FROM STAMFORD BRIDGE – Chelsea failed to make their dominance pay in a 1-1 draw at home to Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Enzo Maresca remains winless at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League after seeing his side go two points down when they should have killed off the game.
The Eagles fought hard to close out the game and snapped a two-game losing streak to open the new campaign.
How the game developed
Chelsea’s first half-chance of the game came in the 12th minute when Cole Palmer had time and space on the edge of the box to shoot, but his effort curled just wide of the post.
A similar opening was shown at the other end when Adam Wharton let fly from 20 yards, his shot easily deflected by Robert Sanchez.
Chelsea They should have taken the lead midway through the first half when a long ball from Malo Gusto was played by Nicolas Jackson to Noni Madueke, who snuck in behind Marc Guehi but flicked the ball wide.
Madueke had another good chance to score moments later when he ran onto the end of Enzo Fernandez’s cut-back pass over the top, this time his volley was denied by Dean Henderson.
The pressure was off and Chelsea took the lead with their next chance. Madueke raced in behind Will Hughes, who couldn’t take a cynical free-kick because he was on a yellow card, and played in Palmer, who squared for Nicolas Jackson to tap in at the far post.
In the second half, Henderson made another save to keep out Palmer, this time with a 20-yard direct free kick.
But against the tide of the game, palace found a leveler soon after. Chelsea were unable to clear an Eagles set piece and the ball fell to Eberechi Eze on the edge of the box. With a touch to settle, the England international picked out the end of Sanchez’s net.
Palace took control of the game and came close to going ahead when Daniel Munoz’s cut-back was met by Daichi Kamada. His shot was pushed by Sánchez, but fortunately for the Spaniard the ball fell over the net.
At the start of eight minutes of stoppage time, much of Stamford Bridge thought the hosts had gone back in front when Jackson fired into the side netting.
Seconds later, Jackson raced into the clear again after beating the offside trap, but Henderson did well to hold his own and deny him at the near post.
GK: Robert Sanchez – 5/10 – There is no chance to approach Eze’s beam. He didn’t have much to do other than get that shot out of the net.
RB: Bad Taste – 6/10 – Effective on the ball, especially when Chelsea were on the rise. He suffered a muscle injury in the second half.
CB: Wesley Fofana – 6/10 – Another positive display after his return this season from a long-term injury.
CB: Levi Colwill – 6/10 – A bit sloppy in possession but confident in his defensive duties, completely silencing Mateta.
LB: Marc Cucurella – 5/10 – A performance that is more reminiscent of Cucurella’s early days at Stamford Bridge. He provided little on the ball and was continually beaten by Munoz.
CM: Moises Caicedo – 6/10 – He stepped up in the tackles and asserted his authority in the midfield battle.
CM: Enzo Fernandez – 5/10 – Started brightly with some excellent passing, but couldn’t get the lock or keep his composure when Chelsea needed his supposed magic.
RW: Ara Madueke – 8/10 – Embracing his recent role as Chelsea’s star man. He broke through Hughes and co in the first half, leading to the first goal. It calmed down in the second when the hosts lost control.
AM: Cole Palmer – 7/10 – His usual brilliant wit stood out in the opening 45 minutes, although he was guilty of overdoing it as Chelsea became frustrated.
LW: Pedro Neto – 5/10 – Not even as effective as Madueke on the other side. Still working on his partnership with Cucurella on the left.
CF: Nicolas Jackson – 7/10 – A threat as always and was good value for his goal. Arguably, he should have scored a winner with one of two late, late chances.
Substitutes
SUB: Joao Felix (58′ for Neto) – 6/10
SUB: Mykhailo Mudryk (74′ for Gusto) – 6/10
SUB: Christopher Nkunku (86′ for Madueke) – 6/10
Subs not used: Filip Jorgensen (GK), Axel Disasi, Tosin Adarabioyo, Renato Veiga, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Cesare Casadei
manager
Enzo Maresca – 6/10 – Chelsea showed the fun side they can have on the ball, but there remains an issue of trying to keep control.
GK: Dean Henderson – 7/10 – He probably could have done better to prevent Jackson’s first goal, but he made up for it with a number of good saves, especially late in the day.
CB: Nathaniel Clyne – 7/10 – He helped double the tandem of Neto and Cucurella. He stopped Jackson again with the last chance of the game.
CB: Marc Guehi – 7/10 – He lost concentration at points but generally impressed in defending his own box. He also came up with the odd pass between the lines.
CB: Chris Richards – 6/10 – He managed to settle down after a difficult opening period chasing Madueke and Palmer.
RM: Daniel Muñoz – 8/10 – He absolutely dominated his flank and was unlucky not to have a goal involvement to his name at the end of it all. Highlighted by Palace.
CM: Adam Wharton – 6/10 – Stifled under pressure from Caicedo early on, but orchestrated the game as Palace got on the scoresheet.
CM: Will Hughes – 3/10 – He received an early booking and Chelsea, especially Madueke, tried to target him at every opportunity. He got hooked shortly after the restart when he was in real danger of being sent off.
LM: Tyrick Mitchell – 5/10 – Given the unenviable task of trying to catch Madueke, he did well to track the winger down the other side.
AM: Daichi Kamada – 6/10 – Knitted attacks perfectly with his quick, one-touch passes.
AM: King’s Mercy – 8/10 – He drew the ire of Glasner and the Palace fans for not throwing the ball on quickly enough, before calling on his trademark genius to lift the Eagles and earn them a point.
CF: Jean-Philippe Mateta – 5/10 – He tried to intimidate Colwill, but the young defender was having none of it. Removed for a faster output at the front in Sarr.
Substitutes
SUB: Cheick Doucoure (50′ for Hughes) – 7/10
SUB: Ismaila Sarr (67′ for Mateta) – 6/10
SUB: Jeffrey Schlupp (88′ for Kamada) – N/A
Subs not used: Remi Matthews (GK), Joel Ward, Kaden Rodney, Justin Devenny, Asher Agbinone, Franco Umeh-Chibueze
manager
Oliver Glasner – 6/10 – The first half was worrying for Palace, but they found their rhythm after that and could have taken the three points themselves.
