Chelsea bounced back to winning ways in the Premier League after a late 2-1 win over Crystal Palace on Wednesday evening.
Premier League
Result: Chelsea 2-1 Crystal Palace
Date: 27 December 2023
Venue: Stamford Bridge
The Blues made five changes following their defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers, as Christopher Nkunku, Mykhailo Mudryk, Moises Caicedo, Benoit Badiashile and Ian Maatsen were all brought in.
Two of the changes by Mauricio Pochettino were enforced, as Raheem Sterling and Cole Palmer were suspended.
The hosts had a bright start capped off by an early goal within 13 minutes after Mudryk fired a strike from close-range after a cut-back by Malo Gusto, who went through on goal.
Chelsea remained on the front foot and Mudryk almost doubled their lead seven minutes later after racing through on goal but he was denied by goalkeeper Dean Henderson, who came off his line quickly to make a point-blank save.
After largely absorbing the pressure, Palace grew in the game in the latter phase of the first stanza and Michael Olise eventually levelled matters on the stroke of half-time with a clinical finish at the back post after a cross by Jordan Ayew.
The Eagles were more confident on the ball coming from the break and ten minutes in, Jean-Philippe Mateta almost gave them the lead after he forced a save out of goalkeeper Dorde Petrovic at the near post.
After struggling to raise the tempo of their attacks, Chelsea eventually made attacking changes 20 minutes before time, as Noni Madueke and Armando Broja were tasked with changing the game in places of Nkunku and Mudryk.
The Blues were dangerous going forward immediately after that as Nicolas Jackson missed a sitter through on goal and moments later had a goal disallowed for offside by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
The game stretched from end to end towards the end and Chelsea were awarded a penalty in the last two minutes after Madueke was brought down in the box, following a VAR review. Madueke stepped up and fired home the winner for the Blues, after sending Henderson the wrong way.
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