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Chelsea logo
Premier League
Aug 29, 2015 at 3pm UK
 
Crystal Palace logo

1-2

Falcao (79')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Sako (65'), Ward (81')

Live Commentary: Chelsea 1-2 Crystal Palace - as it happened

Sports Mole brings you live text commentary of the Premier League match between Chelsea and Crystal Palace.
2

Crystal Palace stunned Premier League champions Chelsea by earning a 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge.

Following a goalless first half, Bakary Sako fired the Eagles in front after his initial strike had been blocked.

Radamel Falcao then levelled for the Blues with a near-post header from Pedro's cross.

However, two minutes later the visitors retook the lead as Joel Ward headed in from close range to secure their first win at Chelsea in 33 years.

Find out how the action unfolded below.


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Hello everyone. It's turning out to be a great afternoon of Premier League action, with no less than six games taking place in the traditional 3pm slot. Here, we've probably got the pick of the bunch, as champions Chelsea welcome London rivals Crystal Palace to Stamford Bridge.

Jose Mourinho and his players have not got off to the greatest starts to the season and they went into last weekend's match against West Bromwich Albion with just one point on the board. However, an inspirational display from Pedro on his debut helped them to a 3-2 win and they will be hoping to keep that run going today.

Making the trip to Stamford Bridge this afternoon are a Palace side who have enjoyed a decent start to the campaign. They have claimed victories over Norwich City and Aston Villa, with their only defeat coming against Arsenal. The club are also into the third round of the League Cup, after a 4-1 win in extra-time over Shrewsbury Town in midweek.

I think it's about time we had a look at which players will be involved in today's match, as the team news from Stamford Bridge is out!

CHELSEA XI: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Zouma, Azpilicueta; Matic, Fabregas; Pedro, Willian, Hazard; Diego Costa

PALACE XI: McCarthy; Ward, Dann, Delaney, Souare; McArthur, Cabaye; Zaha, Puncheon, Sako; Wickham

CHELSEA SUBS: Begovic, Baba, Mikel, Loftus-Cheek, Kenedy, Remy, Falcao

PALACE SUBS: Hennessey, Mariappa, Ledley, Bolasie, Mutch, Lee, Gayle

Chelsea are without John Terry following his red card last weekend, so Gary Cahill returns to the defence to partner Kurt Zouma. Elsewhere there's a familiar look to the side, with Pedro making his home debut.

Meanwhile, there is one change made by Palace this afternoon, as Connor Wickham returns from injury to replace Glenn Murray. Bakary Sako keeps his place after scoring the winner last weekend, while Yannick Bolasie is back in the squad.

Chelsea's under-par start to the season has been well-documented and at this stage of the campaign last year they had won their opening three league games as the eventually cruised to the title. It doesn't look as if they will have it all their own way this time around, and they are already five points behind Manchester City in the table.

It was at City two weeks ago were they suffered a 3-0 defeat against their biggest rivals for the Premier League crown, after beginning their season with a 2-2 draw at Swansea City. That match against the Swans was marred by controversy, with Jose Mourinho publicly calling out his medical staff for running onto the pitch to treat Eden Hazard and leaving them down to nine men, after Thibaut Courtois had already been sent off.

The Blues were under pressure as they went into their next match against West Bromwich Albion and when they conceded an early penalty things looked like going from bad to worse. However, James Morrison saw his spot kick saved and minutes later Pedro gave Chelsea the lead with a goal on his debut.

Chelsea's Spanish midfielder Pedro (R) celebrates scoring the opening goal with Chelsea's Spanish defender Cesar Azpilicueta (2nd R) and Chelsea's Brazilian-born Spanish striker Diego Costa during the English Premier League football match between West Bro© Getty Images


They went on to claim a 3-2 victory, despite the second-half dismissal of John Terry. It was another blow for the Chelsea skipper, who has come in for some criticism for his displays in recent weeks, and had already been taken off at half time in their loss at City.

