Jean-Philippe Mateta scored late to save a point for Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, extending Chelsea’s winless Premier League streak to four games.
The Blues had a dismal finish to 2024, losing back-to-back games and going three games without a victory. This poor play has continued into 2025.
After 14 minutes, thanks to some excellent play from Jadon Sancho, Cole Palmer gave Chelsea the lead with his 13th league goal.
Chelsea tried to score more goals, but Josh Acheampong, Moises Caicedo, and Sancho all missed shots, while Nicolas Jackson missed three chances.
Only in the 35th minute, when goalie Robert Sanchez easily handled Jefferson Lerma’s shot, did Palace manage to produce an attempt on goal.
Chelsea nearly paid for their failure to score a second goal after dominating the first half, as Eberechi Eze’s shot went just wide shortly after the restart.
That was a sign that the game would become more evenly fought with Palace starting to ask questions of a faltering Chelsea.
The Blues still had further chances to shut out their opponents, although Jackson, Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez all fired wide.
Mateta met Eze’s square pass and tapped in from a few yards out to give Palace the equalizer with less than ten minutes remaining.
Chelsea remains fourth in the league, while the Eagles are now in 15th place after being undefeated in three games.
Plucky Palace deserves a point.
This match at Selhurst Park summed up Palace’s season: uneven.
With only 20 points from 19 games, the Eagles have struggled to gain traction in the first half of the season.
Palace’s lackluster first half, in which they hardly beat Chelsea, was offset by a far better showing in the second half.
Prior to halftime, Palace hardly ever attacked Sanchez’s goal, but in the second half, they displayed greater bravery by frequently entering Chelsea’s final third.
Only Everton, Ipswich, and Southampton have scored less than their 21 goals, so scoring goals is still a big worry for Oliver Glasner’s team. However, their ability to stay in games cannot be understated.
In the 82nd minute, Eze sent the ball across goal for Mateta, who converted it past Sanchez from six yards out, giving him a gift.
The draw gives Palace confidence that the new year will bring the consistency and momentum they have been seeking, but it also means they are still looking over their shoulder at the relegation zone, only six points above the bottom three.
Inability to convert expenses Chelsea
Chelsea was on a 12-game winning streak in all competitions just a few weeks ago, and they were being discussed as possible rivals to Liverpool for the Premier League crown.
As of the now, the Blues have lost their last two 2024 games, have not won in three, and are having trouble scoring.
Chelsea’s goal total of 39 is only surpassed by Liverpool and Tottenham, who have only scored twice in their last four games.
Following Palmer’s 13th goal of the season, Chelsea appeared to be in control and ought to have ended the match before halftime.
Jackson had the opportunity to score a hat-trick, but he lacked the clinical touch when it counted.
Chelsea finally lost the second half after failing to score on any of their six shots.
Chelsea’s attention will probably shift to securing a top-four position since they currently appear to be nine points behind Liverpool, who also have a game in hand.
