Chelsea 2-1 Crystal Palace: Noni Madueke’s penalty earns vital three points for Chelsea, as Pochettino’s side brushes past a stern Eagles’ Test

Chelsea are back to winning ways in the Premier League after a sweet victory over stern rivals Crystal Palace, as Mudryk and Madueke helps Mauricio Pochettino breath fresh air after a horrific 1-2 defeat in the hands of Wolves at Molineux over the weekend. Although Olise’s strike just before half-time had posed a severe threat for the Blues’, the home side was potent enough to see off the challenge presented to them by the Eagles.

Chelsea defeats Crystal Palace

Chelsea has been one of the unpredictable teams in the Premier League this season. They have had a topsy-turvy start, with some games ending on grand victories, while others forcing them to see a harsh reality check. But, as they say, form is temporary but class is permanent, as Chelsea, being one of the big names in the English football circuit, knows how to make a perfect turnaround after being pushed to the back of the wall. They were coming on the back of a horrendous 1-2 defeat at the hands of Wolves over the weekend, with Pochettino wringing in some changes for this crunch fixture which could see a little change in the Premier League table. As of the present scenario, they are reeling on the middle of the table, on the tenth spot, mustering 25 points from 19 games, with seven wins and eight defeats. But, Pochettino and his side would be happy after a blitzkrieg performance saw them brush aside the sturdy challenge of Crystal Palace, as the Eagles, who are on the 15th spot, would have looked to upset the hosts with their fervor this season, coupled with the mastermind of English football veteran Roy Hodgson and star performers in the form of Michael Olise and Ayew.

Mudryk continues scoring spree

Mykhailo Mudryk, Chelsea’s Ukrainian star, might have got his mojo back at the end of the year, as he opened the scoring on the 13th minute, thus adding to his tally of 3 Premier League goals this season. It was Chelsea’s newest recruit Christopher Nkunku who was instrumental in making the inroads as he passed the ball to his compatriot Malo Gusto through the left side of the box. The Frenchman was pivotal in the first goal, when he passed the ball to the Ukrainian Mudryk whose calm and composed finish helped Chelsea go past the sturdy defense of the Eagles with 13 minutes on the clock. Chelsea were dominating possession throughout the first half as Crystal Palace were hardly able to make any inroads, but it was due to a crazy falter at Chelsea’s back that allowed Palace to level terms, as Ayew’s cross found Olise free at the back post, who tucked the ball past Petrovic within the first minute of added time in the first half, thus ending the first phase 1-1, with the game poised for a grandstand finish.

Madueke finishes off in style

After the restart, it was all Chelsea who began to take matters in their own hands as they went close the goal on many occasions, but were either denied or defied. In some points in the second half, it looked as if Chelsea might falter and finish the game with a single point. Nicolas Jackson came close to restoring the lead but spurned the chance by flashing it agonizingly wide, with the goal gaping. He found the back of the net few minutes later, but VAR intervened in that goal, thus ruling his goal and keeping the score line intact at 1-1.

But, it was Madueke who decided to sprang upon the chance which VAR gave them, as it was seen that Jackson was seemed to have been brought down by Ebere Eze in the box, thus Madueke sparing Jackson’s blushes. The youngster fired the ball past the Eagles keeper, as the game ended in their favor with 2-1 score line, thus shaking off Christmas eve defeat at the hands of Wolves.

Youngster Alfie Gilchrist made his debut, at the fag end of the game, who seemed to be an embodiment of Chelsea legend John Terry with his skills and expertise.