Chelsea’s impressive winning streak came to an abrupt halt at Selhurst Park as a late equaliser from Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta denied the Blues a seventh consecutive Premier League victory. Despite Cole Palmer’s sublime opener, his 13th league goal of the season, Chelsea had to settle for a frustrating draw.
Palmer’s early goal showcased the creative brilliance of Jadon Sancho, whose clever dummy and pinpoint pass split Palace’s defence wide open. While Nicolas Jackson had chances to double the lead, the Eagles grew into the game and found a late equaliser through Mateta’s close-range finish in the 82nd minute. The draw leaves Chelsea in fourth place, as attention now shifts to their FA Cup campaign next weekend.
Josh Acheampong’s Promising Full League Debut
The pre-match spotlight was on 18-year-old Josh Acheampong, who was handed his full league debut. The Chelsea Academy graduate partnered Levi Colwill in central defence, forming a youthful and dynamic pairing that displayed composure and resilience throughout the game. Acheampong’s assured performance included a crucial aerial clearance and effective distribution, earning him praise from fans and pundits alike.
Manager Mauricio Pochettino made five changes to his starting XI, including the return of Robert Sanchez in goal and Malo Gusto in defence. Further upfield, Sancho and Pedro Neto flanked Palmer, while Jackson led the line for his 50th Premier League start. Crystal Palace, on the other hand, welcomed Marc Guehi back into the fold, replacing the ineligible Trevoh Chalobah, while Cheick Doucoure stepped in for the injured Will Hughes.
Dominant Chelsea Miss Key Chances to Secure Victory
Chelsea started the game on the front foot, dominating possession and creating early chances. Sancho and Jackson came close before Palmer broke the deadlock in the 14th minute. A moment of genius from Sancho set up the opportunity, as he dummied Marc Cucurella’s pass, outwitted Chris Richards twice, and delivered a precise pass to Palmer, who fired through Guehi’s legs and into the bottom corner.
Despite the early lead, Chelsea’s struggled to extend their advantage. Jackson miscued a volley, and Enzo Fernandez’s cross was nearly turned into an own goal by Maxence Lacroix. Crystal Palace eventually grew into the game, with Mateta’s deflected shot and subsequent corners testing Chelsea’s defence. Jackson came closest to scoring a second with a spectacular outside-the-boot effort just before halftime, but his shot narrowly missed the far post.
Palace Dominate the Second Half
Crystal Palace began the second half with determination, nearly equalizing just three minutes after the restart. Daniel Muñoz’s precise cutback found Ebere Eze in a prime position 10 yards out, but the playmaker could only sidefoot the ball wide, missing a golden opportunity. Minutes later, Palace’s threat continued as Chris Richards forced Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sánchez into a spectacular save from Eze’s well-placed free-kick.
Chelsea struggled to regain composure as Palace pressed for an equalizer. Just past the hour mark, there was a controversial moment when Chelsea’s Tyrick Mitchell was adjudged to have made minimal contact with the ball as Neto attempted to slip past him, denying Chelsea a potential penalty shout.
Thrilling Final Quarter
The game remained finely balanced entering the last 20 minutes. Chelsea’s defense came up big with crucial blocks from Malo Gusto and Acheampong, who thwarted successive Palace attacks. At the other end, Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez and Nicolas Jackson went close to sealing the game. Jackson, in particular, was unlucky when his left-footed strike, set up by Moises Caicedo, grazed the outside of the post.
Chelsea’s Levi Colwill was another standout in defense, heroically deflecting a shot from Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta over the crossbar. With time running out, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca made a bold substitution, bringing on Marc Guiu for Jackson in the 81st minute, hoping for a late winner.
Late Drama and Implications
However, it was Palace who capitalized late in the match. Ebere Eze, showing great vision, slipped into space and unselfishly squared the ball to Mateta, who calmly slotted it home under pressure from Marc Cucurella. Chelsea’s attempts to reclaim the lead in the dying minutes proved fruitless, with the match ending 1-1 for the second time this season.
The draw ends Chelsea’s long-standing winning streak at Selhurst Park and extends their winless run to four games. For Palace, the result showcases their resilience and growing confidence against top-flight opposition.
What’s Next for Chelsea?
Chelsea will host Morecambe at Stamford Bridge in the FA Cup third round next Saturday, seeking to bounce back and regain momentum. With their recent struggles, fans will hope for a stronger performance to turn the tide in their season.
Match Summary
Chelsea Scorer: Palmer (14′)
Crystal Palace Scorer: Mateta (83′)
Chelsea Line-up (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Acheampong, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez (c); Neto, Palmer, Sancho (Madueke 86); Jackson (Guiu 81).
Crystal Palace Line-up (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Richards, Guehi, Lacroix; Muñoz, Doucoure (Kamada 69), Lerma, Mitchell; Sarr, Eze (Nketiah 87); Mateta.
Bookings:
Chelsea: Colwill (64′), Fernandez (80′)
