Chelsea 2 - 1 Crystal Palace, Premier League: Post-match reaction

Well, Chelsea got there in the end but it turned out to be a much more hard-fought victory than one would’ve anticipated at half-time. The introduction of Wilfried Zaha at half-time gave Crystal Palace the spark they needed to try and climb back uphill; the winger breathed new life into the Eagles, looking dynamic as ever despite only just returning from an appreciable injury lay-off. Chelsea continued to create chances and somehow Giroud departed the pitch without a goal to his name, but Patrick van Aanholt’s late goal made things palpably uneasy at the death.

• Chelsea scored two scrappy goals but credit where it’s due - there were some positives at least, to take from that attacking display.
• Giroud demonstrated that he can fit the system and was very unlucky to not score today; Conte would have a real dilemma on his hands as to whom to start at the Nou Camp, had he dispatched a couple of his chances
• Willian’s display was in keeping with his form of late, hopefully it’ll carry over to mid-week as well.
• Our defence wasn’t exactly unperturbed, to put it lightly, when Palace began to press and that’s something Conte will definitely want to look at.
• Andreas Christensen was involved in yet another goal-threatening situation, which must be acknowledged but we’d do well to keep the faith. He could do with a rest, though, when David Luiz is fit.
• All said and done, we’re three points better off than we were before the game. It’d be nice if you could take a couple of points off Tottenham, AFC Bournemouth.
• We’re coming for you, Barcelona! Carefree.

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