After a disappointing end to 2024, Enzo Maresca and his Chelsea side endured more frustration on Saturday as a late goal from Jean-Philippe Mateta denied the Blues all three points against Crystal Palace.
The visitors dominated the first half and needed just 14 minutes to open the scoring. Jadon Sancho produced a wonderful dummy that allowed him to race down the left and slide the ball through to Cole Palmer in the penalty area. Chelsea’s star man then simply took a touch and coolly rolled the ball past goalkeeper Dean Henderson.
Chelsea should have extended their lead in the first half but both Josh Acheampong and Nico Jackson wasted chances to make it 2-0, while Crystal Palace offered little going forward and their only real chance was a Mateta effort that rolled just wide of Robert Sanchez’s post.
Yet Eberechi Eze ought to have made it 1-1 at the start of the second half when the lively Daniel Munoz cut the ball back, but Palace’s star winger could only somehow fire wide from six yards out.
Palace grew into the game in as the half progressed but Chelsea only had themselves to blame for not making the game safe. Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, Jackson and Palmer all wasted opportunities and were made to pay late on when Palmer was hustled off the ball near the halfway line. Palace then proceeded to cut the Blues open with ease and eventually feed the ball to Mateta to slide home the equaliser from close range.
GOAL rates Chelsea’s players from Selhurst Park…
Goalkeeper & Defence
Robert Sanchez (6/10):
His distribution remains questionable but he dealt with pretty much everything else Palace threw at him. Couldn’t do anything about the goal.
Malo Gusto (6/10):
Not completely convincing, as Palace did get some joy down his flank, and he will have been relieved to see Eze miss at the start of the second half.
Josh Acheampong (7/10):
Looked confident defensively on his first league start and could have scored but headed a good chance wide.
Levi Colwill (7/10):
Really strong performance alongside Acheampong. Booked for a poor challenge on Doucoure but produced a great block to deny Mateta.
Marc Cucurella (5/10):
Was caught out on a few occasions and could not prevent Mateta grabbing a late equaliser.
Midfield
Enzo Fernandez (6/10):
Another influential performance, was good on the ball and had a chance to make it 2-0.
Moises Caicedo (6/10):
Perhaps could be faulted for giving away too many fouls, but worked incredibly hard and did little else wrong.
Attack
Pedro Neto (6/10):
Worked hard throughout but was lacking a little end-product.
Cole Palmer (7/10):
Chelsea’s most inventive player once again. Created chances and slotted home the opener with his usual composure but did gave the ball away for Palace’s equaliser.
Nicolas Jackson (5/10):
Guilty of missing some good chances to score in a wasteful performance.
Jadon Sancho (8/10):
Did brilliantly down the left flank to tee up the opener for Palmer but was also a willing worker and made some important defensive interventions.
Subs & Manager
Marc Guiu (6/10):
Came on to try and finish Palace off but couldn’t find a goal on his 19th birthday
Noni Madueke (N/A):
A late sub as Chelsea tried to grab a late goal.
Enzo Maresca (5/10):
More frustration for Maresca. He will know his team should have won but they failed to take their chances and were punished.