Chelsea responded to their disappointment on Christmas Eve with a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
Mykhailo Mudryk took advantage of a pass from Malo Gusto to open the scoring in the 13th minute, Michael Olise hitting back in first-half stoppage time.
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Nicolas Jackson’s idea that he had scored but was slightly offside, but the winner still came when Noni Madueke won a penalty from Eberechi Eze and showed the confidence to convert it.
All three issues lifted the Blues above AFC Bournemouth and put them in their place.
After squandering so much against Wolves and having to wait until the 96th minute to score, it’s an encouraging sign that Chelsea scored in the thirteenth minute. In addition to scoring that goal, Mudryk is one of the men involved in the team’s exciting attacking play. as they ruled in the first part. Although the second half was disappointing overall, Chelsea at least looked strong defensively during the peak. But most importantly, they won their last home game of 2023.
The Blues got off to a poor start in both halves. Even when they were ahead in the first half, Chelsea may be to blame for slowing things down unnecessarily. Much worse: they conceded at the end of the first half despite their dominance. Then they didn’t bring the same offensive risk for most of the time.
Mauricio Pochettino, 7 years old – There is plenty of encouragement to be taken from the first half, despite Pochettino’s side scoring again at half-time after conceding a late goal in the match. Arguably, his big decision was to start with Ian Maatsen in the absence of Cole Palmer and Raheem Sterling, the 21-year-old with minimal impact. His substitutions paid off and Madueke won and converted the winning penalty, despite being booked in stoppage time.
GK Djordje Petrovic, 6 — Looked confident with the ball at his feet but there was nothing he could do for Palace’s equaliser. Tipped shots from Jean-Philippe Mateta and Olise wide and did well to hold an effort from the latter in added time.
DF Malo Gusto, 8 years old – He looked brilliant in his offensive and defensive play. Defensively, the Frenchman made a very good shot to deny Jordan Ayew, while he kept running and put the chance at the home plate for Mudryk’s first goal.
DF Axel Disasi, 6 — Played some poor passes to put his team under unnecessary pressure but largely looked confident in his defensive play. Did enough to stop Eze’s shot from troubling Petrovic.
DF Benoit Badiashile, 6 years old – After doing a good job to prevent Mateta from going through an opportunity, they pressed him too hard and followed him as the striker looked for an opportunity and gave the impression of fighting him afterwards.
DF Levi Colwill, five – I struggled with Olise early on and struggled to stay on top, but then she undid all those paints by committing to receiving a cross and missing it to come out of the side area and score the equaliser. I did well to cut the ball out of Eze. a Olise.
MF Moises Caicedo, 6 – He lost the ball in a minor charge at times and didn’t stick to Olise, leaving him in the box to score Palace’s equalizer. He was booked for a foul on Olise after the ball had already been played, but he did well to prevent it. Eze’s attack with entry into his own area.
MF Conor Gallagher, 7 — Received a mixed reception from the travelling fans but didn’t let that impact him, as the midfielder put in a lot of good defensive work and notably slid in to block a shot from Eze. Some of his play on the ball could have been better but he slid the ball through for Jackson’s chance. Was booked for dissent.
MF Ian Maatsen, five years old: Maatsen made his first start to a Premier League season and at times struggled to succeed at the mandatory level. His shot went off the line and another deflected wide, while Chris Richards was much more potent than him. in the build-up to Palace’s equaliser.
MF Christopher Nkunku, 7 years old: He brought a lot of composure in his first start with Chelsea, rolling the ball to Gusto in the build-up to the first game and offering some glorious passes and touches. He missed the ball under pressure from Richards after it was played.
MF Mykhailo Mudryk, 7 – Did a brilliant job defensively to help Colwill and also looked brilliant in attack, coolly converting the first goal. Dean Henderson smothered it and saw another blocked but calmer attempt in the second half.
Forward Nicolas Jackson, 6 years old – Although he had some mediocre passing and touching, Jackson’s catch-and-connect game was pretty good, as he provided a great movie for Mudryk’s luck. He offered very little for much of the moment and sent the ball away. He squandered a great chance, then was disappointed when his goal missed for marginal offside.
DF Thiago Silva, 7 – Replaced Colwill in the 58th minute and brought more composure to Chelsea’s defensive line and his cross gave Jackson the chance to score the disallowed goal, but then slid in to let Palace in. He played a brilliant ball forward for Armando Broja, then it looked like he was denying Matheus França.
MF Romeo Lavia, 6 – Replaced Maatsen in the 58th minute and was quick to let Olise know he was there. He made a disappointing pass when there was a chance to break through.
Forward Noni Madueke, N/A – Replaced Nkunku in the 71st minute and looked brilliant, forcing Richards to commit a foul that earned him a yellow card. He was cautioned for an incident with Tyrick Mitchell, but then won and traded the overdue penalty to win it all. 3 problems for Chelsea. He also helped in defense.
FW Armando Broja, N/R — Replaced Mudryk in the 71st minute and was eased off the ball when he was first played behind. Controlled Silva’s ball brilliantly but fired into the side netting.
DF Alfie Gilchrist, N/A – He replaced Badiashile in the 92nd minute to make his first-team debut and looked set to make his mark, making a great move near the corner.