Having conceded seven goals in their opening three games, the Blues don't look as defensively solid as they did last season and they have been strongly linked with a move for Everton defender John Stones. They have reportedly seen three bids, including a £30m offer, rejected by the Toffees, but the England international has handed in a transfer request, and it would not be too much of a surprise to see him leave before the window shuts next week.

While the Blues have been unimpressive this August, it has been a different story for Palace, who have made a bright start to the campaign. They opened their season with a tricky match away to newly-promoted Norwich City, but they did just enough to earn a 3-1 win, despite a controversial disallowed goal for the Canaries.

Their next match saw them welcome Arsenal to Selhurst Park and they came under siege early on from the visitors who took the lead thanks to Olivier Giroud's fantastic strike. A fine finish from Joel Ward brought them back into the match and they hit the woodwork through Connor Wickham, but an own goal in the second half from Damian Delaney saw them slip to a 2-1 defeat.

They were at home again last week against Aston Villa and Scott Dann's header gave them the lead, before a Pape Souare own goal levelled the scores. It seemed as if the match would end in a draw, but debuant Bakary Sako rifled a strike into the corner to give them the points and keep up their good form.

Bakary Sako of Crystal Palace celebrates scoring his team's second goal with his team mate Jordon Mutch (L) during the Barclays Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Aston Villa at Selhurst Park on August 22, 2015© Getty Images


The Eagles haven't just been in league action, as on Tuesday night they played Shrewsbury in the second round of the Capital One Cup. A shock looked on the cards when Matt Tootle gave the Blues an early lead, but Dwight Gayle levelled the scores before half time. They then needed extra time to finally claim a 4-1 win over their League One opponents, and a number of their players may be feeling the effects this afternoon.

Today's fixture marks another milestone in the career of Jose Mourinho, as he will be taking charge of his 100th home league game as Chelsea manager. He has won 76 of those matches, with the only defeat coming against Sunderland in April 2014. It is also his 200th game in charge of the Blues, and no manager in Premier League history has a better record over the same number of matches.

This is a match that Chelsea have tended to dominate over the years and they have won seven of their last eight games against Palace. The Eagles have only ever won twice at Stamford Bridge, with their last win coming in the old Division Two in March 1982.

We've still got a few minutes left until kick off, so make sure you check out our video preview of today's game.


KICKOFF! We are underway at Stamford Bridge!

It has been a very promising start to the match for Palace, who are taking the game to Chelsea. They have already won a couple of corners after some strong play down the left from Sako, but the Blues have cleared both of the set pieces.

SHOTS! Down the other end of the pitch the Blues get plenty of men forward and after a neat team move, Pedro finds space and sees his low strike blocked. The ball eventually drops to Ivanovic, and the defender fancies his chances of a goal, but his strike from range flies well wide of the target.

This game has started at a great pace and it is being played at a high tempo. Palace are not content to just sit back and allow Chelsea to come onto them, and they have got into some very positions in the final third already.

Chelsea have started see a lot more of the ball in the past few minutes and they are playing it around neatly between their midfielders. They are pushing Palace back onto the edge of their own box, but the visitors are holding a solid lane and closing down the space well.

SHOT! The first shot on target of the afternoon comes from Fabregas. The midfielder picked up a loose ball around 25 yards out and fancied his chances, but his low effort from range was straight at McCarthy and caused no problems for the keeper.

SHOT! It's another effort on goal from Chelsea, but again it's disappointing. Willian had cut inside from the left and worked some space to shoot on his right foot, but his curling attempt went high over the bar and into the stands.

CHANCE! Pedro enjoyed a great debut last weekend and he has looked lively in these early stages. He shows his skill again by cutting in from the right and onto his left foot, before curling a strike towards the far corner that drops narrowly wide of the post.

Things are starting to get a little heated at Stamford Bridge and Chelsea feel that a couple of decisions have gone against them. Mourinho is first to complain to the officials when Hazard is brought down by the touchline, before Diego Costa expresses his anger after he appears to be caught by Delaney, but is not given anything by the referee.

SAVE! Sako has been a real danger down the left and he is slipped in behind Ivanovic by Zaha. He then takes a touch and fires in a low strike, but Courtois is there to turn the ball behind at his near post.

