Chelsea left it late to secure a dramatic 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace on Wednesday night and, in turn, send themselves into the top-half of the table.
The hosts had initially taken the lead thanks to Mykhailo Mudryk, who applied a neat finish to a well-worked move inside the opening 15 minutes.
Eagles winger Michael Olise then levelled the score with a superb volley at the back-post right on the stroke of half-time.
Then, in the final moments, Noni Madueke was fouled inside the box before stepping up and converting the spot-kick to earn his side all three points.
So, here, Mail Sport’s AADAM PATEL rates both sets of players from Stamford Bridge.
CHELSEA (4-2-3-1)
Djordje Petrovic – 6
Could do nothing to stop Michael Olise’s equaliser but made a couple of crucial stops in the second half to deny Jean-Philippe Mateta and Olise. Decent showing.
Malo Gusto – 7
Brilliant energy all game down the left flank and a great assist to tee up Mykhailo Mudryk for the opening goal. More touches than anyone else on the evening.
Axel Disasi – 6
Shaky start but recovered and did well alongside Benoit Badiashile.
Benoit Badiashile – 6
Needed a quiet night after a couple of mistakes in recent games and got that.
Lewi Colwill – 5
Suffered a torrid evening at the hands of the terrific Olise. His poor decision to go for a header in first-half added time left Olise free to equalise after he missed the header. Subbed off just shy of the hour mark for Thiago Silva
Moises Caicedo – 5
Decent performance but perhaps should have spotted Olise running free for Palace’s equaliser. Inexplicably switched off and was made to pay. And for the price that was paid for him, surely he must be doing more.
Conor Gallagher – 6
Started the game as captain and led brilliantly against the side he spent a season on loan at in 2021-22. Wonderful ball to put Jackson through on goal in the second half, who hit it wide when it was harder to miss.
Mykhailo Mudryk – 7
In the right place at the right time and finished well to give Chelsea an early lead.
Slowly but surely beginning to show his quality at Stamford Bridge and could have had a second but was denied by Dean Henderson. Substituted off for Armando Broja with 20 minutes left.
Christopher Nkunku – 7
Impressive on his first Premier League start for the club but was, at times, operating on a different wavelength to the rest of the Chelsea side. Showed flashes of brilliance, particularly with his involvement in Mudryk’s goal. Could have done better with a first-half chance but headed over. Subbed off in the 70th minute for Noni Madueke.
Ian Maatsen – 5
Ineffective on the evening and unable to cope with the physicality of Palace. Could have got an early goal but his effort was cleared off the line by Tyrick Mitchell. Hooked off just before the hour mark by Pochettino for Romeo Lavia as Chelsea looked to restore control.
Nicolas Jackson – 6
A much-improved display after a tough day at the office against Wolves on Sunday though still lacking that clinical edge in front of goal. Failed to get his shot away when through on goal in the first-half and then missed a sitter in the second-half. And had his evening summed up when what he thought was a winner was disallowed after a VAR check for offside.
SUBS
Thiago Silva – 6
Came on just before the hour mark. Made a huge error late on that could have cost Chelsea the game but saved by Petrovic. Great cross for Jackson for the disallowed goal.
Romeo Lavia – 6
Impressive cameo on his debut. Tidy and plenty of cause for optimism for Chelsea fans.
Noni Madueke – 7
The match-winner. Got the penalty after coming on for Nkunku. Then took the responsibility to convert it in the absence of Raheem Sterling and Cole Palmer. Booked for a minor altercation with Mitchell.
Armando Broja – 6
Few bright sparks when he came on but will need to show so much more once Jackson goes to AFCON and he features more regularly.
CRYSTAL PALACE (4-2-3-1)
Dean Henderson – 6
Made some important saves to keep Palace in the game.
Nathaniel Clyne – 5
Poor game and failed to deal with Mudryk. Would have been relieved that Jackson’s goal was ruled out for offside.
Joachim Andersen – 6
Decent with the ball but guilty with the rest of the Palace back four of perhaps letting Chelsea in through the backline too frequently.
Marc Guehi – 6
An impressive display on his return to Stamford Bridge and a reminder that he is another one that Chelsea let get away.
Tyrick Mitchell – 6
The pick of the Palace defenders on the night. Booked late on for a minor altercation with Madueke.
Jefferson Lerma – 6
A decent showing in midfield and led the Palace press alongside Eberechi Eze.
Chris Richards – 6
Interrupted many of Chelsea’s attacks. Picked up a booking for breaking down a Chelsea counter and was accidentally shown a red card by the referee.
Michael Olise – 8
Quality performance and a superb finish to equalise. Terrorised Colwill down the flank and was unlucky not to get another goal in the second half.
Eberechi Eze – 5
A threat as always but ultimately cost his side with his late challenge on Madueke to give away the decisive penalty.
Jordan Ayew – 7
Worked his socks off all game and got the assist for Olise’s equaliser. Substituted for Jeffrey Schlupp in the 79th minute.
Jean-Philippe Mateta – 6
Caused Chelsea problems all night and unlucky not to get a goal early in the second half but was denied by Petrovic
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
