Premier League | Chelsea snatch last-gasp win at struggling Palace

Feb 13, 2024 at 8:09 PM
Premier League | Chelsea snatch last-gasp win at struggling Palace
Conor Gallagher of Chelsea celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Chelsea FC at Selhurst Park on February 12, 2024 in London, England.

Conor Gallagher of Chelsea celebrates scoring his crew’s second objective through the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Chelsea FC at Selhurst Park on February 12, 2024 in London, England.
| Photo Credit: Getty Images

Chelsea got here from behind to beat Crystal Palace 3-1 due to added time targets from Conor Gallagher and Enzo Fernandez within the Premier League at Selhurst Park on Monday.

Gallagher put the guests 2-1 up along with his second objective of the match earlier than Fernandez sealed the win as Chelsea rallied to safe the factors that took them as much as tenth within the standings.

The consequence provides to the strain on Palace boss Roy Hodgson, whose aspect haven’t saved a clear sheet in 13 league matches. They sit fifteenth on 24 factors, 5 factors above the drop zone.

It was a story of two halves for Chelsea who went into the break a objective down after an outstanding Jefferson Lerma strike on the half-hour had given the struggling hosts the lead.

“We saw two different sides. In the first half we were so flat and I was so disappointed. In the second half much better and I am very pleased with how we finished the game,” Chelsea supervisor Mauricio Pochettino advised the BBC.

Gallagher’s first objective in opposition to the membership the place he had a spell on mortgage in 2021-22 got here two minutes after the break as he neatly side-footed Malo Gusto’s cross from the precise excessive into the online.

The England midfielder struck once more within the 91st, additionally the product of an assault down the precise as he slotted Cole Palmer’s cross into the underside nook from the sting of the world.

Another Chelsea counter assault, and one other Palmer help, noticed the guests seal the factors within the 94th by Fernandez.

The third objective “led to an aggravated defeat but I don’t think that’s a fair reflection on the way the game was played. I think we deserved to come off with at least one point,” mentioned Hodgson.

Spectacular strike

Lerma had put Palace forward with a spectacular strike from exterior the field into the highest proper nook after Tyrick Mitchell gained the ball from Noni Madueke as Chelsea tried to get well from a weak headed clearance by Thiago Silva.

Chelsea managed only one shot off course within the first half, regardless of commanding virtually 80% of the possession.

The Blues had been equally dominant on the ball after the break however decidedly extra attacking after a lacklustre opening interval wherein they posed little risk going ahead.

Hodgson was unable to pick out his key attacking duo of Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze, who between them have scored 11 of Palace’s 27 league targets this season, as a consequence of accidents.

Adding to Palace’s woes was the absence of England defender Marc Guehi, who picked up a knee damage of their 4-1 defeat at rivals Brighton & Hove Albion final weekend.

Monday’s consequence follows Chelsea’s 3-1 victory at Aston Villa of their FA Cup forth spherical replay final Wednesday. It was additionally their thirteenth straight league win over Palace — a membership document.

They go to champions Manchester City on Saturday, whereas Palace journey to 18th-placed Everton subsequent Monday.