Crystal Palace vs. Chelsea: Score, Grades and Reaction from Premier League Game
Chelsea recorded a routine 2-1 win against Crystal Palace on Saturday, continuing their unbeaten start to the 2014-15 Premier League season.
The match got off to a blistering pace with both clubs pushing forward. Thibaut Courtois was forced into making an excellent save after just two minutes, after Fraizer Campbell found some space on the edge of the box.
Oscar opened the scoring for the visitors just minutes later with a stunning free kick, prompting World Soccer Talk to make this pun:
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Palace refused to back down and immediately went in search of an equaliser, and Campbell nearly found the goal with a superb blast from range. The striker remained a handful for the defenders, directing a shot just wide after 15 minutes.
The insanely high pace started to fade as the first half came to a close, but just as fans started preparing for half-time, the match took a dramatic turn.
Cesar Azpilicueta received a straight red card for a challenge on Mile Jedinak, and while the results of the challenge weren't as severe, Bleacher Report's Rik Sharma understood the official's decision:
Jose Mourinho immediately made a change, subbing Willian for Filipe Luis, and just one minute later, parity was restored: Damien Delaney saw his second yellow for a tug on Willian, reducing the hosts to 10 men as well.
Palace claimed a hand ball just before half-time, but Craig Pawson was unmoved as the score was 1-0 after 45 minutes.
The Mirror's Martin Lipton didn't agree with the fans' harsh assessment of Pawson's performance:
The Blues came out of the dressing room with intensity looking to take advantage of the space, and they were immediately rewarded when Cesc Fabregas doubled their lead in the 51st minute.
Phenomenal build-up play through Branislav Ivanovic and Oscar sent the Spain international through on goal, and he gave Julian Speroni no chance.
The second goal seemed to deflate the hosts, who were able to hold the ball in the centre of the pitch but couldn't get anywhere near Courtois. Instead, it was Chelsea pushing for a third as the fixture entered the final minutes, with Oscar and Eden Hazard nearly converting.
Chelsea were comfortable just passing the ball around and waiting for the final whistle, preserving their unbeaten start to the season. Campbell had other ideas, however, finally getting a well-deserved goal at the end of regulation. A late push yielded no results, as the visitors emerged victorious 2-1.
Grades
Fraizer Campbell: B+
Lively, mobile and generally a handful for the defence, Campbell was the heart and soul of Palace's attack in the first half. Better finishing early may have led to a different outcome, but the 27-year-old created most of his chances himself and deserves a lot of credit.
Oscar: A
The Brazil international doesn't get many starts these days, and there's no better way to convince your coach to give you more minutes than putting in a man-of-the-match performance.
Oscar was excellent in possession and combined very well with Fabregas, getting all the little things right and contributing on the score sheet.
Cesc Fabregas: B+
Diego Costa deserves all of the praise he gets, but Chelsea's (and the Premier League's) best summer signing remains Fabregas. The Spaniard runs the Blues' midfield areas, finds passing lanes where there shouldn't be any and added his first league goal for his new club on Saturday. Job well done.
Post-Match Reaction
Mourinho simply couldn't get over the quality of the second goal, as shared by TheChelseaViews:
"Mourinho: "The second goal was a scandal. It is unbelievably good."
— TheChelseaViews (@TheChelseaViews) October 18, 2014"
"Mourinho: "Against Burnley we scored a goal (Schurrle) which I thought would be our goal of the season but this (Fabregas) is just as good."
— TheChelseaViews (@TheChelseaViews) October 18, 2014"
The manager was satisfied with his team's performance:
"Jose: "My team had a fantastic performance. From minute one we did what we wanted to do, have the ball, use the ball & control the game."
— TheChelseaViews (@TheChelseaViews) October 18, 2014"
Post-Match Outlook
Chelsea remain unbeaten in 2014-15 and maintain their five-point lead over Manchester City. A trip to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United is next on the schedule, and the surging Red Devils will give the Blues a stern challenge.
It's too early for Crystal Palace to start panicking, but the Eagles are dangerously close to the relegation zone. A strong run of results is needed to avoid having to play to win by the time the January transfer market opens.
