Jean-Philippe Mateta’s late equalizer salvaged a point for Crystal Palace as they held Chelsea to a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon. Cole Palmer’s brilliant opener for Chelsea was canceled out in the 82nd minute, ensuring both teams shared the spoils.
Match Summary
Chelsea dominated possession early on and made their breakthrough in the 14th minute when Cole Palmer latched onto a precise cross from Jadon Sancho, drilling the ball into the bottom corner for his 13th Premier League goal of the season.
However, the Blues were unable to extend their lead despite sustained pressure. Crystal Palace capitalized on their resilience late in the game, with Eberechi Eze setting up Jean-Philippe Mateta, who calmly slotted the ball home to level the score.
Chelsea’s failure to convert their dominance into goals stretched their winless Premier League run to four matches. While they remain in fourth place, they are now nine points adrift of league leaders Liverpool. Meanwhile, Palace, sitting 15th, continued their unbeaten streak to three games and widened the gap from the relegation zone to six points.
Key Moments
– 14th Minute: Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea – Cole Palmer expertly controlled Jadon Sancho’s cross before finding the bottom corner with a composed finish.
– 82nd Minute: Crystal Palace 1-1 Chelsea – Jean-Philippe Mateta turned Eberechi Eze’s precise cross into the back of the net, completing Palace’s comeback.
Player of the Match
Andres Muñoz (Crystal Palace) – The Colombian wing-back delivered a standout performance, neutralizing Chelsea’s attack while contributing significantly to Palace’s defensive solidity. He registered five successful tackles and completed 23 of his 31 passes.
Match Stats
Possession: Crystal Palace 38% – 62% Chelsea
Shots: Crystal Palace 13 – 15 Chelsea
Shots on Target: Crystal Palace 6 – 1 Chelsea
Corners: Crystal Palace 6 – 6 Chelsea
Fouls: Crystal Palace 9 – 12 Chelsea
What’s Next?
Both teams shift focus to the FA Cup third round. Chelsea will host Morecambe at Stamford Bridge on January 11, while Crystal Palace welcomes Stockport County on January 12.
In Premier League action, Chelsea faces Bournemouth at home on January 14, while Palace travels to Leicester City on January 15.
