London: Eden Hazard came to Maurizio Sarri’s rescue as the Chelsea star’s superb late strike earned a 1-1 draw against Wolves here, Sunday.
Sarri’s side were seconds away from another damaging defeat after Raul Jimenez put Wolves ahead at Stamford Bridge.
Hazard spared the under-fire Sarri’s blushes with his thunderous stoppage-time equaliser, but it was still a frustrating day for the Blues boss.
Sarri’s side had won three times in 10 days to temporarily silence reports that the Italian was facing the sack.
But Chelsea’s latest misfiring effort raised the possibility that Sarri is back on borrowed time in west London.
The ‘Blues’, languishing in sixth, will be further adrift of the top four after another tense afternoon for Sarri.
It has been a nightmare debut season for former Napoli boss Sarri, who had to endure a League Cup final defeat against Manchester City in which Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga refused to be substituted.
Under Sarri’s watch, Chelsea have also suffered humiliating thrashings at City and Bournemouth, while supporters chanted for his sacking after the FA Cup exit against Manchester United.
Beating Tottenham and Fulham in the league and then easing past Dynamo Kiev in the Europa League last 16 first leg Thursday had given Sarri some breathing space.
But Wolves have proved a thorn in his side this season and, after beating the Blues 2-1 at Molineux in December, they left the Italian looking over his shoulder anxiously again.
Chelsea are in action at Kiev on Thursday before a league trip to Everton next Sunday.
The international break looms after that and Sarri could do with victories in those games to ensure Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich doesn’t wield the axe.
AFP