CHANCE! What a massive chance this is for Palace to take the lead. Zaha wriggles into some space on the edge of the box and lays it off to Cabaye. The Frenchman is completely unmarked and has plenty of time to measure a shot, but he ends up placing the ball straight down the middle and Courtois is able to to make the block.

SHOT! Palace look the far more dangerous of the teams going forward and Sako gets into a good position outside the box. He then looks to drill an effort into the bottom corner, but he doesn't catch the ball cleanly, and drags it well wide of the post.

The Chelsea fans are getting slightly frustrated with their team when they get into space outside the box, but fail to take a shot. Fabregas and Willian both spurn decent chances to test McCarthy, before Cahill does go for goal, and fires one high over the bar much to his manager's displeasure.

For all of Chelsea's possession in this opening half, they have not been able to create any clear cut chances. They have struggled to get in behind the Palace defence, and McCarthy has been relatively untroubled so far, making just one save from a speculative Fabregas effort.

The Blues almost create an opening five minutes before the break as Azpilicueta teases a cross towards the back post. It nearly picks out the run of Costa, but Delaney gets there just ahead of him and looks to have got a faint touch on the ball to divert it behind.

CHANCE! It's another close call for the Blues as Fabregas fires in a powerful strike that is beaten away by McCarthy. Pedro is in quickly to try and slot home the rebound, but the keeper is down quickly to make another important stop.

SHOT! Matic is not renowned for his skills on the ball, but the Serbian shows neat footwork to burst past a couple of challenges and into the box. He then looks to pick out the bottom corner, but he fails to get enough power on his strike and McCarthy makes a comfortable save.

There will be just one minuted added on before the break.

HALF-TIME: Chelsea 0-0 Crystal Palace

We've reached the halfway stage at Stamford Bridge and it's still goalless between Chelsea and Crystal Palace. The visitors had a great chance to score through Yohan Cabaye, while Cesc Fabregas and Pedro came close to breaking the deadlock at the end of the half for the Blues.

Connor Wickham of Crystal Palace and Nemanja Matic of Chelsea compete for the ball during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on August 29, 2015© Getty Images


So, how are the statistics shaping up this afternoon? Chelsea have seen plenty of the ball and they have amassed 67% of the possession. They have also had 12 shots on goal compared to five for the Eagles, but it is very much all square in West London.

Let's take a quick look at some of the scores from this afternoon's other Premier League matches. There could be a surprise on the cards at Anfield, as West Ham are 2-0 up against Liverpool. Aston Villa are beating Sunderland 2-1, West Brom are leading 1-0 against nine-man Stoke, Bournemouth have a slender lead over Leicester, while Manchester City are being held to a goalless draw by Watford.

RESTART! Palace take the kick off for the second half and get the match back underway.

It's been a sluggish start to the half for the home side, who have given the ball away cheaply on a couple of occasions. Palace have almost profited from a misplaced pass, but it was scrambled away before they could cause any danger.

What a great challenge this is by Delaney. Costa had latched onto a fine ball over the top from Hazard and burst into the box. The Brazilian was at a tight angle and looked to drive a shot across the middle, but Delaney timed his tackle to perfection to send the ball out for a corner.

CHANCE! Sako shows his skill down the left once again and beats Ivanovic to get to the byline. He then pulls it across to Wickham at the back post, but the striker is unable to adjust his feet and it bounces off him and into the arms of Courtois.

SAVE! Once again it's Sako who threatens as he picks the ball up just outside the box. The winger then drives a low effort towards the bottom corner, but Courtois gets down to palm his effort away.

SUB! Palace make the first change of the match, with Bolasie coming on for Zaha.

The Eagles have made some great tackles at the back, with Delaney again quick to stop Costa. They are also looking very dangerous on the counter and recent arrival of Bolasie should add even more threat to their attack.

At this moment in time, the man of the match has to be Delaney. He puts his body on the line to deny a fierce strike from Ivanovic, before getting up quickly to deny Zouma's low strike.

