Interim Chelsea boss Frank Lampard suffered a Premier League defeat in his first match back in charge of the Blues, failing to break down a relegation-threatened Wolverhampton Wanderers side at Molineux Stadium.Chelsea have been criticised heavily for their lack of cutting edge, and following a 0-0 draw with Liverpool last time out, that worrying trend continued from the off. The opening half-hour was short on goalmouth action as Wolves went toe-to-toe with the underperforming Blues, before Matheus Nunes handed them the lead in style. A partially-cleared bouncing ball dropped the way of the Portuguese international, who struck it firmly across the face of goal and into the top corner. Starting against his former team, Diego Costa came close to adding a second before halftime, but his close-range shot was stifled by Kepa Arrizabalaga.Wolverhampton vs chelsea 1-0 Nunes pic.twitter.com/bij9rAoH0n— جَعْفَر🇺🇸 (@starboijnr) April 8, 2023 A much-improved attacking display was needed from visitors, who ramped up the pressure in search of an equaliser after the break. Chelsea’s bright spark has so often been João Félix in recent weeks, and the on-loan forward was involved once again as referee Peter Bankes waved away his penalty appeals. Hoping to build on their narrow lead, Wolves looked to hit the Blues on the counter, but a promising breakaway led by Matheus Cunha eventually came to nothing. Lampard made several alterations as time ticked away, but despite racking up 13 shots, the away side struggled to create presentable goal scoring opportunities.United back to winning days with a comfortable 2-0 win over EvertonJulen Lopetegui’s Wolves remained well-organised, seeing out a potentially pivotal victory that lifts them to 12th in the Premier League, four points clear of a congested relegation zone. Chelsea ultimately came up short yet again, leaving them languishing in midtable with seemingly little to play for.Elsewhere, Newcastle United maintained their push for continental qualification with a 2-1 come-from-behind victory at Brentford, extending their winning run in the Premier League to five matches.The Magpies have their sights firmly set on a first Champions League campaign since 2002-03, but they knew they would be in for a stern challenge against a Bees side who have one of the best home records in the Premier League this season. Brentford’s inspirational captain Pontus Jansson was heavily involved in the early stages, as he saw his header cleared off the line by Nick Pope, before Ivan Toney poked home from close range, however the goal was ruled out for offside after a lengthy VAR check.The Swede then saw his headed effort go just over the crossbar, before his afternoon was ended prematurely a couple of minutes later when he was forced off through injury. This didn’t deter the hosts though, and with the half-hour mark approaching they were awarded a penalty when Kevin Schade was brought down by Sven Botman. Toney has been described by manager Thomas Frank as the best penalty taker in the world, however Pope was equal to his effort on this occasion. The in-form striker was then handed a second opportunity to score from the spot with halftime approaching when Rico Henry was brought down by Alexander Isak, and this time he made no mistake to give the hosts a 1-0 lead at the break.GOAL! Brentford 1-0 Newcastle (Toney) #BRENEW pic.twitter.com/jMbcioB5XA— The Premier League Club (@TPLCSports) April 8, 2023 Eddie Howe will have demanded a much better showing from his side in the second half, and in the space of 15 minutes after the restart he got exactly that. Joelinton drew the Magpies level when his shot from a tight angle went in off David Raya, before Callum Wilson, who had been brought on as a halftime substitute, laid the ball back to Isak whose first-time effort flew into the top right corner to complete the comeback.GOAL | Brentford 1-1 NewcastleJoelinton 🇧🇷pic.twitter.com/IeyFBRh2Mc— VAR Tático (@vartatico) April 8, 2023 ISAK PUTS NEWCASTLE AHEAD WHAT A GOAL 🔥🇸🇪 #NUFC #Newcastle pic.twitter.com/X8ZpAp78Di— Alfonso Leocádio (@alfonso_leocad) April 8, 2023 Wilson had a goal of his own ruled out for handball, but it proved not of much importance as the Magpies held on to collect yet another three points which ensures they stay third, with the Bees remaining ninth.Meanwhile, Harry Kane struck the winner as Champions League-chasing Tottenham Hotspur rode their luck to beat fellow European hopefuls Brighton & Hove Albion in North London – Spurs’ fifth consecutive home victory in the Premier League.A confident Brighton side began the contest on the front foot, but the hosts drew first blood thanks to Son Heung-min’s sensational 10th-minute strike. The South Korea international cut inside from the left flank before unleashing an unstoppable curling effort into the top corner. While Son celebrated becoming the first Asian player to score 100 Premier League goals, the visitors quickly set about finding an equaliser.100 Premier League goals! pic.twitter.com/KxR4IM01nS— Tottenham Tiers (@TottenhamTiers) April 8, 2023 Kaoru Mitoma looked to have levelled the contest, but he was penalised for controlling the ball with his arm and his strike was chalked off. The undeterred visitors continued to surge forward with real purpose and tested the returning Hugo Lloris in Spurs’ goal. First, Alexis Mac Allister forced the Frenchman into a smart save with a powerful effort from distance, and the Tottenham goalkeeper was required again just seconds later to push Moisés Caicedo’s driven strike onto the post. The Brighton pressure finally told just after the half-hour mark though when Solly March’s deep corner found the unmarked Lewis Dunk, who produced a thumping header to restore parity.GOAL | Tottenham 1-1 Brighton Lewis Dunkpic.twitter.com/yV58m15XtX— VAR Tático (@vartatico) April 8, 2023 Within 10 minutes of the restart, Danny Welbeck thought he had completed the Brighton turnaround, but his left-footed strike went in off Mac Allister’s right hand, ensuring Brighton had a goal disallowed for the second time of the afternoon. With the match on a knife edge, the heightened tensions were reflected in the respective dugouts as a melee broke out on the touchline between the coaching staff, resulting in red cards for Cristian Stellini and Roberto De Zerbi for failing to control their technical areas.Not long after Mitoma had strong appeals for a penalty waved away, Tottenham carved out a winning goal through their talisman, Kane. Pierre-Emile Højbjerg’s neat cut-back found the run of the England captain, and he duly swept home his 23rd league goal of the season to earn a priceless victory. Fifth-placed Spurs sit three points adrift of the top-four, albeit having played a game more than their rivals, while the Seagulls drop down to seventh position after a first PL defeat since February.GOAL! Tottenham 2-1 Brighton (Kane) #TOTBHA pic.twitter.com/1ATJyyDrKx— The Premier League Club (@TPLCSports) April 8, 2023 PREMIER LEAGUE – ROUND 30SaturdayMan.Utd. – Everton 2-0 (1-0)/McTominay 26, Martial 71/Aston Villa – Nott.Forest 2-0 (0-0)/Traore 48, Watkins 90+5/Brentford – Newcastle 1-2 (1-0)/Toney 45+1 pen – Joelinton 54, Isak 61/Fulham – West Ham 0-1 (0-1)/Reed 10 og/Leicester – Bournemouth 0-1 (0-0)/Billing 40/Tottenham – Brighton 2-1 (1-1)/Son 10, Kane 79 – Dunk 34/Wolverhampton – Chelsea 1-0 (1-0)/Nunes 32/19:30: (11.0) Southampton (6.00) Man.City (1.25)Sunday16:00: (2.15) Leeds (3.45) Crystal Palace (3.70)18:30: (2.80) Liverpool (3.50) Arsenal (2.60)***odds are subject to change***
