Soccer Football - Premier League - Wolverhampton Wanderers v Chelsea - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - December 24, 2023 Wolverhampton Wanderers' Matt Doherty celebrates scoring their second goal with Joao Gomes, Tommy Doyle and teammates REUTERS/Carl Recine
(Reuters) - Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Gary O'Neil was concerned early on Sunday he did not have enough players for their Premier League game against Chelsea, but his worries turned into Christmas cheers as his side won 2-1 at Molineux.
Wolves became the first Premier League club to win a Christmas Eve fixture since Leeds United's 3-1 victory over Manchester United in 1995.
"I had a call early this morning from the doctor. Jean Bellegarde not feeling well, Craig Dawson not being 100 percent from his virus," O'Neil said after Wolves extended their unbeaten run at home to six matches.
"We had to call up young lads to make sure they were available this morning... incredible win with what we had available to us, injuries and three young lads on the bench against a team and squad the size of Chelsea.
"To get every last bit out of everybody available, and for them to dig in and be together, and not scrap a win but to be comfortable for most of it, is huge credit to the group. I'll enjoy Christmas Day tomorrow after that."
Still injury woes linger as Dawson had to be replaced in the second half after he hurt himself while blocking Raheem Sterling's shot.
"It's a really deep cut on his knee," O'Neil said.
"He's all stitched up... every time he bends it hurts a little bit, but the physios and doctors assure me he'll be okay for the next game which is important to us."
Eleventh-placed Wolves will visit Brentford on Wednesday before hosting Everton on Saturday for their third game in six days.
(Reporting by Chiranjit Ojha in Bengaluru; editing by Barbara Lewis)
