Chelsea eased to a straightforward 4-1 win at Palace, reassuring that last week’s capitulation was merely a minor blip. Goals from Kai Havertz, Christian Pulisic and Kurt Zouma within the first 30 minutes ensured a comfortable evening for the Blues. Pulisic then completed his brace in the second half after Christian Benteke had reduced the arrears with the hosts’ only attempt of the game. The win sees Blues move back into the top-four, at least until West Ham’s game against Leicester. Chelsea are still unbeaten on their travels under Thomas Tuchel.
Team News
Crystal Palace
They remained unchanged from the 1-1 draw at Everton last time. Only changes were on the substitute’s bench.
Chelsea
Tuchel made five changes from the 5-2 loss to West Brom. In came Antonio Rudiger, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Ben Chilwell, Mason Mount and Kai Havertz.
A statement performance by Chelsea
Right from the get-go, Chelsea showed hunger, zest, and passion which was missing in the last few games. Some slick one-touch passing was on show and it was soon rewarded with Kai Havertz’s first goal under Tuchel. Just two minutes later, Pulisic blasted the ball into the roof of the net from Havertz’s assist, prompting memories of his goal at Selhurst Park last season. Havertz then tested Vicente Guaita with a sharp low drive after an excellent first touch. Just as Palace maybe thought they are getting back into the game, a Mason Mount free-kick was headed home by Zouma for his fifth of the season. Zouma is now leading the goal scoring charts for defenders this season.
In the second half, Hodgson changed his team’s shape and tactics. Crystal Palace were looking to press Chelsea higher up the pitch. This approach was rewarded as Christian Benteke scored with a thumping header to spark life into the contest. Havertz, central to the action once again, had another chance but his early shot was saved by Guaita. Eventually, the Blues killed the game when Pulisic latched onto Reece James’ deflected cross from close range. Havertz could have had a hattrick but his right footed shot from close range was once again saved by Guaita.
Ultimately a 4-1 win for Chelsea, a big statement made as they recorded their biggest win under Tuchel.
What does it mean for the league table?
Crystal Palace had slipped to 13th after Wolves’ win on Friday, and remained there after this defeat. They could end the matchweek in 14th if Southampton win at West Brom.
Liverpool’s last-gasp win against Aston Villa meant Chelsea started the game in sixth. But with the win, they moved back into the top-four, two points above West Ham and Liverpool. West Ham have a chance to regain fourth when they host Leicester today.
Crystal Palace 1-4 Chelsea: Opta Stats
- Crystal Palace have lost each of their last seven Premier League games against Chelsea – only against Tottenham (nine consecutive matches between September 2015 – September 2019) have the Eagles lost more games consecutively versus a specific opponent in their Football League history.
- Chelsea are yet to lose on the road under Thomas Tuchel in the Premier League (P6 W4 D2) – the only Blues manager to avoid defeat in his first six away games in the competition was Felipe Scolari (unbeaten in first 10).
- None of the last 20 Premier League meetings between Crystal Palace and Chelsea have ended as a draw – only Newcastle vs Spurs between August 1999 and December 2010 has had a longer run of games without a drawn game in the competition (21).
- Chelsea scored two goals within the opening 10 minutes of a Premier League game for the first time since January 2018 against Brighton (6 minutes), while there were just 102 seconds separating Kai Havertz’s opener and Christian Pulisic’s strike for the Blues.
- Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic has scored more Premier League goals against Crystal Palace than against any other side (4), while the only Americans to score more than Pulisic (13) in the competition are Clint Dempsey (57) and Brian McBride (36).
Up Next
Crystal Palace travel to Leicester City on Tuesday, 27th April in the Premier League.
Chelsea have a home tie against FC Porto this Tuesday in the Champion’s League.