Chelsea vs. Crystal Palace: Winners and Losers from Premier League Game

Bakary Sako and Joel Ward scored in the second half to give Crystal Palace a 2-1 victory over Chelsea on Saturday at Stamford Bridge.

The visitors took the lead through the excellent Sako midway through the half, but substitute Radamel Falcao equalized for Chelsea in the 79th minute. Just two minutes later, however, Ward netted the winner to continue Palace's strong start to the season.

It was the second loss in four games this season for Chelsea, who have started their Premier League title defense in alarming form. And for coach Jose Mourinho, it was just a second home defeat in his 100th league game in charge at Stamford Bridge.

Here, B/R selects winners and losers from the game.

Winner: Bakary Sako

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Crystal Palace's Bakary Sako was the game's best player. The 27-year-old Mali international scored a goal, assisted another and proved a handful for Chelsea's defense all afternoon.

Sako's goal opened the scoring in the 65th minute. Pape Souare slotted a pass to Yannick Bolasie on the left, and Bolasie pulled back into the middle for Sako. After seeing his initial shot blocked by Cesar Azpilicueta, Sako fired high past Thibaut Courtois from close range.

Chelsea equalized in the 79th minute, but Sako played an integral role in Palace's winner just two minutes later. This time Bolasie hit a cross from the left toward the back post, where Sako knocked the ball down for Ward. The right-back headed in from close range.

That capped an impressive day for Sako, who finished with five shots (three on target), four crosses and an 86.4 percent pass-conversion rate (stats via WhoScored.com). And as noted above, he troubled Chelsea throughout his 81 minutes in the match, popping up in dangerous positions across the attacking third.

Sako, who joined Palace from Wolverhampton Wanderers in the summer, is looking like a fine signing for the London club. Sako led Wolves in scoring last season in the championship and has started the current top-flight campaign in great form. As noted by Opta, Sako has scored five times and assisted four goals in his last nine league games.

Palace and manager Alan Pardew will be hoping that run continues throughout the season. If it does, the Eagles will be a dangerous side.

Loser: Branislav Ivanovic

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It's been a rough start to the season for Chelsea right-back Branislav Ivanovic. In the season opener against Swansea City, the 31-year-old Serb had a torrid time defending Jefferson Montero. And on Saturday, he again appeared to be the weak link in the Blues defense.

Palace clearly targeted Ivanovic from the start, consistently creating dangerous attacks down their left flank. Both of the goals came from crosses from that side of the pitch, and by full time, Ivanovic looked absolutely gassed.

It's too early to say Ivanovic is finished. He remains a talented footballer, especially in the attacking third. But Chelsea's opponents are having success attacking his side this season, and that has to be a concern for Blues manager Jose Mourinho.

Winner: Crystal Palace and Alan Pardew

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Crystal Palace might just be the surprise package of the 2015-16 Premier League season. The Eagles fully deserved their victory over Chelsea on Saturday, and Alan Pardew has a talented squad that can play entertaining, effective football.

Faced with a daunting trip to Stamford Bridge to play the defending champions, Palace showed no fear. The Eagles attacked brilliantly and defended resolutely. At the back, Pardew's men refused to park the bus but still managed to close down space efficiently as Chelsea attacked. In the attacking end, Bakary Sako is a thrilling talent, while Yannick Bolasie, Yohan Cabaye and others provide plenty of eye-catching skill.

Palace have won both of their away matches this season, continuing their good run of form on their opponents' turfs. As for Pardew, he's become the first manager to beat Jose Mourinho three times in the league, per Squawka.

"We can frighten teams with our pace and we did that from start to finish," Pardew told BBC Sport. "Our defenders had to defend really well and they did. We've added new players but haven't lost our spirit. We have got technically better players than last season."

He added: "I'm not saying we're contenders for Europe, but we're a good side."

When he took over last winter, Pardew inherited a team that was in a relegation scrap and guided them to a top-half finish. Through four matches of the new season, the Eagles are flying high in second place (though Manchester United can take over second spot with a win on Sunday). 

Based on form, that's exactly where they ought to be.

Loser: Chelsea's Title Defense

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Chelsea lost just three matches in winning the title last season. Through four matches in the new campaign, the Blues have already lost twice and collected just four points. Perhaps more worryingly for manager Jose Mourinho, those four games have seen Chelsea concede nine goals.

How alarming is all this?

According to Opta, only Blackburn Rovers have started a post-title-winning season with fewer points through four games (though Manchester United won the title in 2007-08 and 2008-09 after starting both of those seasons with five points through four matches). In addition, Opta notes that Chelsea's defensive record through four games is the club's worst since 1971-72.

This is particularly concerning precisely because all the best Mourinho sides are built on defense. In 2004-05, for instance, the Blues conceded 15 goals all season. Through four games of the current campaign, Chelsea have let in nine—or 60 percent of that total.

At the Guardian, Barney Ronay wrote:

"

Chelsea started the day in 10th place and with a sense of having spent the early weeks of the season crunching around in the high gears. Defeat here is hardly disastrous, but the nature of the performance from a Chelsea team lacking not just leadership, but energy and precision in too many positions will trouble Jose Mourinho. After the final whistle here Chelsea's manager made a point of refusing to concede the Premier League title. Which, given that it's still August, perhaps tells its own story.

"

It might not be disastrous, but it could very well be damaging. The successful title challenge of 2014-15 started with a blistering run to start the season. In winning their first four matches—and going unbeaten in their first 14—Chelsea gave themselves the perfect platform to win the league. 

So far, 2015-16 is shaping up to be quite different. With Manchester City storming out of the gates with four wins from four, Chelsea might find themselves too far off the pace too soon to mount a serious challenge. 

Mourinho must act decisively in the transfer window to address his squad's deficiencies. 

Winner: Radamel Falcao

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Radamel Falcao entered the match as a substitute for Willian in the 66th minute and scored 13 minutes later. It was a crucial goal for Chelsea because it was the equalizer at the time, and Falcao must be pleased at the individual level to have broken a personal drought.

The goal was a stooping header, converted from a tight angle at the near post. It highlighted the Colombian's scoring instincts and eye for goal.

According to ESPN Stats & Info, Falcao had gone 17 games without scoring in the Premier League, the longest stretch of that sort in his career. Saturday's goal doesn't mean the Colombian is back to his best (pre-knee-injury) form, but it should give him confidence as he attempts to make an impression with the Premier League champions.