Player ratings and round-up as Chelsea stunned by Crystal Palace

Declan Warrington 21:30 14/10/2017
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Crystal Palace deservedly earned a first Premier League win of the season with a 2-1 victory over champions Chelsea.

    The hosts received a stroke of luck in scoring their first goal of the season, ending a drought of 731 minutes and five months through Cesar Azpilicueta’s own goal.

    But the excellent Wilfried Zaha struck before half-time, cancelling out Tiemoue Bakayoko’s first Premier League goal, as Palace won for the first time this season at the eighth attempt.

    TWEET OF THE MATCH

    STAR MAN

    Mamadou Sakho. In addition to winning possession and playing in Zaha for Palace’s second goal, the central defender’s influence on a significantly-improved defensive display was crucial. Their organisation compared with that under Frank de Boer is unrecognisable.

    Mamadou Sakho (L)

    Mamadou Sakho (L)

    IN WITH THE CROWD

    The international football break appeared to have given Palace’s supporters the time they needed to rediscover their faith. Their patience had been almost non-existent from the opening game of the season, but for whatever reason, on this occasion they chose to get behind their team from kick-off.

    When that is the case, they are among the country’s most vocal crowds; that they chanted “We score when we want…” when Palace finally ended their goal drought perhaps captured their improved mood.

    HIGHLIGHT OF THE MATCH

    Andros Townsend’s curling effort from 30 yards, which went only inches wide of the top right corner, demonstrated both his and his team-mates’ vastly-improved confidence. Had it gone in, it would not have flattered Roy Hodgson’s team, and may even have proved a contender for goal of the season.

    PLAYER RATINGS

    CRYSTAL PALACE

    Julian Speroni: 8
    Joel Ward: 6
    Scott Dann: 7
    Mamadou Sakho: 8
    Patrick van Aanholt: 7
    James McArthur: 7
    Yohan Cabaye: 7
    Luka Milivojevic: 7
    Jeffrey Schlupp: 7
    Andros Townsend: 7
    Wilfried Zaha: 8

    SUBS

    Jason Puncheon (for Schlupp, 75): 6
    Timothy Fosu-Mensah (for McArthur, 85): 5
    Jairo Riedewald (for Cabaye, 86): 5

    CHELSEA

    Thibaut Courtois: 5
    Cesar Azpilicueta: 6
    David Luiz: 6
    Gary Cahill: 6
    Victor Moses: 7
    Cesc Fabregas: 7
    Tiemoue Bakayoko: 6
    Marcos Alonso: 7
    Willian: 5
    Michy Batshuayi: 5
    Eden Hazard: 6

    SUBS

    Davide Zappacosta (for Moses, 40): 5
    Pedro: (for Batshuayi, 57): 7
    Charly Musonda (for Willian, 65): 5

    WHO’S UP NEXT?

    Chelsea v Roma (Champions League, Wednesday October 18)
    Newcastle v Crystal Palace (Premier League, Saturday October 21)

    Recommended