully swept home by the reinvigorated midfielder - but his celebrations were cut short after VAR Jarred Gillett informed referee Peter Bankes of the close offside call.

In truth, the lead would've flattered the hosts. Wolves had the clear openings with Saiss heading over Pedro Neto's free-kick on 24 minutes before both Leander Dendoncker and Rayan Ait-Nouri both blazed over on the stroke of half-time.

Dendonker in particular should have done better as he lifted his shot off target after Edouard Mendy had initially saved Neto's attempt following a menacing run from halfway that bamboozled Silva.

The game turned on another contentious VAR decision to award Chelsea a penalty on 56 minutes. Saiss tangled with Lukaku inside the box, and after Bankes deemed it to be a coming together, he was advised to check his monitor by Gillett before the spot-kick was awarded.

Lukaku sent Sa the wrong way, and barely two minutes later, he doubled his tally for the afternoon to become Chelsea's leading scorer this season on 14 goals, collecting Christian Pulisic's pass after a mix-up between Coady and Ruben Neves to spear a first-time shot low into the corner.

You sensed that would be it, but Wolves roared back in style - galvanised by Roberts' three substitutions. Hee-Chan Hwang had already passed up a glorious chance when his shot from close range was smothered by Mendy but Trincao would make no mistake with 11 minutes remaining.

Fellow substitute Chiquinho laid the ball in his path but the 22-year-old still had plenty to do as Rudiger collided into Kovacic to invite the shot which flashed beyond the static Mendy.

Wolves sensed blood, Trincao dragging another chance wide albeit courtesy of a deflection off Silva. But Tuchel would lament his side's latest defensive shortcomings deep into stoppage time as Chiquinho's cross was met by Coady's bullet header to send the visiting supporters home beaming with delight.

What's next?

Chelsea's next challenge is a trip to Leeds United on Wednesday night, which is live on Sky Sports Premier League; kick-off 7.30pm. The Blues then have the FA Cup final with Liverpool three days later before ending the season with two straight home league games against Leicester City and Watford.

Wolves now turn their attention to hosting title-chasing Manchester City on Wednesday night, which is live on Sky Sports Premier League; kick-off 8.15pm. Bruno Lage's side host Norwich on May 15 before going to Liverpool on the final day of the season seven days later.

Click Here For Official Team Sheet

Teams


Chelsea Mendy, Azpilicueta (c) (Sarr 87), Silva, Rudiger, James, Kovacic, Loftus-Cheek, Alonso (Saul 46), Pulisic, Lukaku (Havertz 90+1), Werner
Subs Not Used Kepa, Chalobah, Christensen, Barkley, Mount, Ziyech
Booked Azpilicueta
Goals Lukaku 56 (pen), 58

Wolverhampton Wanderers Sa, Saiss (Chiquinho 71), Coady (c), Boly, Nouri, Dendoncker, Neves (Trincao 77), Moutinho, Jonny, Jimenez, Neto (Hwang 70)
Subs Not Used Ruddy, Gomes, Cundle, Hoever, Marcal, Silva
Booked Saiss, Neto, Moutinho
Goals Trincao 79, Coady 90+7

Attendance 32,190

Referee Peter Bankes

VAR Jarred Gillett