Frank Lampard got off to a losing start on his return as interim Chelsea manager on Saturday, beaten 1-0 at Wolverhampton Wanderers and still outside the top half of the Premier League.
Matheus Nunes scored a 31st minute screamer at Molineux, the Portugal midfielder hitting the ball on the volley from the edge of the box on the right and past Kepa Arrizabalaga into the far corner.
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The victory took some of the relegation heat off Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui with his side, who had captain Ruben Neves serving a two-match suspension, moving up to 12th and four points clear of the drop zone. Chelsea stayed 11th, eight points ahead.
Chelsea legend Lampard’s appointment was announced on Thursday after Graham Potter paid the price for a string of poor results which left the team in mid-table and with a Champions league quarterfinal away leg at Real Madrid looming next Wednesday.
The club’s record goalscorer, himself dismissed as manager in January 2021, drew a warm reception from the travelling fans as he arrived for his first match in charge.
Lampard also got a clear picture of the task he faces over the eight remaining games, with a tame Chelsea failing to find the net for a third game in a row.
Chelsea, still without the injured Mason Mount, had only one shot on target in the first half and, while looking livelier after the break, were unable to make their passing and possession count.
They had no shots on target in the second half and have played more games (30) than goals scored (29). They have only four wins from their last 21 games.
The goal was Nunes’ first in the league sincethe club’s record signing joined fromSporting in August last year.
“I thought the performance in the first half was 70% or so,” said Lampard, who started with Raheem Sterling and Conor Gallagher and brought on the little-used Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as a second half substitute.
“It was enough for it to be an even game and there was a rocket from them out of nowhere. In the second half there was more energy, more chances and we got more people in the box.
“There has been a lot of change and that’s not an excuse but things need to improve and I think that performance summed it up. I have to get an understanding of it. You have to get used to winning and make it a habit. Credit to Wolves today, they were physical and stuck in for a win.”