Wolves boss Gary O'Neil hails 'fantastic' victory over Chelsea after illness left him calling up young players to make up the numbers just hours before the match

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Wolves boss Gary O'Neil said his side deserved to win despite having to name an inexperienced bench with players unavailable.

Second-half goals from Mario Lemina and Matt Doherty earned Wolves a 2-1 victory at Molineux on Christmas Eve.

Lemina headed in unmarked from Pablo Sarabia's corner early in the second period, just reward after Gary O'Neil's side had weathered early pressure and the hosts had spurned a host of chances, most glaringly from Raheem Sterling.

Then in stoppage time and with the visitors committed forward, Wolves broke and Hugo Bueno crossed for Doherty to take advantage of a poor clearance to slam home a second.

Substitute Christopher Nkunku headed his first Chelsea goal in the dying minutes, but Mauricio Pochettino's side slipped to a third away league defeat on the spin.

Wolves boss Gary O'Neil celebrates the impressive victory over Chelsea on Christmas Eve

Mario Lemina's second half opener helped Wolves to a huge 2-1 win over Chelsea at Molineux

Matt Doherty produced a calm finish in second half stoppage time for give Wolves a cushion

O'Neil said: 'It was a tough day for us with a call from the doctor this morning around illnesses,' he said. 'I had to call up some young lads last minute to make up the squad.

'Going against what Chelsea had, especially late on in the game, I thought it might have been tricky for us once we started to tire.

'But the lads manage to produce another fantastic performance here in front of the home fans and we deserved the win really.'

O'Neil was forced to make some late additions to the squad in the morning with Jeanricner Bellegarde ill and Craig Dawson not at full fitness. 

'Mario (Lemina) was physically incredible and led the team well,' he added. Lemina dedicated his man-of-the-match award to his father, who is currently hospital.

'I'm really proud. We love playing here (at Molineux). The fans have been incredible to the group and one of my biggest positives so far is the connection we have with the fans. I love managing the team here,' O'Neil added