Maurizio Sarri rues costly 'mistakes' as Chelsea slip up in top-four race

Frustration: Chelsea could only muster a 1-1 draw against Wolves.
AFP/Getty Images
Joe Krishnan10 March 2019

Maurizio Sarri says Chelsea's defensive mistakes cost them a "deserved" victory over Wolves after a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.

Raul Jimenez scored with Wolves' first attempt on goal 10 minutes into the second half after some shoddy defending from the hosts, before Eden Hazard's superb equaliser in added time rescued a point for Sarri's side.

Chelsea are now unbeaten in their last four games but, with Tottenham losing to Southampton on Saturday, it represents a missed opportunity for the Blues to close in on their top-four rivals.

And Sarri could not hide his frustration after seeing his side miss the chance to climb back into the top four of the Premier League.

"We made a lot of mistakes but we deserved to win," Sarri told reporters.

In Pictures | Chelsea vs Wolves | 10/03/2019

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"We conceded with the first and last situation inside our box, which was unlucky, but on the other hand we need to improve at attacking.

"Today we needed to move the ball faster, we needed more movement without the ball. We played at five touches, so if there are no spaces, it is difficult to play with five or six touches."

Things were looking bleak for the west London side until Belgian playmaker Eden Hazard popped up with a brilliant equaliser in stoppage time, with his long-range strike beating Rui Patricio to finally breach the Wolves goal.

The 28-year-old, while frustrated with the result, believes Chelsea's fighting spirit was evident and claims they might have lost the game earlier in the season.

Eden Hazard's 13th goal of the season rescued Chelsea a point at home to Wolves.
REUTERS

"Of course we are disappointed," he told Sky Sports. "We didn't create a lot of chances and we moved the ball too slowly.

"This type of game, maybe three months ago we'd have lost.

"The spirit is good. When we lost 6-0 to Manchester City, we said there were three or four months left and we have to try and finish in the top four.

"The players are a bit sad because we probably could do better."

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