Chelsea vs. Crystal Palace: Score and Reaction from 2015 Premier League Match

Jose Mourinho's 100th Premier League home game in charge of Chelsea ended on a sour note when Crystal Palace left Stamford Bridge with a shock 2-1 win. Defender Joel Ward netted the decisive strike after substitute Radamel Falcao had equalised for the hosts.

As Bleacher Report UK's Instagram highlighted, Chelsea now have the second-lowest points total to start a Premier League title defence through four games:

Winger Bakary Sako scored the game's first goal and caused Chelsea right-back Branislav Ivanovic a host of problems all afternoon. With support from Wilfried Zaha, Palace were a major threat from both flanks.

But Chelsea felt aggrieved when stand-in centre-back Kurt Zouma was denied a first-half penalty claim. The Blues' official Twitter feed showed the incident:

Still, that couldn't mask how shaky Mourinho's men were in defence, nor how unconvincing they were in attack.

Chelsea's main team news was young Frenchman Zouma entering the starting 11 in place of suspended skipper John Terry. Elsewhere, Mourinho put Brazilian Willian in the No. 10 role.

Here's what the full 11, which included recent signing Pedro, looked like:

As for Palace, dynamic winger Yannick Bolasie started on the bench following his return from compassionate leave after the death of his father. Connor Wickham spearheaded the Palace forward line, while Yohan Cabaye marshaled the midfield.

The club's Twitter account revealed the full team:

Palace won a pair of corners early as part of some dangerous play down the wings from Zaha and Sako. Speaking of Zaha, B/R's Garry Hayes felt Mourinho made a tactical shift to help out right-back Ivanovic:

Chelsea's early passing was a little aimless as Palace defended deep in numbers. Eagles manager Alan Pardew's tactics were clear: soak up pressure and counter along the flanks.

For most of the first 20 minutes, the Blues were reduced to longer shots from outside the area. Willian lashed one over the bar, while Pedro put a shot just past the post. Meanwhile, Sako remained a threat for Palace.

Despite fairly tame fare from the hosts, Hayes felt like Pedro was having a positive influence on the way Chelsea attacked:

Zouma was then denied a penalty after appearing to be bundled over in a crowded box during a melee from a Chelsea corner. But Palace were holding firm and stayed comfortable keeping the reigning Premier League champions at bay.

Chelsea's frustration was predictably most obvious with fiery striker Diego Costa, who consistently scrapped with Palace defender Damien Delaney.

Meanwhile, Zaha continued to torment Ivanovic. He teed up Cabaye, who spurned a fantastic chance by trying to deftly place his shot instead of putting his laces through it.

Pedro and Cesc Fabregas wasted a good chance as the half concluded with the score goalless.

The early minutes of the second half saw Ivanovic, who was having a torrid time, nearly deflect a cross into his own net. At the other end, Delaney blocked a Costa shot.

But it was Palace on the front foot as their wingers continued to cause problems. Pardew turned up the heat when he introduced Bolasie for Zaha.

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Wickham might have scored from a corner 10 minutes into the half. It was a reflection of Palace's growing belief. But Delaney still had to block another Costa effort as the game really opened up.

The frenetic pace suited Palace when Sako deservedly got his goal. He'd previously cleared a Gary Cahill header off the line. His next action was to slot a right-footed finish past Thibaut Courtois.

Mourinho certainly wasn't enjoying his milestone day, per Sky Sports Football:

In response, the Chelsea gaffer brought on striker Falcao and Brazilian youngster Kenedy. Hayes felt bringing the latter on was a big statement:

Mourinho put Kenedy at left-back for Cesar Azpilicueta. Yet it was Palace still posing a threat. Again, all the danger was coming from the left flank against the hapless Ivanovic:

Bolasie then wasted a great chance after a superb cross from the still-dangerous Sako. Mourinho had hooked Nemanja Matic for Ruben Loftus-Cheek in midfield, but that made little difference. Bolasie then curled a shot narrowly over the bar.

Falcao found the equaliser after fine work from Pedro. But Joel Ward answered almost instantly to put Palace back in front. Yet again, the danger started on the left.

Palace survived late pressing from Chelsea with some heroic blocks from defenders and good work from goalkeeper Alex McCarthy. Central defender Scott Dann proved particularly valuable.

Afterward, a disappointed Mourinho focused his ire on the referee not awarding Zouma's penalty claim in the first half:

Interestingly, Mourinho indicated not all of his players were at the necessary level for the game:

By contrast, Pardew praised his side's application and ambition going forward:

Pardew gave the performance top billing among his achievements as Palace boss:

Former Palace striker Mark Bright expressed his delight at the shock three points:

Back to Chelsea, two players Mourinho perhaps surprisingly refused to blame were centre-back pairing Zouma and Cahill:

Mourinho is obviously reluctant to single out players amid what is a definite defensive crisis this season. Admittedly, it was the full-backs who were most culpable on this occasion. They certainly lacked support from wide players.

Ultimately, the Chelsea boss noted everyone, including himself, has to improve to right the ship:

Despite his team's torrid start, Mourinho is refusing to concede this season's title race:

Mourinho is right not to rule Chelsea out of the title race so early. Yet despite his bravado, his team had better improve fast.

The result leaves Chelsea facing a big gap to league-leaders Manchester City:

For Palace, the result is confirmation of their quality in attack, as well as the strides the club has made since Pardew took over. But the big story is Chelsea's stuttering title defence, with just one win and four points from four matches and nine goals conceded.