Chelsea’s turbulent Premier League campaign showed little sign of improvement on Saturday as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Despite taking an early lead, the Blues failed to secure three crucial points, with Jean-Philippe Mateta’s late equalizer ensuring the spoils were shared.
The visitors started brightly and capitalized on their dominance in the 14th minute.
Jadon Sancho delivered a precise pass to Cole Palmer, who slotted the ball past Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson to give Chelsea a deserved lead.
Crystal Palace struggled to create meaningful chances in the first half, with Chelsea controlling possession and looking poised for a much-needed victory.
However, as the game progressed, the Eagles grew into the contest, spurred on by their home support.
The turning point came in the 82nd minute when Eberechi Eze, known for his creativity, delivered an inch-perfect assist to Jean-Philippe Mateta.
The forward made no mistake, driving a low shot past Robert Sánchez to draw Palace level.
Chelsea’s lack of cutting-edge in the final third proved costly, as they failed to capitalize on their early dominance.
The result leaves the Blues further adrift in the race for European qualification, with questions continuing to mount over their inconsistency over their last five matches.
For Crystal Palace, the draw marked a resilient performance and a valuable point at home.
The Eagles are now fifth on the Premier League table after showing their ability to respond against one of the league’s traditional giants.
Key Moments:
14th minute: Cole Palmer scores for Chelsea, assisted by Jadon Sancho.
82nd minute: Jean-Philippe Mateta equalizes for Crystal Palace, assisted by Eberechi Eze.
Chelsea’s next fixture will be under immense scrutiny, as fans and pundits alike await signs of improvement from the “now” struggling London club.