27 December 2023 , 21:47
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Chelsea substitute Noni Madueke was the calmest player on the pitch on another night of nerves at Stamford Bridge.
England under-21 starlet Madueke, who started his career at Crystal Palace ’s academy, won and converted a last-gasp penalty as Chelsea managed to get a much-needed victory.
It was rough on Palace who were condemned to defeat and Roy Hodgson has gone eight games without a win as they are now in danger off flirting with a relegation scrap.
But referee Michael Salisbury gave the spot kick after being ordered to check his VAR screen and it wads clear Eberechi Eze had tripped Madueke on the edge of the box.
Up stepped Madueke and, after a string of missed chances and frustrations in front of the Chelsea fans, he stuttered, kept his nerve and then slotted in past Palace keeper Dean Henderson.
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Incredibly, it was only Chelsea’s fourth home win of the season in the Premier League and they are still stuck in mid table mediocrity.
But for Mauricio Pochettino, it was a precious win in a frustrating season when so little seems to be going their way.
Mykhaylo Mudryk put them ahead but Nicolas Jackson missed more chances, Christopher Nkunku struggled to impress on his first start for Chelsea and they allowed Palace back into the game.
There still does not seem a rhythm or pattern to Chelsea’s play and that must be the biggest concern while Hodgson left the pitch moaning at the officials as the pressure mounts on his position despite his team’s battling display.
Chelsea went ahead after just 13 minutes of a one-sided first half. Chelsea’s Malo Gusto turned brilliantly on the half way line, linked up with Nkunku before Gusto raced round the back to put over a low cross.
Madueke's late penalty won the game for Chelsea (Shaun Brooks/Action Plus/REX/Shutterstock)There was Mudryk on hand to fire home and, on nights like these, you can see what all the fuss was about when Chelsea signed him for £89m in the last January transfer window.
Chelsea felt aggrieved when Nkunku - making his first start after an injury-ravaged start to his career at Stamford Bridge - was about to shoot when he lost his footing as he tangled with Palace’s Chris Richards. Referee Michael Salisbury waved away the penalty appeals.
Palace levelled ion first half injury time. Richards won a hard fought challenge with Ian Maatsen, Jordan Ayew sent over a deep cross and Michael Olise cleverly peeled away from Levi Colwill before slotting home.
It was a much more even second half as Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta saw a shot well saved by Chelsea keeper Djordje Petrovic as the second half was far more even.
Jackson, one of Chelsea’s cheaper buys at £30m, missed a glorious chance and then thought he had scored before VAR ruled he was offside.
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But just as time was running out, Chelsea found a way and Madueke was their last gasp hero from the spot.