Wolves defeat Chelsea on Lampard’s return

Matheus Nunes’ stunning volley moved Wolves four points clear of the relegation zone as Frank Lampard’s reign as Chelsea caretaker manager started in disappointing fashion with a 1-0 defeat.

Lampard, who was sacked by the club’s former owner Roman Abramovich in January 2021, returned to Chelsea where he will remain for the rest of the season but was unable to solve their attacking problems at Molineux on Saturday, April 8.

Nunes lit up what had been a low-quality first half with a sensational strike from inside the box which found the top corner for his first Premier League goal since joining for a club-record deal of £42.2 million.

Chelsea, on their third manager this season following Graham Potter’s exit and Thomas Tuchel’s sacking in September, remain 11th after a fourth consecutive game without a win.

Wolves are at home again for their next fixture against Brentford on Saturday, April 15.

Chelsea, on the other hand, head to Real Madrid on Wednesday, April 12, for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie.

The Blues return to league action at home to Brighton on Saturday, April 15, 2023.

Meanwhile, third-placed Newcastle are above Manchester United on goal difference after a 2-1 success at Brentford made it five consecutive wins for the Magpies.

Ivan Toney’s weak 29th-minute penalty was saved by Nick Pope, the Brentford forward’s first miss from the spot since 2018.

Toney made amends when VAR ruled Alexander Isak’s challenge on Rico Henry was worthy of a 45th-minute penalty and this time the England striker made no mistake with his spot-kick.

But Newcastle equalised through David Raya’s 54th-minute own goal as Joelinton’s chip went in off the Brentford goalkeeper.

Isak, however, put Newcastle in front after 61 minutes with a blistering finish from the edge of the area.

Tottenham are three points behind Newcastle after beating Brighton 2-1 in north London.

Son Heung-min has endured a below-par season but the South Korea forward put Tottenham ahead with a superb long-range curler into the top corner after 10 minutes.

It took Son’s Premier League tally to 100 goals, making him the first Asian player to reach that landmark.

Lewis Dunk headed Brighton’s equaliser from Solly March’s corner in the 34th minute.

Cristian Stellini, still in charge of Tottenham after Antonio Conte’s recent departure, and Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi were both sent off after a touchline spat in the second half.

But Harry Kane, Tottenham’s record goalscorer, lashed home the winner in the 79th minute.

Aston Villa climbed to sixth place as their Unai Emery-inspired revival gathered pace with a 2-0 home win against third-bottom Nottingham Forest.

Bertrand Traore gave Villa the lead in the 48th minute and Ollie Watkins got the second in the final moments to leave Forest without a win in nine games as the pressure mounts on boss Steve Cooper.

West Ham boosted their survival bid as Harrison Reed’s 23rd-minute own goal sealed a 1-0 win at Fulham.

Bournemouth rose out of the relegation zone thanks to a 1-0 win at second-bottom Leicester, who were booed off after Philip Billing punished James Maddison’s sloppy back-pass in the 40th minute.

The Star

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