Crystal Palace not only secured their first goal of the 2017/18 Premier League season but also clinched their first points in an outstanding display against title holder’s Chelsea.
The home side went ahead in the 11th minute after Cesar Azpilicueta turned Andros Townsend’s cross into his own net. The cross from Townsend originally fell into the path of Palace midfielder Yohan Cabaye who’s poor touch bounced off of the Chelsea defender and past Thibaut Courtois.
SEE ALSO:
(Photo) Superstar drops huge hint he could be joining Arsenal, Gunners sent into a frenzy
Man United face struggle to keep ahold of youngster, Chelsea and Arsenal both interested in starlet
Palace’s goal in the 11th minute was their first in over 12 hours of Premier League action with them failing to score at all so far this season. Roy Hodgson’s side started and finished strongly in today’s game after a more than disappointing start in the league so far this season.
Tiemoue Bakayoko momentarily saved the blushes of Chelsea fans on the 18th minute after Crystal Palace had gone ahead. The midfielder rose above every Crystal Palace player in the box on the 18th minute mark to nod the ball past Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni.
However, with seconds left in the first half – Wilfred Zaha stepped up to put Palace back ahead after latching onto a ball from Mamadou Sakho and firing past Courtois.
Palace held on to their lead in the second half and could have had even more goals as they continued to impress. Selhurst Park was rocking from start to finish as Hodgson’s side look to now carry this momentum on and change the course of their so-far disappointing season. Alternatively, Chelsea were extremely poor and will be counting down the days until N’Golo Kante and Alvaro Morata return from injury
Chelsea player ratings: Courtois 5, Azpilicueta 5, Luiz 6, Cahill 5, Alonso 5, Bakayoko 7, Fabregas 6, Moses 4, Hazard 5, Batshuayi 4, Willian 4.
Substitutes: Zappacosta 6, Pedro 5, Musonda 5.
Crystal Palace player ratings: Speroni 7, Ward 6, Sakho 8, Dann 6, van Aanholt 7, Milivojevic 7, Townsend 9, McArthur 7, Cabaye 7, Schlupp 6, Zaha 9
Substitutes: Puncheon 6, Fosu-Mensah N/A, Riedewald N/A.