Eberechi Eze scored a pretty goal and Dean Henderson made six saves to lead Crystal Palace to a surprise point and a 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Nicolas Jackson had put Chelsea in front early but the Blues could not deliver a second goal to the home faithful in this London derby.
Chelsea enter the international break with four points, three off the top four, while Palace’s first point lifts Oliver Glasner’s men out of the bottom three and into 16th on goal differential.
Chelsea fail to feast off Cole Palmer’s cooking
Fotmob credited Cole Palmer with five created chances but Chelsea only cashed in a single marker — Nicolas Jackson’s early tap-in. Palmer was, again, very good in the middle of the park but Pedro Neto was quiet on the left and Noni Madueke couldn’t deliver a finish on the right despite putting himself in good positions. Jackson might’ve had three goals another day and cynical Blues fans will say they’ve heard that story too many times, but he was busy. Joao Felix and Mykhailo Mudryk were decent off the bench, but decent doesn’t get you into the top four.
Palace live to fight another day
The Eagles so far have played three London derbies and taken a single point. That’s disappointing, but Sunday’s sensational goal from Eberechi Eze and shot-stopping display from Dean Henderson show two players who can lead them out of a relegation fight if Oliver Glasner can quickly get new transfers Maxence Lacroix, Eddie Nketiah, and Trevor Chalobah to contribute consistent performances around Adam Wharton, Marc Guehi, and friends.
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace player ratings
(from fotmob.com)
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace player ratings (from fotmob.com)
What’s next?
The international break! Then Chelsea head to Bournemouth at 3:30pm ET Sept. 14 (Saturday), the same time that Palace host Leicester City. Both teams then have League Cup scraps, with Palace going to QPR and Chelsea home to Barrow.
How to watch Chelsea vs Crystal Palace live, stream link and start time
Kickoff time: 8:30 am ET Sunday (Sept. 1)
Venue: Stamford Bridge
TV Channel: Peacock Premium
Streaming: Premier League on Peacock
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace live updates — by Nick Mendola
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace final score: 1-1
Nicolas Jackson, 25'; Eberechi Eze 54'
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace video highlights
Eberechi Eze strikes! Chelsea 1-1 Palace (54th minute)
Adam Wharton dribbles toward the Chelsea box and finds Cheick Doucoure, whose rushed shot is blocked onto the path of Eberechi Eze.
Bingo. Eze slots from outside the box to tie the game. It’s a very good strike that sends Robert Sanchez grasping through air.
Will Hughes very lucky to stay on
Hughes is on a yellow card and he twice grabs the arm and body of Cole Palmer, dropping the Chelsea man to the turf about 25 yards out from goal.
The referee lets him off the hook, and it’s a Chelsea free kick instead. Henderson concedes a corner with a terrific save on Palmer’s central shot over the wall.
Halftime — Chelsea 1-0 Crystal Palace
It’s difficult to say this has been anything but a walk for the Blues, but there’s still just one goal on the board.
The Blues have taken seven of the nine shot attempts and have only conceded 0.04 xGA while producing nearly two xG.
Nicolas Jackson goal! Chelsea 1-0 Crystal Palace (25th minute)
Crystal Palace are down a goal and perhaps a goalkeeper.
A terrific bit of right-to-left interplay — a mirror image of last week — sees Noni Madueke slip in Cole Palmer, who makes a brilliant low pass across goal for a Nicolas Jackson tap-in.
It was, as they say, coming for Chelsea.
Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson is getting treatment for a head injury after diving into the knee of Daniel Munoz.
USMNT goalkeeper Matt Turner is not the No. 2 today after arriving from Nottingham Forest on loan, as it was too late in the week. Sam Johnstone’s left — and started — for Wolves, so Remi Matthews is No. 2 but Henderson will attempt to continue for Palace.
Dean Henderson makes terrific save
Noni Madueke has the better of Tyrick Mitchell and he’s at the back post ready to snap home.
But Dean Henderson reacts so well to slap the ball over the bar. 0-0, 25'
Cole Palmer just misses
The Chelsea star has the ball 22 yards out and Marc Guehi shows him respect with a little space.
Palmer takes the opportunity to curl a shot across the goal that nearly finds its way inside the post. Close.
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace team news
No big Chelsea surprises here given the six-goal show versus Wolves, while Crystal Palace operates without sold Joachim Andersen and it looks like a back five.
Chelsea lineup
Sanchez, Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella, Caicedo, Fernandez, Palmer, Madueke, Neto, Jackson
Crystal Palace lineup
Henderson, Munoz, Richards, Guehi, Clyne, Mitchell, Wharton, Hughes, Kamada, Eze, Mateta.
Chelsea focus, team news
- OUT: Reece James (thigh) | QUESTIONABLE: Romeo Lavia (thigh)
Crystal Palace focus, team news
- OUT: Matheus Franca (chest/abdominal), Chadi Riad (knee)
Glasner confirmed on Friday, ahead of the transfer deadline, that center back Marc Guehi would be staying at the club despite a summer full of bids from defender-desperate Newcastle. Palace reportedly set their asking price at roughly $90 million and were unwilling to budge throughout the saga. The 24-year-old Chelsea academy product joined in the summer of 2021 for $25 million.
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace prediction
Chelsea won’t find nearly as much space on the counter as they did against Wolves, making their challenge to break down a deeper defending opponent. Early frustrations, followed by late joy. Chelsea 2-1 Crystal Palace.