Chelsea ratings: 8/10 Gusto shines in win vs. Crystal Palace،
Chelsea responded to their disappointing Christmas Eve result with a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
Mykhailo Mudryk latched on to Malo Gusto's pass to open the scoring in the 13th minute, but Michael Olise hit back in first-half stoppage time.
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Nicolas Jackson thought he had scored but was slightly offside, although the winner still came as Noni Madueke won an Eberechi Eze penalty and showed the confidence to convert it.
The three points lifted the Blues above AFC Bournemouth and into 10th place.
Good points
After being wasteful against Wolves and having to wait until the 96th minute to score, it was an encouraging sign that Chelsea scored 13 minutes into proceedings. In addition to scoring that goal, Mudryk was one of the men involved in the team's exciting attacking play as they dominated in the first half. Although the second half was disappointing overall, Chelsea at least looked solid defensively for most of it. But above all, they won their last home game of 2023.
Negative points
The Blues got off to a bad start in both halves. Even when they were ahead in the first half, Chelsea could sometimes be guilty of slowing things down unnecessarily. Much worse than that, they conceded at the very end of the first half despite their domination. They then did not carry the same offensive threat for most of the second half.
Manager's note
Mauricio Pochettino, 7 years old — There was so much encouragement to be had from the first half, even though Pochettino's side came back level at the break after conceding late on. His big call was arguably to start Ian Maatsen in the absence of Cole Palmer and Raheem Sterling, with the 21-year-old having minimal impact. His substitutions paid off as Madueke won and converted the winning penalty, despite being booked in added time.
Player Ratings (1-10; 10 = best, players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Djordje Petrovic, 6 — He looked confident with the ball at his feet, but there was nothing he could do for Palace's equalizer. Deflected shots from Jean-Philippe Mateta and Olise next and well done to hold back an effort from the latter in added time.
DF Malo Gusto, 8 years old — He looked brilliant in his offensive and defensive game. In defense, the Frenchman made a superb tackle to deny Jordan Ayew, while he continued his run and put the opportunity on a plate for Mudryk's opener.
DF Axel Disasi, 6 years old — Played a few bad passes to put his team under unnecessary pressure, but seemed largely confident in his defensive play. I did enough to prevent Eze's shot from troubling Petrovic.
DF Benoit Badiashile, 6 — After doing well to prevent Mateta from passing on one chance, he got too tight and was spun as the striker carved out a chance and appeared to struggle against him afterwards.
DF Levi Colwill, 5 years old – He struggled against Olise early on and fought to keep up with him, but then undid all that work by committing to meet a cross and missing it to give the winger space to score the equalizer . I did well to cut Eze's ball to Olise.
MF Moisés Caicedo, 6 years old — He lost the ball cheaply at times and didn't track Olise, leaving him space to score Palace's equalizer. Was booked for a foul on Olise after the ball had already been played, but did well to stop Eze's attack with a tackle in his own area.
Mr. F. Conor Gallagher, 7 years old — Received a mixed reception from the traveling fans but didn't let that impact him, as the midfielder did a good job defensively and notably slid in to block a shot from Eze. Some of his ball play could have been better, but he slipped the ball to give Jackson the chance. Was booked for dissent.
Lecturer Ian Maatsen, 5 years — Maatsen was making his first Premier League start of the season and struggled at times to reach the necessary level. His shot was cleared off the line and another was deflected wide, while Chris Richards was much stronger than him in the build-up to Palace's equalizer.
Mr. F. Christopher Nkunku, 7 years old — Brought plenty of composure in his first start for Chelsea, rolling the ball towards Gusto in the build-up to the opener and providing some wonderful passes and touches. Missed the ball under pressure from Richards after being played.
Mr. F. Mykhailo Mudryk, 7 years old — He did brilliant defensive work to help Colwill and also looked brilliant in attack, coolly converting the opening goal. Was smothered by Dean Henderson and saw another effort blocked but was calmer in the second half.
FW Nicolas Jackson, 6 years old — Although he had some mediocre passes and touches, Jackson's hold-up and link-up play was pretty good, as he provided a nice sequence for Mudryk's chance. Offered very little for much of the second half and sent the ball wide with a huge opportunity, then disappointed when his goal was ruled out for marginal offside.
Substitutes (players introduced after 70 minutes receive no rating)
DF Thiago Silva, 7 years old — Replaced Colwill in the 58th minute and brought more composure to the Chelsea backline and his cross gave Jackson a chance to score the disallowed goal but then slipped to let Palace in. Played a brilliant ball forward for Armando Broja, then did well to deny Matheus França.
MF Roméo Lavia, 6 years old — Replaced Maatsen in the 58th minute and was quick to let Olise know he was there. Played a disappointing pass when there was a chance to break through.
FW Noni Madueke, N/R — Replaced Nkunku in the 71st minute and immediately looked brilliant, forcing Richards into a foul which earned him a yellow. Was booked for an incident with Tyrick Mitchell, but then won and converted the late penalty to earn all three points for Chelsea. Also helped defensively.
FW Armando Broja, N/R — Replaced Mudryk in the 71st minute and was released from the ball when first played in behind. He controlled Silva's ball brilliantly but fired into the side netting.
DF Alfie Gilchrist, N/R — Replaced Badiashile in the 92nd minute to make his first-team debut and looked keen to make his mark, making a whole-hearted tackle near the corner.
