Wolverhampton Wanderers continued their stellar home form to heap misery on Chelsea on Christmas eve with a 2-1 win in the Premier League on Sunday, thanks to second-half strikes from Mario Lemina and Matt Doherty.

After a goalless first half, Lemina headed in a Pablo Sarabia corner six minutes after halftime to give Wolves the lead before Doherty secured the win with a second goal in added time while Christopher Nkunku scored his first goal for Chelsea.

Wolves, who are unbeaten at home in the league since September, moved up to 11th with 22 points, level with 10th-placed Chelsea but trailing the London side on goal difference.

Chelsea have now lost four away games in a row as Mauricio Pochettino's side fell to their eighth league defeat of the season.

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"We feel very disappointed because we deserve much more. We are not clinical enough. We created chances and had the possession," Pochettino said.

"It is a young team and many players are in the Premier League for the first time. They need to adapt. We need to learn from these games. We are in a position Chelsea should not be in."

Chelsea's best chance of the first half fell to Raheem Sterling who stole the ball from last man Joao Gomes and sprinted into the Wolves box with only the keeper Jose Sa to beat.

Sterling went for the finish himself despite having two team mates including Cole Palmer unmarked to his right. The shot was blocked by Sa, laying waste to the three-on-one opportunity.

Chelsea paid for their wastefulness six minutes after halftime when Lemina was left poorly marked and his header from Pablo Sarabia's corner sailed into the net.

"It's amazing, the support we have here is fantastic. I hope we can keep pushing on and making the fans happy," Lemina told Sky Sports.

Wolves doubled their lead when Benoit Badiashile failed to deal with Hugo Bueno's cross and an unmarked Matt Doherty guided his shot past Chelsea keeper Djordje Petrovic.

"(The second goal was) very important because they nicked a goal at the end. I tend to have a knack over my career of being in the right place at the right time and I slotted it away," Doherty said.

"The kind of atmosphere that's generated around the stadium. Our record against top six teams is good. We've beaten most of them here and away. We're doing really well."

Christopher Nkunku netted a consolation goal for Chelsea, his first for the London club since his close-season move, but they could not find an equaliser.

Wolverhampton Wanderers continued their stellar home form to heap misery on Chelsea on Christmas eve with a 2-1 win in the Premier League on Sunday, thanks to second-half strikes from Mario Lemina and Matt Doherty.

Wolverhampton Wanderers continued their stellar home form to heap misery on Chelsea on Christmas eve with a 2-1 win in the Premier League on Sunday, thanks to second-half strikes from Mario Lemina and Matt Doherty. After a goalless first half, Lemina headed in a Pablo Sarabia corner six minutes after halftime to give Wolves the lead before Doherty secured the win with a second goal in added time while Christopher Nkunku scored his first goal for Chelsea. Wolves, who are unbeaten at home in the league since September, moved up to 11th with 22 points, level with 10th-placed Chelsea but trailing the London side on goal difference. Chelsea have now lost four away games in a row as Mauricio Pochettino's side fell to their eighth league defeat of the season. ALSO READ: British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe to buy 25% stake in Manchester United, pledges to invest $300 million "We feel very disappointed because we deserve much more. We are not clinical enough. We created chances and had the possession," Pochettino said. "It is a young team and many players are in the Premier League for the first time. They need to adapt. We need to learn from these games. We are in a position Chelsea should not be in." Chelsea's best chance of the first half fell to Raheem Sterling who stole the ball from last man Joao Gomes and sprinted into the Wolves box with only the keeper Jose Sa to beat. Sterling went for the finish himself despite having two team mates including Cole Palmer unmarked to his right. The shot was blocked by Sa, laying waste to the three-on-one opportunity. Chelsea paid for their wastefulness six minutes after halftime when Lemina was left poorly marked and his header from Pablo Sarabia's corner sailed into the net. "It's amazing, the support we have here is fantastic. I hope we can keep pushing on and making the fans happy," Lemina told Sky Sports. Wolves doubled their lead when Benoit Badiashile failed to deal with Hugo Bueno's cross and an unmarked Matt Doherty guided his shot past Chelsea keeper Djordje Petrovic. "(The second goal was) very important because they nicked a goal at the end. I tend to have a knack over my career of being in the right place at the right time and I slotted it away," Doherty said. "The kind of atmosphere that's generated around the stadium. Our record against top six teams is good. We've beaten most of them here and away. We're doing really well." Christopher Nkunku netted a consolation goal for Chelsea, his first for the London club since his close-season move, but they could not find an equaliser.

