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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Nizaar Kinsella

Chelsea player ratings: Nicolas Jackson wasteful again but Christopher Nkunku offers hope off the bench

Chelsea will not celebrate this Christmas as Wolves punished their wasteful performance at Molineux Stadium.

Mario Lemina headed in Pablo Sarabia's corner and Matt Doherty seal victory for Gary O'Neil's side in the Midlands. 

Christopher Nkunku tried to save the match from the bench, heading in his goal in stoppage-time, but it was not enough as Chelsea fell to a 2-1 defeat.

Raheem Sterling, Nicolas Jackson and Armando Broja were all guilty of wasting guilt-edged chances. 

Nizaar Kinsella was at Molineux, witnessing the Christmas Eve action...

Mario Lemina headed Wolves in front shortly after half-time (AFP via Getty Images)

Djordje Petrovic - 7

The Serbian performed his shot-stopping and sweeper-keeper duties brilliantly. He couldn't do much about Lemina's header. 

Malo Gusto - 7

He got forward at will as a good attacking outlet, creating a big chance for Broja. 

Axel Disasi - 6

His head was like a magnet for the ball at set pieces, clearing every cross that came in but he made an error to allowing Hee-Chan Hwang a chance. 

Thiago Silva - 7

He blocked a goal-bound Pablo Sarabia shot and marshalled the defence well but did give away a cheap free-kick.

Levi Colwill - 6

A reserved performance, focusing on his defensive duties

Lesley Ugochukwu - 6

A much-improved performance on his last start away at Newcastle. He blocked a Joao Gomes shot but then came off injured. 

Conor Gallagher - 6

He proved a vocal leader on the pitch and threatened goal with long-range shots. 

Cole Palmer - 5

It was a poor display where he was booked for dissent and he will now miss the next game against Crystal Palace.

Raheem Sterling - 6

He was Chelsea's danger man but also guilty of wasting big chances, including a three-on-one while bearing down on Jose Sa's goal. He could have rounded the keeper, lifted his finish or passed it but hit his shot straight at Sa. Even still, he was the best attacker. 

Raheem Sterling wasted a huge first-half chance for Chelsea (AFP via Getty Images)

Nicolas Jackson - 4

A really poor attacking display where the Premier League's most booked player. Also earned a yellow card for dissent. 

Armando Broja - 5

He wasted two good chances early on, one where he was too ponderous when cutting inside and another air shot after a Gusto cross. 

Substitutes

Mykhailo Mudryk - 7

The Ukrainian lifted Chelsea coming on after Wolves scored, linking well with his team-mates. 

Christopher Nkunku - 8

The France international poked a dangerous effort on target soon after coming on and scored a consolation goal in extra time, heading in Raheem Sterling's cross.  

Benoit Badiashile - 4

The defender looked uncomfortable on the ball and gave away a goal with a poor piece of defending.

Noni Madueke - 5

The returning winger blazed his only shot well wide of the goal.

Ian Maatsen - N/A

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