Chelsea 1 vs 1 Wolves: Eden Hazard rescues point for Maurizio Sarri

Eden Hazard struck a dramatic added-time equaliser to save Chelsea after a 1-1 draw with Wolves at Stamford Bridge.

Raul Jimenez had given the visitors an unlikely lead 10 minutes into the second half but up stepped Hazard in the dying moments to grab a crucial point in the Blues’ efforts to qualify for the Champions League.

Maurizio Sarri made three changes from the Europa League victory over Dynamo Kiev with Eden Hazard fresh to start after being handed a rest.

But the Blues looked laboured in their build-up as they were frustrated by a resilient Wolves back five.

One positive note was the improving link-up between Gonzalo Higuain and Jorginho, with the latter floating a decent balls over the top for the striker to latch onto but his shot was tipped away by Rui Patricio.

The Blues dominated the play with 77 per cent possession but could not find a way through and were nearly made to pay for over-committing.

Ruben Neves picked up the ball in midfield after some excellent work from Raul Jimenez and the Portuguese played a superb diagonal into the feet of Diogo Jota. The forward looked to be in but controlled it with his hand, much to his frustration.

That’s about as close as either side came to scoring in a fairly uneventful half.

But things soon took a turn after the break and Chelsea felt they should have a penalty when Matt Doherty, already on a booking, tugged back Hazard in the area. However, the contact did begin outside the box and the free-kick was correctly awarded, although the Wolves defender was fortunate to escape a second booking.

Wolves then took the lead against the run of play. Raul Jimenez and Diogo Jota combined on the counter and the latter slid the Mexican in behind Antonio Rudiger to bundle past Kepa Arrizabalaga, aided by a deflection from Cesar Azpilicueta.

Higuain was then guilty of missing two chances to get the Blues level, the worst being an airshot from two yards out with the goal at his mercy.

Sarri threw on 18-year-old Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ruben Loftus-Cheek in search of an equaliser, but the Blues struggled to create any chances of note as the fans grew frustrated – but up stepped Hazard to save Chelsea like he has done time and time again, surging past Gibbs-White to smash home from 20 yards into the far corner.