Chelsea 2-1 Crystal Palace: Noni Madueke’s late penalty sees Blues back into top 10 of Premier League

Noni Madueke’s penalty a minute from time secured victory for Chelsea against Crystal Palace.

Chelsea pressed more in the late stages and lively substitute Madueke was brought down by Eberechi Eze and though the referee initially did not give it, VAR prompted the referee to check the video screen and he then pointed to the spot.

The Blues had far the better of the first half and got reward when Malo Gusto pulled back from the by-line for Mykhailo Mudryk to side-foot home.

Palace levelled on the stroke of half time through their star man Michael Olise, who brought down Jordan Ayew’s cross on his chest and then crashed home low inside the near post on the half-volley.

The Blues’ substitutions gave them impetus late in the game and after Nicolas Jackson missed an easy chance and then had a goal disallowed by VAR, the late spot kick ultimately gave the hosts their third straight Premier League home win and 12th in succession against the Eagles.

Chelsea move up to 10th while Palace are 15th, just three points above the relegation zone.

Less than 10 months after he arrived at Palace – replacing Patrick Vieira – and expertly steered the club to survival, questions will be asked in the Crystal Palace boardroom whether the former England manager is the best man to attempt to do so again this season.

After no wins in seven games, The Eagles are just a victory above the bottom three now and with Luton playing better than Palace at present this gap could be wiped out. Nottingham Forest sacking Steve Cooper gives them an option of a manager with a history of working with young England talent and, unlike Hodgson last year, a replacement who could stay in the job long-term.

In most years losing narrowly at Chelsea would not be a result to reflect negatively on a side, but Palace faced the youngest ever Premier League side – without star man Cole Palmer – and still for the vast majority of the first half and in last 20 minutes they were totally outplayed.

It is certainly fair to consider whether another manager would get more out of the Palace players.

He has taken some time to settle into the Blues line-up since his move from Lyon in the summer, but the France international was all class on Wednesday.

His cross-field traversing run without the ball led to him being in position to set up Chelsea’s goals and he was involved in most good attacking moves the hosts had in the first half. He was just as strong defensively, whether on the right initially or when moved to the left when Thiago Silva came on.

Chelsea: Petrovic 6; Gusto 9*, Disasi 6, Badiashile 6, Colwill 6; Caicedo 6, Gallagher 7; Maatsen 7, Mudryk 7, Nkunku 6; Jackson 5.

Subs: Thiago Silva 7, Lavia 6, Madueke 7, Broja 6, Gilchrist (n/a).

Crystal Palace: Henderson 6,; Clyne 6, Andersen 6, Guehi 6, Mitchell 7; Richards 7, Lerma 6; Olise 8, Eze 6, Ayew 5; Mateta 6.

Subs: Schlupp 6, Franca 6.

13′ GOAL FOR CHELSEA! Mudryk slots home from six yards out after Gusto, who started the move on the right flank, popped up on the left by-line to pull back to him.

22′ HENDERSON WITH FINE SAVE Mudryk was through on goal but the Palace stopper spread himself and blocked the Ukrainian winger scoring his second.

45′ GOAL FOR PALACE! Ayew’s ball finds Olise at the back post and he controls the ball beautifully on his chest before smashing home low inside the near post on the half-volley.

74′ GALLAGHER WITH FANTASTIC BALL FOR JACKSON He was through on goal one-on-one but as Henderson ran out he clipped a ball wide of the goal.

76′ GOAL FOR CHELSEA! Jackson makes the fans forget about that miss. Thiago Silva is deflected into his path at the back post and the summer signing pokes a foot at the ball and it flies low inside the goal.

78′ GOAL RULED OUT! Jackson was slightly offside when the ball was played in. You have to feel for the striker.

85′ MADUEKE GOES DOWN IN AREA! VAR are checking for a penalty as Madueke ran into Eze, but meanwhile the Palace man dribbled into the opposing area but lost the ball.

88′ PENALTY GIVEN! It looked clear on the replay. Madueke touched it to the left of Eze and then the Palace man obstructed him getting the ball, knee on knee.

89′ GOAL FOR CHELSEA! With no Cole Palmer in the side, Madueke takes the kick and sends Henderson the wrong way.