Chelsea just about squeezed past Crystal Palace with a 2-1 victory on Wednesday evening.
The Blues have returned to winning ways but by the skin of their teeth, requiring an 89th-minute penalty to secure the three points. Their performance was much-improved than those in recent weeks at least and there are reasons for their fans to be optimistic moving forwards.
Mauricio Pochettino's starting lineup was Chelsea's youngest in the Premier League era. Quite strikingly, full-back Ian Maatsen was preferred in attack over Noni Madueke, while Christopher Nkunku made his first start.
1 - Chelsea have named their youngest ever Premier League starting XI (23 years, 21 days); it's the youngest XI named by a Premier League team since Man Utd vs Crystal Palace in May 2017 (22y 284d) and the eighth youngest ever by any side in Premier League history. Budding. pic.twitter.com/ljLqDB9Rza
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 27, 2023
Pochettino on Ian Maatsen in a wide attacking role:
— Vince™ (@Blue_Footy) December 27, 2023
"We were using him in pre-season in this position. He can give us a different option. He can provide a good balance. He is a player we trust."
Nkunku scoring tonight I can feel it 🔵🔵
— Paul Merson (@PaulMerse) December 27, 2023
Noni Madueke deserves to start. pic.twitter.com/jsiHIY5eaV
— Janty (@CFC_Janty) December 27, 2023
Once play started, Palace loanee Conor Gallagher was booed by travelling fans because...he didn't push for another loan there, maybe?
Palace fans booing Gallagher?? That is incredibly odd
— Felix (@FelixJohnston_) December 27, 2023
Crystal Palace fans booing Gallagher because his loan ended. How dare he.
— Benjamin Wills (@BWills95) December 27, 2023
Chelsea took the lead on 14 minutes when Malo Gusto teed up Mykhailo Mudryk, who had an easy finish from close range.
Mudryk side-foots Gusto’s cut-back low past Henderson to put Chelsea ahead. Lovely pass from Nkunku to pick out Gusto on the overlap as well #cfc https://t.co/cp4xRMzjQM
— Dan Bennett (@dandbennett_) December 27, 2023
1-0 Mykhailo Mudryk
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) December 27, 2023
He’s been class these first 10 minutes
MUDRYK GIVES CHELSEA AN EARLY LEAD AGAINST CRYSTAL PALACE!
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 27, 2023
HIS THIRD PL GOAL OF THE SEASON 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Xd1CbtkPvV
Chelsea were in control for much of the first half, but they were pegged back just before the break when Michael Olise capitalised on some lazy defending from Levi Colwill and Moises Caicedo.
Michael Olise has been outstanding against the club who tried to sign him last summer, but that's really poor defending. https://t.co/dsBQd4xcZP
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) December 27, 2023
colwill and caicedo no communication. embarrassment
— L (@Iewdawg) December 27, 2023
Pochettino turned to Romeo Lavia after half-time, bringing the Belgian midfielder on for his debut.
Can't believe Lavia is finally playing football for us.
— Chels HQ (@Chels_HQ) December 27, 2023
LAVIA DEBUT, WE’RE LEAVING WITH SOMETHING
— Vᴅʏᴋ (@VdykCFC) December 27, 2023
Nicolas Jackson should have put Chelsea ahead again when he was played in by Gallagher, but the notoriously wasteful striker missed another huge chance.
Lack of action Jackson ..
— Grizz Khan (@GrizzKhan) December 27, 2023
Jackson thought he had scored seconds later, only for VAR to disallow his strike for offside.
📸 - OFFSIDE! NICOLAS JACKSON'S GOAL HAS BEEN DISALLOWED! pic.twitter.com/OsQHSVFV5m
— 𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐀𝐉𝐀𝐗 💎 (@TheEuropeanLad) December 27, 2023
There’s no words that can describe Nicolas Jackson.
— Dubois (@CFCDUBois) December 27, 2023
Nicolas Jackson cannot turn his luck around... 😅 pic.twitter.com/cBmDOHAiuJ
— 90min (@90min_Football) December 27, 2023
Late in the day, Chelsea were awarded a penalty following a VAR check after Ebere Eze hauled down substitute Madueke - the man home fans had longed to see.
The fact it's taken that long to give such an obvious pen is crazy 😂
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) December 27, 2023
Madueke scored from the spot to restore Chelsea's lead and win the game. The perfect impact substitute.
A late London derby winner for Chelsea ☝️#CHECRY | #FestiveFixtures pic.twitter.com/nf42iiichX
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 27, 2023
NONI MADUEKE GOALLL !!!!!!
— Janty (@CFC_Janty) December 27, 2023
HE WON THE PENALTY AND SCORED IT
THATS WHY YOU START HIM !!!!!
Madueke shushing the Palace crowd fair play, his goal has taken Chelsea from 10th to 10th
— J7 (@lfcJ7_) December 27, 2023
No Chelsea fan can scroll without liking this.
— Mod (@CFCMod_) December 27, 2023
Madueke deserved this moment. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐨𝐲 ✨ pic.twitter.com/KpfLv8SuE2