CLOSE! Costa has played well since the break and he bursts from the halfway line before laying the ball off for Pedro. The Spaniard then curls in a low drive, but it deflects narrowly wide of the post.

OFF THE LINE! From the resulting corner the Blues threaten again as Cahill rises to meet the ball, before seeing his header cleared off the line by Sako.

GOAL! Chelsea 0-1 Crystal Palace (Bakary Sako)

We may well have an upset on the cards as Palace take the lead at Stamford Bridge. A fine team move sees Bolasie slipped in down the left, before he pulls the ball across the box to Sako. The winger then sees his first attempt blocked by Azpilicueta, but the rebound drops to him kindly and makes no mistake to fire a drive into the net past Courtois.

SUB! Chelsea respond to falling behind by bringing on Falcao for Willian.

SUB! It's another change for Chelsea, as Kennedy is on to replace Azpilicueta.

CHANCE! You wouldn't rule out the visitors scoring a second goal and they come close when Souare picks out Puncheon in the box. He then tries his luck with a volley, but slices his effort wide of the target under pressure from Cahill.

YELLOW CARD! Cahill picks up the first booking of the match for a high challenge on Wickham.

YELLOW CARD! Cabaye is quickly shown a first card for the visitors.

SUB! It's a third change for the Blues, as Loftus-Cheek replaces Matic.

CHANCE! This was surely the moment for Palace to open up a two-goal lead. Sako causes more danger with a great run down the right and he looks up and sees Bolasie arriving at the back post. The Congo international is unmarked and looks set for a tap in, but he somehow fires his strike wide of the target.

CHANCE! Only one team looks like scoring at the moment, as Palace create another good opening. Bolasie works some space just outside the box and then tries to pick out the top corner, but his curling effort heads inches over the bar with Courtois well beaten.

GOAL! Chelsea 1-1 Crystal Palace (Radamel Falcao)

Chelsea were starting to wonder were a goal was coming from, but Falcao has come up with the goods to draw them level. The Colombian makes a great run to meet Pedro's cross at the near post, before steering an even better header into the corner and out of the reach of McCarthy.

GOAL! Chelsea 1-2 Crystal Palace (Joel Ward)

Would you believe it! Having just conceded Palace immediately restore their lead through the unlikely source of Ward! Bolasie's deep cross was knocked back into the middle by Sako and Ward arrived out of nowhere to power a firm header past Courtois and into the corner.

SUB! It's a change for Palace, with Ledley coming on for Cabaye.

SUB! Palace make another change, as Chung-yong replaces the impressive Sako.

The Eagles are playing some great stuff at the moment and they are still looking for another goal. They currently have the ball deep inside the Chelsea half, which is exactly where Pardew will want to see his players.

CHANCE! Chelsea almost equalise for the second time following a scramble inside the box. The ball eventually breaks to Ivanovic, who fires a low drive goalwards. Falcao then sticks out a foot to try and divert it into the corner, but he can only send it wide of the post. Moments later Fabregas tries his luck with a powerful strike, but the keeper is there to beat the ball to safety.

There are going to be five minutes of stoppage time for Chelsea to snatch a late equaliser.

SHOT! Some of the defending from the visitors has been brilliant this afternoon and Dann gets back to make a great block to deny a goalbound strike from Fabregas. They are coming under heavy pressure here and are working hard to try and see out the final minutes.

FULL-TIME: Chelsea 1-2 Crystal Palace

What a stunning result this is at Stamford Bridge, as Palace record their first win away to Chelesa in 33 years! They were good value for the three points after a superb second-half display, while the Blues will now surely come in for heavy criticism as their poor start to the season continues.

Joel Ward of Crystal Palace celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on August 29, 2015© Getty Images


Well, I'm afraid that's all we've got time for, after a great London derby. That's not the end of our live action for this evening, as Tottehnam are about to take on Everton at White Hart Lane, and you can catch that right here. I hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend. Goodbye!

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Cesar Azpilicueta of Chelsea celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the Barclays Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Chelsea at The Hawthorns on August 23, 2015
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