Wolves down Chelsea 2-1 on Christmas Eve as Blues suffer 4th away loss in row

Covid-hit Chelsea were held to a goalless draw by Wolves on Sunday after the Premier League rejected their request to postpone the game as Manchester City put struggling Newcastle to the sword.

Just four games were left on the schedule this weekend out of the original 10 as Britain's worsening coronavirus crisis took its toll on the Premier League.

Clubs will meet on Monday to discuss what action to take, with growing questions over the integrity of the competition as the busy festive period looms.

Stumbling Chelsea, who have struggled with illness and injuries in recent weeks, were only able to name four outfield players on the bench for their match at Molineux.

The visitors, who have now won just two of their past six league games, enjoyed the bulk of possession but mustered just one shot on target and are now six points behind leaders City.

Thomas Tuchel was without Romelu Lukaku, Timo Werner and Callum Hudson-Odoi, who have all tested positive for Covid-19. Jorginho, Kai Havertz and Ruben Loftus-Cheek were also not in the squad.

Chelsea earlier confirmed that their request to have the game called off been turned down.

The European champions' request is understood to have been rejected because the Blues were deemed to have had enough players to fulfil the fixture according to Premier League regulations.

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"We did ask to postpone the game," Tuchel confirmed before kick-off.

"We thought we had a strong case regarding the security and the health of the players.

"We have seven positive cases and every single day we've had another positive case coming in. We travelled together for three hours on the bus, we are in meetings together, we have lunch and dinners together. The situation does not feel like it will stop."

<h2>Newcastle calamity</h2>

Defending champions City crushed Newcastle 4-0 to confirm their position at the top of the table at Christmas.

Eddie Howe's side shot themselves in the foot in just the fifth minute, when calamitous defending handed City the lead after goalkeeper Martin Dubravka had carelessly conceded a corner.

The defence only half-cleared and Joao Cancelo hooked the ball back into the six-yard box. Newcastle appeared to be in little danger but Ciaran Clark inexplicably chose not to make a simple headed clearance and Ruben Dias headed the loose ball into the net.

The home side rallied and Joelinton went close to equalising with a stinging shot from distance that flew just wide of Ederson's right-hand post.

But City silenced the passionate crowd at St James's Park shortly before the half-hour, when Cancelo jinked his way past Joe Willock and Isaac Hayden before smashing a right-footed shot past the helpless Dubravka from the edge of the area.

City maintained their firm grip on the match in the second half, with Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling doubling their lead.

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Pep Guardiola's City have now won eight league games in a row to move four points clear of second-placed Liverpool, who are in action at Tottenham later on Sunday.

But relegation-threated Newcastle remain three points from safety having now played two games more than Watford, who are just outside the drop zone.

The Magpies' wealthy new Saudi-backed owners have indicated they will invest significantly in the squad but before the January transfer window opens they have fixtures against Manchester United and Everton.

Liverpool's preparations for their Premier League visit to Spurs were hit after Thiago Alcantara became the latest of Jurgen Klopp's players to return a suspected positive test for Covid.

Covid-hit Chelsea were held to a goalless draw by Wolves on Sunday after the Premier League rejected their request to postpone the game as Manchester City put struggling Newcastle to the sword.

