Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.
Chelsea face Wolves at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League this evening, with the hosts looking for their first league win since mid-December.
Enzo Maresca’s side last won against Brentford on 15 December, and have since lost to Ipswich and Fulham while drawing with Everton, Palace and Bournemouth. Those results have seen them slip into sixth ahead of kick-off, though they can immediately move back into the top four with a win tonight.
At the other end of the table, Wolves sit precariously in 17th, out of the relegation zone on goal difference alone. New manager Vitor Pereira has managed to steady the ship somewhat, but he knows his side need to pick up points quickly if they are to stay out of reach of the bottom three.
The midlands side have not won in the league since Boxing Day and have a terrible run of fixtures on the horizon with Arsenal, Aston Villa and Liverpool to come.
Follow all the latest Premier League action from Stamford Bridge with our live blog below:
Wolves relying on foreign players
Seven of Wolves’ Premier League starting XIs this season have not contained an Englishman, only one occasion fewer than the total of the other 19 teams combined.
Mike Jones20 January 2025 19:35
Chelsea dropping points from winning positions
Chelsea dropped just two points from winning positions in their first 17 league matches under Enzo Maresca, but have lost seven points in their subsequent four games with two draws and two defeats in that run.
Mike Jones20 January 2025 19:30
Manchester United target Wolves left wing-back to strengthen squad
Manchester United are looking at Wolves’ Rayan Ait-Nouri as an alternative at left-back.
Mike Jones20 January 2025 19:25
An unwanted record
Wolves could become the first side to lose their opening three top-flight games of a calendar year by three or more goals since Nottingham Forest in 1910.
Chelsea would need to win by at least three goals tonight for that record to fall though.
Mike Jones20 January 2025 19:20
A strong start
Wolves earned seven points from their opening three matches under Vitor Pereira but have subsequently suffered successive 3-0 league defeats.
Can they get back to winning ways tonight?
Mike Jones20 January 2025 19:15
Chelsea need to improve at Stamford Bridge
Just 43% of Chelsea’s points this season have come at home (16 of 37), which is the lowest proportion in the top flight.
One reason for that will be the fact they have kept just one clean sheet at home in the league.
Can they shut out Wolves tonight?
Mike Jones20 January 2025 19:10
Blues’ bad form
Chelsea are winless in five leagues games (three draws, two defeats), immediately following a run of five straight victories.
Mike Jones20 January 2025 19:05
Reece James on ‘positives’ of Bournemouth draw
Chelsea captain Reece James came off the bench to earn Chelsea a point in a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth and says the team could have won all three.
“It was disappointing to only take a point from the game,” said James, who made his first league appearance since November in the match.
“We were dominating most of the game and we should have walked away with three points.
“Collectively as a team we had chances in the first half and sometimes in games when you don’t take the chances, the game goes on and they managed to get two goals.
“There are positives to take. The amount of chances we created for example. Anyone can beat anyone, we just have to put this game behind us now and take it game by game.”
Mike Jones20 January 2025 19:00
There are positives – Reece James upbeat despite Chelsea’s winless run extending
Reece James said there are positives to be taken by Chelsea after his stoppage-time free-kick salvaged a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth.
Enzo Maresca’s side are now five games without a win in the Premier League despite their captain’s dramatic late intervention at Stamford Bridge.
That run has seen them drop from second place towards the end of December, when they were considered the side most likely to challenge leaders Liverpool, to fourth and at risk of dropping out of the Champions League places.
Mike Jones20 January 2025 18:55