Chelsea enjoyed a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace on Wednesday, with a late Noni Madueke penalty separating the two sides. Mauricio Pochettino made five changes from the side that lost 2-1 at Wolverhampton Wanderers just days earlier.
Chelsea had a new look after Wolves defeat
Thiago Silva made way at centre-back for Benoît Badiashile. Lesley Ugochukwu and Enzo Fernandez weren’t fit to feature, so the returning Moises Caicedo partnered Conor Gallagher in midfield.
Raheem Sterling and Cole Palmer were suspended for the clash, so Mauricio Pochettino started Ian Maatsen and Mykhailo Mudryk. Armando Broja was also replaced by Nicolas Jackson, and his attacking-midfield spot was filled by Christopher Nkunku.
Romeo Lavia would make his first appearance for Chelsea too, coming off the bench before the hour mark.
Chelsea dominated before the break
Chelsea started well and nearly took the lead when Maatsen had a chance cleared off the line. Mudryk played a one-two with Nkunku and fed Maatsen through on goal, but his effort failed to cross the line. They would break the deadlock minutes later, however, when Malo Gusto went on a rampaging run down the right flank.
Gusto collected the ball in his own half, spun away from one player and had a give-and-go with Nkunku. He then cut the ball back in the area for Mudryk to finish from close range. Mudryk could have doubled the lead after being put through on goal by Jackson, but his effort was saved.
The Blues were made to pay for the missed chances as Palace would equalise just before the break. A cross into the box found an unmarked Michael Olise who chested the ball down and volleyed home.
So many missed opportunities
In the second-half, Chelsea should have scored from Jackson after a one-on-one with Dean Henderson. Gallagher put him through on goal, but Jackson chipped his effort wide of the post.
Jackson would have the ball in the back of the net with a close-range finish, but it was deemed offside. Late in the game, Chelsea would be awarded a controversial penalty after Madueke was seemingly tripped in the area. The incident went to VAR and was deemed a foul.
Madueke stepped up and slotted home, wrong-footing Henderson, to give his side the win. It wasn’t their best second-half showing, but they ground out a victory in the end.