Covid-hit Chelsea were held to a goalless draw by Wolves on Sunday after the Premier League rejected their request to postpone the game as Manchester City put struggling Newcastle to the sword. Just four games were left on the schedule this weekend out of the original 10 as Britain's worsening coronavirus crisis took its toll on the Premier League. Clubs will meet on Monday to discuss what action to take, with growing questions over the integrity of the competition as the busy festive period looms. Stumbling Chelsea, who have struggled with illness and injuries in recent weeks, were only able to name four outfield players on the bench for their match at Molineux. The visitors, who have now won just two of their past six league games, enjoyed the bulk of possession but mustered just one shot on target and are now six points behind leaders City. Thomas Tuchel was without Romelu Lukaku, Timo Werner and Callum Hudson-Odoi, who have all tested positive for Covid-19. Jorginho, Kai Havertz and Ruben Loftus-Cheek were also not in the squad. Chelsea earlier confirmed that their request to have the game called off been turned down. The European champions' request is understood to have been rejected because the Blues were deemed to have had enough players to fulfil the fixture according to Premier League regulations. ALSO READ: Premier League rejected Chelsea request to postpone Wolves game, says Boss Thomas Tuchel "We did ask to postpone the game," Tuchel confirmed before kick-off. "We thought we had a strong case regarding the security and the health of the players. "We have seven positive cases and every single day we've had another positive case coming in. We travelled together for three hours on the bus, we are in meetings together, we have lunch and dinners together. The situation does not feel like it will stop." Newcastle calamity Defending champions City crushed Newcastle 4-0 to confirm their position at the top of the table at Christmas. Eddie Howe's side shot themselves in the foot in just the fifth minute, when calamitous defending handed City the lead after goalkeeper Martin Dubravka had carelessly conceded a corner. The defence only half-cleared and Joao Cancelo hooked the ball back into the six-yard box. Newcastle appeared to be in little danger but Ciaran Clark inexplicably chose not to make a simple headed clearance and Ruben Dias headed the loose ball into the net. The home side rallied and Joelinton went close to equalising with a stinging shot from distance that flew just wide of Ederson's right-hand post. But City silenced the passionate crowd at St James's Park shortly before the half-hour, when Cancelo jinked his way past Joe Willock and Isaac Hayden before smashing a right-footed shot past the helpless Dubravka from the edge of the area. City maintained their firm grip on the match in the second half, with Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling doubling their lead. ALSO READ: Premier League: Gabriel Martinelli strikes twice as Arsenal hammer Leeds United 4-1 Pep Guardiola's City have now won eight league games in a row to move four points clear of second-placed Liverpool, who are in action at Tottenham later on Sunday. But relegation-threated Newcastle remain three points from safety having now played two games more than Watford, who are just outside the drop zone. The Magpies' wealthy new Saudi-backed owners have indicated they will invest significantly in the squad but before the January transfer window opens they have fixtures against Manchester United and Everton. Liverpool's preparations for their Premier League visit to Spurs were hit after Thiago Alcantara became the latest of Jurgen Klopp's players to return a suspected positive test for Covid.

Premier League: Covid-hit Chelsea held by Wolves, Man City crush Newcastle United 4-0 to stay at top

Chelsea are angry and disappointed after their request to postpone Sunday's game at Wolverhampton Wanderers was rejected by the Premier League, manager Thomas Tuchel said.

Chelsea have seven COVID-19 cases in their camp, including Romelu Lukaku, Timo Werner and Callum Hudson-Odoi.

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"We thought we had a strong case regarding the security and health of players," Tuchel said. "We have seven COVID-19 positive cases, every day positive cases are coming in.

"We were made to be in the bus and travel together for three hours, we were in meetings together, in dinner and lunch and the situation does not feel like it will stop if we keep on doing this," Tuchel added.

"We applied for not playing. It was rejected... it is very hard to understand it, we are concerned about the health of the players."

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Chelsea will have only six players instead of eight on the substitutes'&nbsp;bench against Wolves.

"We are disappointed, a bit angry but this does not make us less competitive," Tuchel said. "I have trust in my players and myself."

Chelsea are angry and disappointed after their request to postpone Sunday's game at Wolverhampton Wanderers was rejected by the Premier League, manager Thomas Tuchel said.

Chelsea are angry and disappointed after their request to postpone Sunday's game at Wolverhampton Wanderers was rejected by the Premier League, manager Thomas Tuchel said. Chelsea have seven COVID-19 cases in their camp, including Romelu Lukaku, Timo Werner and Callum Hudson-Odoi. ALSO READ: Police make one arrest after Arsenal report Leeds fan for racist abuse during Premier League clash "We thought we had a strong case regarding the security and health of players," Tuchel said. "We have seven COVID-19 positive cases, every day positive cases are coming in. "We were made to be in the bus and travel together for three hours, we were in meetings together, in dinner and lunch and the situation does not feel like it will stop if we keep on doing this," Tuchel added. "We applied for not playing. It was rejected... it is very hard to understand it, we are concerned about the health of the players." ALSO READ: Premier League: Gabriel Martinelli strikes twice as Arsenal hammer Leeds United 4-1 Chelsea will have only six players instead of eight on the substitutes' bench against Wolves. "We are disappointed, a bit angry but this does not make us less competitive," Tuchel said. "I have trust in my players and myself."

Premier League rejected Chelsea request to postpone Wolves game, says Boss Thomas Tuchel