Chelsea said goodbye to the Premier League with a clear victory against Wolverhampton (2-0) that allows them to play in the next edition of the Champions League. So, Frank Lampard's men closed the course with a creditable fourth place and waiting for the one that comes with a lot of 'hype' after the confirmed signings of Ziyech and Werner. On the negative side, Kepa's substitution that, once again, confirmed that he is going through a very delicate moment in London. Willy Caballero was his substitute but he hardly had a job.
For their part, the Wolves will have to wait for the result of the F.A Cup to know if they are from Europe or not. A 'blue' victory against Arsenal in the final would confirm this, otherwise they would stay on the doorstep in a historic but useless seventh place.
According to what the poster announced, Chelsea – Wolverhampton should have been one of the best matches of the day, even more so with the European aspirations at stake. However, both teams did not want to resemble any of their best versions and offered a rather poor and cold first part.
Only the sometimes extreme hard play of the Wolves gave Chelsea the opportunity to get ahead through the set piece. And so did Mason Mount in 45 '. The very young youth squad player aprove blue ’took advantage of the gift in the form of a foul on the balcony of the area to delicately put the ball where the goalkeepers never reach. Until then, little or nothing had to be taken to the mouth. Not even shots on goal.
But, as always, the goal shook the game and, wanting more, Chelsea returned to hit in an added time that became a world for Nuno's. Ball rejected by the ‘blue’ defense that ended in Giroud's goal – the smartest of all – after a counterattack led by Mount and Pulisic. 2-0.
So, in less than five minutes, Chelsea had started a game that, by no means, deserved to win. Neither did Wolverhampton, who, however, was seen from one moment to the next against the ropes and on the verge of K.O.
In the second half, the Wolverhamptom improved
After passing through the changing rooms, those of Nuno Espirito Santo gave another more recognizable version. The Portuguese coach introduced players like Adama or Moutinho to the pitch and his team's game took a bit more of a bite. Diego Jota and Raúl Jiménez began to receive balls and tried, although without disturbing the London defense too much.
Wolverhampton did not want to lose face in the game but the truth is that, with the passage of minutes, the two teams were already thinking about their most immediate commitments: Europa League for the Wolves and F.A Cup for those of Lampard. The Premier was already over.