Chelsea ended 2024 on a somber note, suffering two major blows in the final days of December against Fulham and Ipswich. These defeats shattered the hopes of many fans who believed the team might mount a serious challenge for the league title. Enzo Maresca’s side, through these losses, reminded everyone of the lethargy that plagued Chelsea during the tenures of Graham Potter and Mauricio Pochettino. However, the team hoped to break their poor form and start the New Year with a win in their away match against Crystal Palace. The two-time European champions seemed to be on the right track, leading through Cole Palmer’s goal from the 14th minute until the 81st minute. But in the closing stages, Jean-Philippe Mateta capitalized on one of several clear chances Palace created in the second half, securing a 1-1 draw. Chelsea did not deserve to win at Selhurst Park, as they were the better team only in the first 30 minutes. Before the equalizer, Palace missed at least three major opportunities. Eberechi Eze twice lacked composure in the final moments, sending the ball wide from near-perfect positions, and Robert Sánchez denied a certain goal with a spectacular save following a powerful header from Chris Richards.🚨🏴 GOAL | Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea | Cole PalmerCOLE PALMER OPENS THE SCORING FOR CHELSEA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/269JIlcsWq— fabrizio Romanio son (@Funds4uu) January 4, 2025 🚨🏴 GOAL | Crystal Palace 1-1 Chelsea | MatetaMATETA HAS EQUALIZED FOR CRYSTAL PALACE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!pic.twitter.com/Pu8HCPtJWe— Tekkers Foot (@tekkersfoot) January 4, 2025 Enzo Maresca has been indecisive this autumn about including Jadon Sancho in Chelsea’s starting lineup. The Italian coach frequently changes his decisions—Sancho started against Fulham, came on for the last 25 minutes against Ipswich, and today was given the nod to start in the city derby. That decision paid off in the first half. Although Cole Palmer scored the goal in the 14th minute, most of the credit goes to Sancho. The winger deceived his marker with a clever turn and sprinted down the flank, doing all the hard work before delivering a perfect assist to Palmer, who was positioned 10 meters from Crystal Palace’s goal. Possibly England’s best footballer over the past year and a half, Palmer calmly beat Dean Henderson to give Chelsea the lead. Despite holding the lead until the 82nd minute, Chelsea’s defensive line was far from reliable. Ironically, the equalizer stemmed from a mistake by Palmer, the scorer of their goal. The young forward lost possession in midfield, allowing Eberechi Eze to storm down the wing and set up Mateta, who was unmarked in an ideal position to make it 1-1. This result further deepens Chelsea’s troubles, leaving them nine points behind league leaders Liverpool, despite having played two more matches.ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 20Saturday Tottenham – Newcastle 1-2 (1-2)/Solanke 4 – Gordon 6, Isak 38/Aston Villa – Leicester (8.00)/Barkley 58, Bailey 76 – Mavididi 63/Bournemouth – Everton 1-0 (0-0)/Brooks 77/Crystal Palace – Chelsea 1-1 (0-1)/Mateta 82 – Cole 14/Man.City – West Ham 4-1 (2-0)/Coufal (og) 10, Haaland 42, 55, Foden 58 – Fullkrug 71/Southampton – Brentford 0-5(0-1)/Chade 6, Mbuemo 62, 69, Wissa 90+2, Lewis Potter 90+5/20.30: (4.30) Brighton (3.60) Arsenal (1.85)Sunday 17.00: (1.57) Fulham (4.00) Ipswich (6.00)19.30: (1.33) Liverpool (5.50) Man.Utd. (8.50)Monday23.00: (3.20) Wolverhampton (3.30) Nott.Forest (2.30)***odds are subject to change***
