Late Penalty Sees Chelsea Hand Palace Another Defeat

Just when it looked like the Eagles were about to take a third point in successive games, a mistake ended up costing the visitors any points to set up a big game at Selhurst at the weekend to see out the year.

MATCH INFORMATION

• 7.30pm – 27th December 2023
• Chelsea 2-1 Crystal Palace
• Stamford Bridge, Fulham Road, London SW6 1HS

PLAYER RATINGS

UNUSED SUBSTITUTES – 5 James TOMKINS, 19 Will HUGHES, 29 Naouirou AHAMADA, 31 Remi MATTHEWS, 44 Jairo RIEDEWALD, 45 Tayo ADARAMOLA, 52 David OZOH

OPPOSITION LINE-UP

UNUSED SUBSTITUTES – 13 Marcus BETTINELLI, 47 Lucas BERGSTROM, 52 Alex MATOS, 54 Leo CASTLEDINE

TEB VERDICT

It is hard to pick the bones out of this one as that late penalty decision was a real blow as the game was there for the taking. The hosts were given their get out of jail free card and took all three points. Olise was once again the star while it is clear Eze is struggling for match fitness but remains a threat, at both ends of the pitch as it turns out.

This defeat puts Palace into a really difficult position and the game at home to Brentford at the weekend turns out to be a very important one to see out 2023.

The performance against Chelsea was not bad, it pushed the hosts right to the end but this if not a Blues side of old and were beatable. Who knows whether a similar showing will be enough at the weekend, but it is a big three points up for grabs considering how condensed the table has become.

In game management is an issue, the changes made by the hosts edged it for them. Many will point the finger at the manager, if a win is not sealed by 5pm on Saturday then those calls will become much louder with just an FA Cup tie to come before the winter break.

POST GAME QUOTES

ROY HODGSON

“I was happy with the performance. I don’t accept the carving of defences was purely Chelsea. We had equally as many chances. We took the game to them for the bulk of the time in the second half.

I thought the reaction was there from the start. I thought for the first 15-20 minutes we swarmed over Chelsea. At half time I thought we could do better. We started the second half like we started the first half.

We can count ourselves very unfortunate to have lost. We have to accept as coaches that there are two referees – one on the pitch and one in a studio somewhere. It’s a fact of football life at the moment.

Of course it’s a concern being just above the relegation zone. We aren’t winning matches at the moment. If we weren’t showing the spirit we are showing, that would be more of a concern. It hurts that we are near the bottom of the table.

I have always had optimism. We have to keep working.”

MAURICIO POCHETTINO

“We created many chances. I am really pleased with the performance. You need to adapt to the team and it’s an important step for Christopher Nkunku. The Premier League is really tough and we need to be consistent. The first half of the season has been really up and down and it’s been tough and difficult. But we’re positive and we need to show that we can compete.”

MATCH STATISTICS

POSITION IN THE TABLE (at the final whistle)

UPCOMING FIXTURES

30/12/23 Brentford (h) – Premier League (3pm)

04/01/24 Everton (h) – Premier League (8pm)

20/01/24 Arsenal (a) – Premier League (12.30pm)