Crystal Palace finally got their Premier League season underway by beating reigning champions Chelsea 2-1 at Selhurst Park on Saturday.
Wilfried Zaha’s superb 45th minute strike ultimately proved to be the winner on the night. Chelsea found themselves on the backfoot within the first 11 minutes, after a Yohan Cabaye strike was deflected into goal by Cesar Azpilicueta. They did however, get back in it thanks to Tiemoue Bakayoko.
However Antonio Conte’s men couldn’t muster a comeback in the second half, despite coming close on a few occasions. With a mere 13 points from 8 games, they are 9 points away from the top.
César Azpilicueta is now Crystal Palace’s top goalscorer for the 2017/18 Premier League season so far…#CRYCHE pic.twitter.com/YTFjEGKXQ8
— BenchWarmers ⚽️ (@BeWarmers) October 14, 2017
Azpilicueta own goal. My fpl is cancelled
— Morgan.. (@General_Edd) October 14, 2017
11 mins: Palace score their first goal of the season
18 mins: Bakayoko equalises for Chelsea
— kwiff (@KwiffOfficial) October 14, 2017
Bakayoko makes it 1-1. First shot of the game for Chelsea. #CRYCHE
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) October 14, 2017
38 – Since joining Chelsea in August 2014, Cesc Fabregas has recorded 38 assists; five more than any other @premierleague player. Magic. pic.twitter.com/ySh5Rs0Goy
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 14, 2017
Chelsea’s relief would be short lived however, as Wilfried Zaha scored the equaliser just before the two sides separated for half time.
Crystal Palace have scored. And this time it’s one of their own players that’s scored. Haha it’s Zaha.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) October 14, 2017
ZAHA
ZAHA
ZAHA
WE SCORE WHEN WE WANT pic.twitter.com/dZ276Mjxzy
— DrAwakeStephen (@AwakeStephen) October 14, 2017
Wilfried Zaha is the first Crystal Palace player to score in the Premier League this season.
Yohan Cabaye’s effort was ruled an own goal. pic.twitter.com/OsSt8qx25s
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) October 14, 2017
Wilfred Zaha is Crystal Palace.
— Mohamed ElNneny (@ElNnenyM) October 14, 2017
6 – Chelsea have lost 6 of the 7 previous PL games when trailing at half-time under Conte – winning against Man City in Dec 2016. Uphill.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 14, 2017
Something’s up with Azpilicueta today. Looks tired. That was way too easy for Zaha.
— Chelsea HQ ? (@Chelsea_HQ) October 14, 2017
Victor Moses’ hamstring gave away in the first half, which gave Antonio Conte another injury headache.
Morata hamstring v City…
Kante hamstring on international duty…
Moses hamstring v Palace…
Give us a bloody break
— Uber Chelsea FC ? (@UberCheIseaFC) October 14, 2017
After that, it just seemed to go all downhill for the Blues.
Fabregas has been by far Chelsea’s biggest threat. Almost equalises. Any Chelsea goal robs Palace of the win they deserve at this stage
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) October 14, 2017
Great ball from Fabregas, superb run from Musonda. A woeful finish. Still 2-1 Palace with just over 15 minutes to go
— Oliver Harbord (@ojharbord) October 14, 2017
PALACE 2-1 CHELSEA
87: WHAT A MISS! Van Aanholt should seal it for Palace after Courtois spills Townsend’s long-range shot
— Football HQ (@Football___HQ) October 14, 2017
i’m not quite sure what this was from Gary Cahill, but it wasn’t defense. thank heavens for Courtois. #CFC pic.twitter.com/To0jfEB5Lv
— amadí (@amadoit__) October 14, 2017
Who’d have thought the game Palace could use to kick start their season after 7 straight losses would be Chelsea. #CFC awful today.
— Breathe Chelsea (@BreatheChels) October 14, 2017
FT: Palace 2-1 Chelsea. Wonderful and deserved win from the bottom of the table side. Kante & Morata missed for #CFC but that’s no excuse
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) October 14, 2017
Few positives from the palace game:
Fabregas is world class
Musonda minutes
Zappacosta looks great
That’s all folks
— DemalArrowYT (@DemalArrowYT) October 14, 2017
Chelsea will sack Conte and hire Ancelloti. Save this tweet!
— Biobaku Soliu (@kesmalindoHQ) October 14, 2017
Only Chelsea could make Atletico Madrid look like Crystal Palace and Crystal Palace look like Atletico Madrid in the space of 3 weeks…
— CFC. (@ConteMindset) October 14, 2017
Conte: ‘I don’t like to lose. Today my soul is bad. We must try to turn a negative situation into a positive situation.’ #CRYCHE
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) October 14, 2017
2 – Chelsea have lost consecutive Premier League games under Antonio Conte for just the second time (also September 2016). Glum. pic.twitter.com/9TzKmp4wSl
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 14, 2017
Zaha was turning Azpilicueta like power steering all game
— O O (@otoiks) October 14, 2017
Unforgivable to essentially enter a season with 1 striker. Michy can’t lead the line/isn’t trusted, Hazard at false 9 doesn’t work. #CFC
— Jack Barton (@jack_barton_8) October 14, 2017
Batshuayi had 0 shots, 69.2% passing accuracy and 19 touches in his first away league start for Chelsea. #CRYCHE
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) October 14, 2017
You honestly can’t blame Conte. Board has given him Zero support.
— ΞNinno (@NinnoJackJr) October 14, 2017