It was a day to forget for Frank Lampard and Chelsea. The former midfielder, in the dugout for the first time since replacing Graham Potter on an interim basis, saw his side lose 1-0 to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.
Matheus Nunes scored the winner after 31 minutes to heap further misery on the Blues, who failed to score for a third successive game. Chelsea remain 11th after just two wins in 11 Premier League games and Lampard must raise the players ahead of next week’s Champions League quarter-final first leg against holders Real Madrid.
"We know we're not in a position we want to be in," Lampard said after the game. "There's always a reason for it, the reality of the league season. I was aware of that and I didn't expect to solve everything in one day."
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With that said, football.london has taken a look at how the national media reacted to the defeat at Wolves.
Daily Express
"Despite a change of face in the dugout, Chelsea were beaten 1-0 by Wolves on Saturday in another unconvincing display by the side. Matheus Nunes scored the all-important goal at the Molineux Stadium, smashing home a thunderous strike in the 31st minute.
"The defeat, as well as results elsewhere, means that the Blues have fallen into the bottom half of the Premier League and are 14 points outside of the top four. Frank Lampard fell victim to similar mistakes being made by the Stamford Bridge outfit, though there was very little that nay of his players could have done to prevent Nunes’ strike nestling into the back of the net.
"Chelsea’s chances of playing European football next season now appear slim, meaning that winning the Champions League may be the only way that Lampard will be able to guide his side to a top competition."
The Guardian
"Chelsea transitioned seamlessly from the Graham Potter era to the second coming of Frank Lampard with defeat at Wolves. Bar a few tactical tweaks and personnel changes, it was the same meek and tired team that has plodded its way to mid-table mediocrity.
"Even Lampard will have shown begrudging respect for Matheus Nunes’s ferocious winner in the first half but little else would have brought enjoyment on his return to the Chelsea dugout.
"The fast-paced and short notice of Lampard’s appointment meant Julen Lopetegui welcomed the now departed “Bruno Saltor and his staff” to Wolverhampton in his programme notes. The caretaker stuck with Kepa Arrizabalaga, a goalkeeper Lampard replaced with the Molineux substitute Édouard Mendy in his first spell as manager, but dispensed with the three central defenders in front of him, selecting a back four instead.
"One of the criticisms of the teams Lampard has managed thus far is that the defences are disorganised and leaky, meaning the opportunity to restart his Chelsea relationship against the joint-lowest scorers in the league seemed ideal. The fairytale enthusiasts among the away fans would have been worried to see Diego Costa start but, without a goal in 18 Wolves appearances, his threat has diminished since leaving Stamford Bridge.
"There were no obvious early signs of the returning manager bounce; Chelsea offered no extra zip or threat, creating no chances of note in the opening half, instead looking like a team low on confidence and ideas. Although Chelsea controlled possession, Wolves did not look perturbed and were dangerous on the break."
BBC
"Frank Lampard made a losing return to the Chelsea hot-seat as Wolverhampton Wanderers eased their Premier League relegation worries with a hard-earned victory.
"Chelsea legend Lampard was predictably given a rapturous reception from the travelling fans at Molineux following his appointment as caretaker manager 27 months after being sacked from the role.
"Yet Chelsea's all-time record goalscorer was unable to arrest the poor form that led to Graham Potter's sacking, as mid-table Blues failed to score for the third successive game en route to an 11th league defeat of the season.
"Wolves were on the front-foot throughout and deserved their win which came after a sweet finish by Matheus Nunes, the Portugal midfielder's first goal for the club since joining from Sporting Lisbon last August."
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