Raheem Sterling and Cole Palmer were both booked in defeat to Wolves (Picture: Getty Images)

Chelsea will be without Raheem Sterling and Cole Palmer for their home clash with with Crystal Palace on Wednesday after they picked up bookings on Christmas Eve against Wolves.

It was another day to forget for the Blues as goals from Mario Lemina and Matt Doherty saw them lose 2-1 at Molineux, with a header on Premier League debut for Christopher Nkunku the only bright spark.

It could so easily have been different if Chelsea had taken more of their numerous chances they created, most notably when Sterling went through on goal and tamely shot straight at Jose Sa despite having Palmer and Nicolas Jackson to his right and with an open goal in front of them.
Both Sterling and Palmer were shown yellow cards in the defeat, as were Malo Gusto, Conor Gallagher and Jackson, and the bookings for the England pair mean they will miss the Premier League meeting with Palace on Wednesday.

That will not make it any easier for Mauricio Pochettino who is already dealing with a long list of injuries amid struggles for form and consistency.

Reece James, Wesley Fofana, Marc Cucurella, Ben Chilwell, Robert Sanchez, Enzo Fernandez, Trevoh Chalobah and Carney Chukwuemeka all missed the defeat to Wolves and are likely to be out next week as well.

Romeo Lavia was on the bench at Molineux, though, and is close to being able to make his debut for the Chelsea, having signed from Southampton over the sum...