Crystal Palace vs Chelsea
6PM - 7/7/20
Selhurst Park, London - Premier League
This should have been a routine win for Lampard’s men. Chelsea, this season's 2nd highest scoring away team, travelled to Selhurst Park to face this seasons lowest scoring hosts, who were also winless in 3 games. A Palace comeback looked even more distant when in form Christian Pulisic put Chelsea 2 goals ahead on the half hour mark. At this point, Chelsea had controlled the game from kick-off, dominating possession and testing Palace’s defence, with Willian almost making it 3-0.
Palace, with arguably nothing to play for at this stage, being safe from the drop but outside European qualification could've dropped the heads and entered damage limitation mode early on. The Eagles found themselves on the back-foot almost immediately, after Gary Cahill suffered a nasty hamstring injury in the lead up to Giroud’s 6th minute opener. Chelsea looked to be coasting into a comfortable half-time lead before Wilfred Zaha hit a thunderous strike from distance. Kepa, under criticism after recent performances, was unable to reach the 35 yard effort. Chelsea sustained a Palace onslaught for the remainder of the half, with Christensen and Azpilicueta making individual errors, as seen vs West Ham 3 days previous.
With their defensive frailties exposed yet again, Chelsea entered the second half unchanged and seeking a third goal to attempt to put the game to bed. Barkley played a glorious cross into Giroud, which the Frenchman failed to convert, along with an even better chance 2 minutes later. Abraham soon replaced Giroud who made an instant impact, scoring his first goal since January with a cool bottom corner finish, Loftus-Cheek with a super chipped assist. Christian Benteke responded 80 seconds later by passing into an empty net, his first goal since February. Christensen failed to track Van Aanholt who squared the ball past Zouma. Chelsea’s weakness at the back was evident as they surrendered a good lead yet again, perhaps the achilles heel of Lampard’s season.
Momentum was now on Palace’s side, who enjoyed the majority of possession and were seeking an equalizer. Jorginho replaced Gilmour on 80 minutes and consolidated Chelsea’s shape immensely, improving their possession and hold up play also. Mount and Abraham missed chances to make it 4 before 5 minutes added time began. Lampard’s side were incredibly lucky to come away with 3 points after surviving Palace’s late surge. Abraham lost possession cheaply, before Zaha crossed to Kepa’s back post. An unmarked Scott Dann saw his header tipped onto the post and Loftus-Cheek cleared. One more Palace chance was to come, Benteke found himself one on one with Kepa only for Zouma to appear out of nowhere with a game-winning tackle. Frank Lampard breathed a huge sigh of relief, rather than joy as his men escaped Selhurst Park with 3 points. After 8 months, Chelsea return to third place with their Champions League ambitions in their own hands.
In the post match press conference, Lampard quickly extinguished any suggestion that Willian should have stopped play following Cahill’s season-ending injury, “any team would continue in that situation, Willian was through on goal” he explained.
Lampard also praised the impact of Pulisic, Willian and Abraham. “Christian is hugely important, he has moved his game to another level, not just in how he is going by people but there is a real end product”. The American has scored 3 league goals and provided 2 assists in 5 games. Willian continues to shine since the restart, with 4 goals and 2 assists. Lampard added that “he has been brilliant for us, he is extremely influential, with his speed, quality and how he travels with the ball”. Abraham’s match-winner will no doubt boost his confidence, following a tough period for the 22 year old. “It will be really important for Tammy as he is desperate for goals, he had not scored for a while but took it well”.
Lampard also praised Kepa and Kurt Zouma for their part in securing the 3 points. Kepa tipped Dann’s last minute effort onto the post before Zouma’s last ditch tackle denied Benteke an equaliser. “The fingertip save by Kepa was huge so credit to him. To be a top team you need keepers making those types of saves to pull you through” Lampard added. “Kurt made a great tackle and in those last moments it was nerve-wracking for us. Imposing, great defending and good on the ball, that's everything I want. I am very pleased with him” Lampard concluded with.
This Saturday evening Chelsea travel North to Bramall Lane to face Sheffield United, who are just outside the European places with 5 games remaining.