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Roy Hodgson has never faced a more demanding challenge in his managerial career than what he is currently experiencing. And just to make matters harder, his relegation-riddled Crystal Palace team welcomed a tough challenge in the Premier League Champions to Selhurst Park.
However, after a surprisingly bright start, Crystal Palace took the lead through a Yohan Cabaye strike in the 11th minute. However, their joy was short-lived as the PL Champions equalised seven minutes later through a Tiemoue Bakayoko header from a Cesc Fabregas corner.
Before halftime, a piece of Wilfred Zaha magic shockingly put the Eagles 2-1 up. This lead was enough to see the Eagles through until full time.
Crystal Palace have now won their first game of the season and incredibly, it’s come against the reigning Champions. The win still leaves Palace at the bottom of the table, but it’s a huge step in the right direction. As for Chelsea, they now trail Manchester City by 9 points.
Here are the five biggest talking points from the game.
#5 Tiemoue Bakayoko could become a constant threat from set-pieces
As a reserved box-to-box midfielder in a counter-attacking 3-4-3 system, Tiemoue Bakayoko was never going to be an attacking threat at Chelsea. In his previous 6 appearances, the Frenchman has only assisted once, averaging 57 touches per match.
However, for a man of his physical stature, he should be scoring many more headers. And at Selhurst Park, he decided to capitalise on that physical advantage. In the 18th minute, the 6 foot 2 powerhouse leaped above the Palace defence to equalise for the Champions.
If the Frenchman can become an asset from set pieces, he’ll provide Antonio Conte with an fresh weapon.
#4 Davide Zappacosta makes a strong case for a starting spot
It’s a surprise as to why Antonio Conte bought one of the most attacking wing-backs in Serie A just to put him on the bench. So when Victor Moses came off injured in the 40th minute, it provided an opportunity for the Italian to showcase his talents. Davide Zappacosta signed for Chelsea for £23m and this was only his second league appearance for the club.
And the Italian did not disappoint at all, he was Chelsea’s main source of attacking threat throughout the second half. In his 50 minutes of playing time, he had 53 touches of the ball down the right flank, successfully completed 20 passes and created 2 chances for his teammates.
#3 Wilfried Zaha is back and Crystal Palace can breathe easy
When the chips are down and everything is going against you, you must apply the famous phrase: ‘necessity is the mother of invention.’
Injuries to Connor Wickham and Christian Benteke have forced Roy Hodgson to think outside the box when it pertains to attacking options. The returning Wilfried Zaha gave Hodgson the option of playing him up front and the Ivorian did not disappoint.
Zaha was a constant thorn in the side of Chelsea’s back three, using his pace and trickery to torment them. The 24-year-old successfully completed 6 dribbles, had 2 shots on target, had 35 touches in the final third, created 2 chances and scored the winning goal.
#2 Eden Hazard still not at his best
We’re 8 games into the season and Chelsea’s star man is still not producing the goods for the Blues. He was injured for the first few games but since coming back, he’s been more of a hindrance than an asset for Antonio Conte.
When the Blues needed him most against a low-block Palace side, the Belgian shied away into the shadows.
As the left-sided attacker in a front three, Hazard’s job was to cut inside and create overloads on the Palace CBs but instead, he aimlessly floated around the final third struggling to make any impact.
The 26-year-old did not create a single chance and was dispossessed twice. The Balon d’Or contender showed us why he’s never really truly reached the heights projected for him.
#1 Crystal Palace break their duck
Before this game, Roy Hodgson’s Palace had already gone down in history as the team to make the worst start to a Premier League campaign ever. Seven consecutive defeats without a scoring a single goal made the visit of Chelsea an even more daunting prospect.
However, the Eagles started the better of the two teams, coming close twice in the opening five minutes.Their effort was rewarded in the 11th minute as Yohan Cabaye latched onto a wobbly cross to poke home from 9 yards.
If that wasn’t enough, Wilfred Zaha decided to add another in the 45th minute. It’s like London buses, you wait seven games for one and then two come at the same time.
Zaha's goal was amazing and it came after a world-class interception from Mamadou Sakho led to Wilfred Zaha mesmerizingly taking the ball around Azpilicueta to then slot it past Thibaut Courtois. With that, Palace were able to go into the break 2-1 up and finish the game victorious.
