After two tumultuous seasons, Chelsea has finally regained its confidence under new coach Maresca and even had a glimpse of hope in the Premier League title race. However, over the past three rounds, Chelsea has encountered setbacks, drawing with Everton and losing consecutively to Fulham and Ipswich, falling 10 points behind league leader Liverpool, effectively ending their title challenge.
Chelsea has no time to mourn, as they face Crystal Palace this weekend in the 20th round of the Premier League, away from home. Crystal Palace is only five points above the relegation zone, facing significant pressure to avoid relegation. In the last 15 encounters between the two sides, Chelsea has maintained an unbeaten record with 14 wins and one draw, which is why fans generally favor the Blues to win. In this match, Palmer scored early, but Chelsea wasted several opportunities, allowing Mateta to equalize in the 82nd minute, resulting in a 1-1 draw, marking Chelsea's fourth consecutive winless game.
Maresca continued with the 4231 formation for this game, with Jackson as the lone striker, Palmer supporting from behind, Sancho and Neto on the wings, and Enzo and Kessie, both worth 100 million, forming the midfield barrier. The defense was composed of Cucurella, Colwill, Gusto, and the 18-year-old Achanpong, with Sanchez guarding the goal.
After the game started, Chelsea quickly took control and broke the deadlock soon after.
In the 14th minute, Colwill passed from the back, Sancho turned elegantly to dribble through, sent a low cross from the left, and Palmer followed up to push the ball into the far corner, making it 1-0! Palmer scored his 13th Premier League goal, ranking third in the scoring charts. Sancho has provided four assists in the Premier League this season, setting a career high, completely reviving after leaving Manchester United.
In the 20th minute, Chelsea came back strong, with Palmer delivering a set-piece cross, Neto heading the ball back, and Jackson following up with a shot that unfortunately went wide. In the 28th minute, during Chelsea's corner kick attack, Palmer crossed the ball into the box, and Achanpong headed the ball, narrowly missing the post again.
In the 38th minute, Jackson received the ball on the right flank, cut inside to dodge the Crystal Palace defender, and shot with the outside of his foot towards the far corner, still failing to hit the target, as Chelsea entered the locker room with a one-goal advantage. After the break, Crystal Palace did not give up, and in the 49th minute, Sal delivered a fine pass during a counterattack, Mateta returned the ball in a reverse triangle, and Eze pushed the shot wide from the center.
In the 62nd minute, there was a controversial refereeing decision when Neto cut inside from the right and was brutally tackled by a Crystal Palace defender on the edge of the penalty area, but the referee took no action. In the 70th minute, Crystal Palace made a back-passing error, gifting Jackson a chance to break into the box, but his shot from a tight angle went wide, with Neto expressing his dissatisfaction at the back post.
Unable to extend their lead, Chelsea was punished!
In the 82nd minute, Munoz intercepted in the frontcourt, Sal sent a through ball, Eze selflessly crossed in front of the goal, and Mateta pounced to score, leveling the score for Crystal Palace at 1-1!
Chelsea has now gone four rounds without a win, with two draws and two losses, accumulating only two points, allowing Wini to overtake Nottingham Forest ahead of them. Moreover, due to victories by Newcastle and Manchester City, Chelsea's Champions League spot is in jeopardy.