Chelsea were left frustrated by a 0-0 draw at Wolves that saw them slip further behind in the Premier League title race.

Daniel Podence's first-half finish that was ruled out following a VAR check was as close as the game to a goal with incidents at a minimum in the Molineux fog.

Chelsea pushed and probed for the goal but created very little against a resilient Wolves side and the draw means they are now six points adrift of leaders Manchester City.

The build-up to the game had been overshadowed by Chelsea's failed attempt to get the match postponed because of seven positive Covid-19 cases in the squad.

"It is very hard for us to understand," Thomas Tuchel told Sky Sports before the match. "We are very concerned about the health of the players."

Player ratings

Wolves: Sa (7), Kilman (8), Coady (8), Saiss (7), Hoever (6), Moutinho (7), Neves (7), Dendoncker (6), Marcal (7), Jimenez (6), Podence (7).

Subs: Traore (5)

Chelsea: Mendy (6), Chalobah (6), Silva (8), Rudiger (7), Azpilicueta (7), James (7), Kante (7), Alonso (6), Mount (7), Pulisic (6), Ziyech (6).

Subs: Saul (6), Kovacic (6).

Man of the match: Conor Coady

How the game unfolded

Chelsea were at least able to welcome back N'Golo Kante to the starting line-up but with only four outfield substitutes it was clearly not the ideal preparation for the away side.

Wolves fans were eager to see some action, having been waiting almost a month to see their side score at Molineux, and they thought they had found the breakthrough early on.

Podence slotted home but the celebrations were cut short when it ruled out for offside as a result of Raul Jimenez's attempt to play the ball from Fernando Marcal's cross.

Wolverhampton Wanderers' Joao Moutinho appeals to the referee during the match against Chelsea
Chelsea enjoyed lots of possession in the first half but were unable to penetrate a defence that had conceded just two goals in their previous six Premier League games.

Christian Pulisic came closest before the interval when he stole in behind the back line but was pushed wide by Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa and the threat was averted.

Instead, it was Leander Dendoncker who had the best chance of the half, an unmarked header from Podence's cross that was easily saved by Edouard Mendy in the Chelsea goal.

The second half was a largely turgid affair with the game at an impasse as Chelsea controlled possession and Wolves were content to maintain their defensive shape.

Brilliant interplay did result in Pulisic going through on goal in the 78th minute but his left-footed finish when one-on-one with the goalkeeper was expertly saved by Sa.

It was as close as Chelsea came and while Wolves threw on Adama Traore late on to provide some threat on the break, neither side did enough to take the three points.

For Wolves, it was a job well done. For Chelsea, it was an afternoon of frustration.

What's next?

Wolves host Watford at Molineux on Boxing Day at 3pm while Chelsea are in Carabao Cup quarter-final action on Wednesday as they visit Brentford; kick-off 7.45pm.

Thomas Tuchel's side travel to face Aston Villa on Boxing Day, live on Sky Sports Premier League; kick-off 12.30pm.

Teams

Wolverhampton Wanderers Sa, Kilman, Coady, Saiss, however, Dendoncker, Neves, Moutinho, Marcal, Jimenez (Trincao 89), Podence (Traore 79)
Subs Not Used Jordao, Moulden, Ruddy, Semedo, Cundle, Bueno
Booked
Goals

Chelsea Mendy, Azpilicueta (c), Silva, Rudiger, James, Kante, Chalobah (Saul 46), Alonso, Mount, Ziyech (Kovacic 65), Pulisic
Subs Not Used Kepa, Bettinelli, Sarr, Barkley
Booked Chalobah, Rudiger
Goals

Attendance 30,631

Referee David Coote

VAR Kevin Friend