Pochettino under fire as Chelsea crash at the Bridge

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Mauricio Pochettino's problems mounted as struggling Chelsea crashed to a dismal 4-2 defeat against Wolves.

Languishing in 11th place, Chelsea were booed off by furious fans after Matheus Cunha's hat-trick condemned them to a second successive defeat.

Chelsea's English midfielder #20 Cole Palmer (R) celebrates after scoring his team first goal during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge in London

Chelsea was thrashed by Liverpool 4-1 on Wednesday and their week to forget finished with an even more embarrassing loss as Wolves completed the double over the woeful West Londoners.

Cole Palmer put Chelsea ahead with a composed angled finish from Moises Caicedo's defence-splitting pass in the 19th minute.

But Chelsea's lead lasted just three minutes, with Cunha's shot taking a hefty deflection off Thiago Silva to leave Blues keeper Djordje Petrovic wrong-footed as it whistled into the net.

Wolverhampton Wanderers' French defender #03 Rayan Ait-Nouri (L) reacts as he falls following a tackle by Chelsea's English midfielder #23 Conor Gallagher during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge in London

Pochettino wore an exasperated look in the 43rd minute when Rayan Ait Nouri's shot deflected in for an own goal off Chelsea defender Axel Disasi.

The already fraught atmosphere turned even more toxic in the 63rd minute as Pedro Neto teed up Cunha to drive in Wolves' third goal.

Cunha's 82nd-minute penalty, awarded when he was fouled by Malo Gusto, capped a miserable afternoon for Pochettino, who took no consolation from Silva's close-range finish in the 86th minute.

Chelsea's Brazilian defender #06 Thiago Silva reacts after missing to score during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge in London on February 4, 2024.

It has been a dispiriting first season in charge for Pochettino and the former Tottenham boss is certain to face calls for his sacking unless results improve quickly.

Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly has already shown his ruthless side by sacking Graham Potter after less than seven months in charge last term.

Wolverhampton Wanderers' Brazilian striker #12 Matheus Cunha (rear C) celebrates after scoring his team third goal during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge in London

With trips to Aston Villa and Manchester City among their next three games, Chelsea could be in complete disarray by the time they face Liverpool in the League Cup final at Wembley on February 25.