Chelsea come in off of a disappointing trip to Switzerland midweek to finish our qualification for the UEFA Conference League group stage, but hopefully that’s not indicative of what we will see here today. (The second half) of last weekend’s 6-2 win over Wolves showed a brilliant glimpse of what this team could be capable of. This is the last game before the international break. Banking a few good vibes for the fortnight of boredom ahead would be great.
A second half equaliser by Eberechi Eze gave Crystal Palace their first point of the Premier League season as they secured a 1-1 draw away to Chelsea on Sunday, bouncing back from a poor start to grab a share of the spoils after much improved second half.
The home side broke the deadlock in the 25th minute after Palace defender Marc Guehi made an ill-advised raid forward and lost the ball. The Blues countered quickly, with Nicolas Jackson scoring from close range from a pass by Cole Palmer.
Outplayed for most of the opening 45 minutes, Palace eventually turned their fortunes around after the break and Eze equalized in the 53rd minute, picking up the rebound from Cheick Doucou’s blockes shot and curling the ball beautifully into the net from outside the box.
Both sides had chances to grab a winner in the second half with Levi Colwill going close for Chelsea and Palace’s Diachi Kamada forcing a fine safe, but despite just over 8 minutes of stoppage time neither side could find another goal and the game ended in a stalemate.
Jadon Sancho may get introduced at half time but that will be the maximum extent of his participation in this one. All others should be good, to go including Malo Gusto and Pedro Neto who were rested midweek. Well, all others expect of course the injured pair of Romeo Lavia and Reecy James. They are both expected back only after the international break. With the squad settled, just as Enzo Maresca had wanted, the work and progress can truly begin.
Crystal Palace had a busy last couple days as well, signing no fewer than four players on Deadline Day, including Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah on loan. He is ineligible for this one. We might however see new striker Eddie Nketiah. The €25 million arrival from Arsenal has scored against us already.
Chelsea did the double over Palace last season, including a late Madueke winner in this fixture last season. Madueke’s in great for at the moment, too.
