Chelsea vs Crystal Palace Report

Scorers: Jackson 25’; Eze 54’

Crystal Palace managed to avoid a 14th successive Premier League defeat against Chelsea by securing a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge, marking the first draw in this fixture since 1995.

The Eagles demonstrated resilience and determination, coming from behind to salvage a crucial point in what was a tense and thrilling encounter in the capital.

Chelsea’s Dominant Start

With the summer transfer window finally closed, Chelsea’s manager Enzo Maresca had the opportunity to field his expensively-assembled squad without further distractions. The Blues started the game with a clear intent to dominate, and their efforts almost paid off early on.

In the opening quarter-hour, Chelsea’s new recruit, Cole Palmer, came close to breaking the deadlock with a curling shot from the edge of the box.

However, the ball narrowly missed the target, keeping the scores level. Moments later, Noni Madueke squandered two golden opportunities to put Chelsea ahead—first, by firing wide from close range and then by being denied by a brilliant save from Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson.

Chelsea’s Breakthrough

Chelsea’s pressure eventually bore fruit in the 25th minute. In a well-executed team move, Noni Madueke easily outpaced Will Hughes down the right flank, before slipping a perfectly timed pass to Cole Palmer.

The latter, showing great vision and composure, squared the ball to Nicolas Jackson, who tapped in from close range to give Chelsea a deserved 1-0 lead.

Palace, managed by Oliver Glasner, struggled to create any meaningful chances in the first half, leaving them with much to ponder during the break.

Eze’s Magic Secures a Point for Palace

The second half saw a much-improved Crystal Palace side. Dean Henderson kept them in the game by tipping over a well-struck free-kick from Cole Palmer. Palace’s efforts to get back into the game were rewarded just nine minutes after the restart.

Eberechi Eze, who had been quiet in the first half, came to life and produced a moment of brilliance. Given too much time and space on the edge of the box, Eze curled a superb shot into the corner of the net, leaving Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sánchez with no chance.

The goal not only brought Palace level but also gave them a renewed sense of belief.

Late Drama and Missed Opportunities

With the score tied, Maresca looked to his bench to find a winner, bringing on Mykhailo Mudryk to replace the injured Malo Gusto. Despite Chelsea’s best efforts, including two missed chances by Jackson in stoppage time, they were unable to break down a resolute Palace defence.

On the other hand, Palace almost snatched all three points late on when Daichi Kamada’s powerful shot was brilliantly saved by Sánchez. In the end, both teams had to settle for a share of the spoils.

Conclusion

This hard-fought draw will be a welcome relief for Crystal Palace as they earn their first point of the Premier League season following two consecutive defeats. For Chelsea, the result will feel like an opportunity missed, but there were positive signs of progress under Maresca’s leadership.

The Blues will now turn their attention to their next fixture as they aim to convert their dominance into victories.

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Chelsea v Crystal Palace, 2024/25 | Premier League