Noni Madueke converted a last-gasp penalty to secure Chelsea a dramatic 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge, extending their home winning streak to three games and finally breaking Palace’s 12-match unbeaten run against the Blues.
Palace started brightly, pressing high and looking threatening, but it was Chelsea who struck first. Malo Gusto’s brilliant turn and run down the left set up Mykhailo Mudryk for a composed finish, marking the Blues’ youngest-ever starting XI with a goal on their special day.
However, Michael Olise equalized just before halftime with a nonchalant touch and powerful strike, leaving the teams level at the break.
The second half saw Palace continue to threaten, with Eberechi Eze and Jean-Philippe Mateta coming close. Chelsea responded with chances of their own, including Nicolas Jackson’s glaring miss one-on-one with Dean Henderson. Jackson then thought he had won it, but VAR ruled his goal offside, adding to his frustrating day.
With the game seemingly heading for a draw, fate intervened. Noni Madueke, fresh off the bench, was tripped in the box by Eze. Madueke stepped up and coolly slotted the penalty past Henderson, sending Stamford Bridge into raptures.
The win means Chelsea have finally ended their hoodoo against Palace, while Pochettino’s side are left to lick their wounds after a 13th consecutive defeat across all competitions against the Blues. Despite the victory, Chelsea’s defensive woes continue, having conceded a league-worst 59 goals in 2023.
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