Chelsea’s development squad remain unbeaten after coming from behind to seal a point against Wolves in PL2.
Charlie Brown had a early opportunity to give the Blues the lead but could only watch as he dragged his shot wide of the target - and all the action took place in the first half and a defensive error gifted Wolves their goal, Marc Guehi headed beyond Ziger and the hosts had the lead after 16 minutes.
Tino Livramento made sure it didn’t last long however, he pounced on a loose ball and finished beyond his years to draw us level. As the game wore on, Brown had the best chance to steal the points but the Wolves ‘keeper made sure his team left with a something after a wonderful save meant there was a point each at the end of 90 minutes.
Andy Myers introduced Ian Maatsen back into the side after international his duty at the Under-17 World Cup in Brazil, meanwhile Billy Gilmour slotted into midfield alongside George McEachran. Birthday boy George Nunn started on the opposite wing to Livramento who recently signed his first professional contract at the club and Brown led the line.
Wolves had the first sight of goal, Elliot Watt’s speculative attempt found the netting behind Karlo Ziger’s frame - Chelsea looked to get a foothold in the game but were happy to bide their time with the majority of possession.
Chelsea's attack had been limited but our first meaningful effort came from PL2 danger man Brown - his run was expertly picked out by the returning Gilmour but Wolves ‘keeper Andreas Sondergaard closed down the angle as the number nine dragged his shot wide.
Despite a comfortable start the early opportunity proved costly as the Blues found themselves behind moments after the first quarter – a second of miscommunication at the back saw captain Guehi head into his own net as Ziger attempted to come and collect the ball. 1-0 Wolves.
Thankfully the deficit was short lived and there was more reason for Livramento celebrations. Just 24 hours after turning professional he impressively equalised for the Blues two minutes after the half hour mark. To begin with the 17-year-old intercepted a midfield pass which dropped to Brown – he returned the favour finding the run of Livramento who coolly found the target underneath the dive of Sondergaard.
Experienced winger Jordan Graham tried to immediately restore Wolves’ lead when he got hold of possession on the left-wing. The forward advanced into the box but fired wide as Ziger made himself big enough to close the angel.
A well rehearsed Chelsea free-kick routine saw Gilmour find Guehi at the back post, he headed back across goal for Jon Russell to tap home but weak connection saw his strike drop wide of the target. The chance went begging as the Blues looked double their tally but it was level at the break, 1-1.
Clinton Mola was introduced by Myers after 53 minutes, he replaced Jon Russell in a similar midfield swap. There was a flat restart to the game with little goalmouth action to report until Brown was superbly denied Sondergaard. As always, Lamptey had been lively on the right and his whipped cross found the head of Brown who did everything right with his attempt but the Wolves number one was there to bat the ball away before Dion Sanderson cleared the danger. Chelsea were on the hunt for a late winner.
Lamptey continued to take advantage of tired legs as he attacked Wolves’ defence, his low centre evaded all in white and kissed the far post as it trickled out of play, just seven minutes remained for the Blues to find the goal they were searching for.
It wasn’t to be however, as the last piece of action saw Livramento denied by Wolves bodies on two occasions, the points were shared in Wolves and the Blues remain unbeaten in PL2.
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Karlo Ziger, Tariq Lamptey, Marc Guehi (c), Jack Wakely, Ian Maatsen; Billy Gilmour, George McEachran; Tino Livramento, Jon Russell (Clinton Mola 53), George Nunn (Marcel Lewis 60); Charlie BrownUnused subs: Jake Askew, Marcel Lavinier, Dynel SimeuScorer: Livramento 32
Wolves: Andreas Sondergaard, Daniel Csoka, Dion Sanderson Christian Marques, Oscar Buur (Callum Thompson HT), Lewis Richards, Elliot Watt, Terry Taylor, Chem Campbell (Luke Cundle 75), Jordan Graham (Zhenyu He 86), Benny Ashley-SealUnused subs: Wai-Tsun Dai, Austin SamuelsScorer: Guehi og (16)Booked: Watt (40), Richards (70)
Referee: Simon Mather